After rain and more rain this spring, the skies cleared May 17 and temperatures eased into the 70s for
Graceland's 112th Commencement Convocation. Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge addressed our newest alumni and sent them forth into an uncertain world buoyed in hope because of their determination and spirit of service. (A smiling graduate Terra Paialii is at right)
President John Sellars welcomed nearly 3,000 friends of the university to the Eugene and Julia Travis Closson Athletic Center. The president awarded Richard ‘Dick' Resch '58 an honorary doctorate degree. It is Dick's generosity that helped fund the Resch Science and Technology Hall, scheduled to open this fall.
Students from 46 states and 13 countries joined the ranks of GU alumni - a total of 775 degrees were conferred. Undergraduate degrees in 43 majors totaled 427. Masters degrees in eight majors totaled 348. Professor Emeritus status was conferred upon Bill Juhnke and Bob Farnham.
VP for Student Life and Dean of Students Tom Powell presented 2009 Student Life Awards to Lisa Ash and Allie Petrie at Baccalaureate. The award is given annually to seniors who have made significant contributions to the university community and exhibited excellence in academics, leadership, service and co-curricular involvement. (Dean of Students Tom Powell honors Student Life Award winners Lisa Ash, left, and Allie Petrie)
Lisa is an Elementary Education major with minors in Peace Studies, Psychology and Religion. Tom described her from nomination papers as having an infectious positive outlook and endless energy. Lisa was described as friendly, alive, dynamic and caring. She is a tremendous person, one who has consistently demonstrated her strong abilities as a scholar, writer, and communicator, other nominations said. Lisa is credited as a guiding force with Outreach International Club which has raised nearly $100,000 in the last three years. Lisa did a portion of her student teaching in New Zealand.
Allie is an Art and Visual Communication major with a minor in Spanish. Tom described her from nomination papers as a selfless student, helping and supporting her cohorts at every turn. He said she is life affirming, waking each day wondering how she can have a positive impact on the world. Her teachers and fellow students said they looked forward to seeing her each day. One person wrote, "Allie has the capacity to, at any given moment, make you feel like you are the most important person in the world." She did a portion of her student teaching in Spain.
Dr. Brian J. White received the Alumni Association's 2009 Excellence in Teaching Award. White teaches English and is faculty sponsor for the student newspaper, The Tower. Alumni Board of Directors President Michael Lewis noted White's "sensitivity to the world around him that inspires him to include issues of sustainability in all of his classes." White has published scholarly articles in eight professional journals and made 20 presentations at professional meetings around the country. (Michael Lewis, left, presents Brian White with the Excellence in Teaching Award)
The award comes with a golden apple and $1,000 for professional development. White earned a B.A. in English and Theatre from Graceland in 1992; a Masters of Science, British and Commonwealth Studies from Utah State University in 1995; and a Ph.D. in English from the University of North Dakota in 2000. About himself, White said he tries to "engage students in a critical awareness of their existence in our shared world."
