Two graduation weekends marked the end of the 2024 Fall and the 2025 Spring semesters — and exciting new beginnings.
July 23, 2025 | Jennifer Smith
Kathleen “Paco” Cadman (pictured with President Shrock) described her journey to the podium at the December ceremony, noting that sometimes the weird and windy paths we’re on are more about “the cool connecting bits, or shortcuts, or detours along the way.”
The conclusion of the Fall and Spring semesters was marked by tears and cheers in many languages, inspiring speeches, joyful celebrations of accomplishment, moments of introspection and retrospection, and excitement over what comes next.
“While Graceland is a university … it’s also so much more than that. It’s an experience. It becomes a part of the fabric of who each of us are and who we will continue to become. We get to carry that part of us forward into everything that that we do. We get to share it with every person that we meet, and we get to honor it within ourselves.”
KATHLEEN “PACO” CADMAN, PhD, ’02
With the 128th graduating class, a promising, exceptionally talented and ambitious new cohort of Graceland graduates was sent out into the world to make all the difference. At the same time, colleagues who had coined their own little Graceland era were sent off into their well-earned retirement (for now), visiting family members were affirmed they had made the right choice for their fledgling student, returning alumni were again reminded of this special place in their life — and at least one faculty member from the Lamoni campus headed straight for the golf course, also highly deserved.
Every single graduate who walked the Community of Christ Auditorium and Morden Center stages — be it as a legacy student or having just started a new Graceland legacy — can be extremely proud of all the big and small accomplishments culminating in their Graceland degree. The greatest lesson they all shared was that sticking with it and not giving up can lead to such a pivotal, proud moment.
Charlie Conway shared valuable lessons woven into his life experiences at the April commencement.
The December commencement address was delivered by Kathleen “Paco” Cadman, PhD, ’02. With her rich expertise in rural health, Cadman leads the highly anticipated resident Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that is launching in Lamoni this fall (read more here).
Charlie Conway, PhD, ’84 addressed the graduating class at the April commencement. Retired as Chief Scientific Officer of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Pfizer Inc., Conway is a neuroscientist who pioneered migraine treatments.
Fall 2024 Commencement images | Spring 2025 Commencement images
Stephanie Jacques, DNP
Assistant Professor of Nursing
for sharing her passion for the specialty of critical care nursing, her outstanding student rapport, and continuously advancing her teaching methods.
James Geiselman, DC
Associate Professor of Allied Health
for blending classroom excellence with real-world relevance, ensuring the academic success of student athletes, and leading the Resch Scholars program.
Kevin Brunner, PhD, ’86
Professor of Information Technology, Ackerley Scholars Director
for leading as chair and coach, mentoring Ackerley scholars, and organizing high-impact STEM outreach activities.
Ioseb “Soso” Gabelaia, PhD, ’10
Interim Chair of Humanities, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
for elevating Graceland’s academic profile around the globe with prolific international publications, presentations and research cooperations.
Faculty emeriti (left to right) Kevin Brunner, Jack Ergo, and Dan Pratt pose together after being acknowledged on stage.
These faculty were conferred Professor Emeritus status:
Kevin Brunner, PhD, ’86
Professor of Information Technology, Ackerley Scholars Director
for his legacy of service and leadership in academics and student life since 1998.
Jack Ergo, MM
Associate Professor of Music, Piano/Harpsichord Orchestral Studies
for personifying the Music department — training, accompanying, and mentoring music students since 2001.
Daniel Pratt, PhD, ’81
Professor of Chemistry, Dan & Alice Waite Endowed Chair for the Sciences
for preparing students for successful careers in science and healthcare as both teacher and leader since 1999.
Watch on-demand videos of the ceremonies:
Fall 2024 | Spring 2025
Features – Spring / Summer 2025
July 23, 2025
At Graceland University, student success is more than a diploma. It’s a story.
