Under the Arch

278 DEGREES AWARDED DURING WINTER COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Gannon University on Sunday awarded 278 degrees during its Winter Commencement ceremony.

The graduates included four doctoral degree recipients, 173 master’s, 99 bachelor’s, and two associate’s. In addition, four students graduated summa cum laude, five magna cum laude, 11 cum laude, and two received academic honors.

In addition, two Gannon ROTC graduates, William J. Shields and Brad A. Manfredonia, were commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army during a separate ceremony.

Wilbert Bryant, deputy assistant secretary for higher education programs with the United States Department of Education, gave the keynote address. Bryant touched on a number of topics, including a renewed focus in higher education and a strengthening of the nation.

He also was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree by Gannon President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D.

As deputy assistant secretary, Bryant administers programs that serve both disadvantaged college students as well as schools with a high percentage of such students. He also oversees international education and foreign language studies programs and the Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program.

Garibaldi thanked Bryant for his inspiring message and his participation in the ceremony. Garibaldi also congratulated the graduates and told them they should be proud, on their special day, of their many accomplishments. “Today is a proud day for you and your families,” he said.

He reminded them of how the university shared in their pride. “Today is also a very happy time for the faculty and staff who have had the privilege of teaching you and working with you in many co-curricular activities,” he said. “All of us at Gannon have tried to provide you with the academic, social, physical, and spiritual growth that you will need to be great leaders … The rich experiences that you have accumulated here will serve you well in your new roles as professionals. We are confident that you will live your lives humbly, ethically, and unselfishly.”

He added, “The Bible reminds us in Proverbs that ‘One man gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. We hope that your Gannon experience has taught you how to love, how to give, and how to serve, and that you will continue that spirit of giving.”

A number of Gannon University faculty and staff participated in the ceremony.

Suzanne O’Connell, Ph.D., and Patrick O’Connell, Ph.D., served as faculty marshals.

Philip Kelly, D.A., interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, gave the Call to Commencement.

Rev. George Strohmeyer, university chaplain, gave the invocation.

Brandie M. Atkins, one of the graduates, performed the opening song, “America the Beautiful.”

Garibaldi welcomed the graduates and their families, conferred the honorary degree to Bryant, and conferred the degrees to the graduates.

Kelly and Michael J. O’Neill, dean of graduate studies, recognized the graduates.

Rev. Nicholas J. Rouch, S.T.D., vice president for mission and ministry, performed the benediction.

Following the ceremony, the university hosted a reception for the graduates and their families.

OUR FOLKS

Please remember all in your prayers as regretfully we announce the deaths of:

Shirley M. Kinney Avril, grandmother of Gannon student Megan Fisher.
Grace “Tutu” Renaud Iacobucci, mother-in-law of Julie Iacobucci of the Chaplain’s Office, and aunt of Rick Iacobucci, head baseball coach.

OUR EVENTS

Monday, January 10 – Classes resume: First day of spring semester classes.
Friday, January 14 – Faculty and Staff Community meeting: 3 p.m. in the Yehl Room.
“Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

CURRENT BIRTHDAYS

Gary Garnic. Karen Weston. Barry Brinkman. Ronald Lombard. Donna Green. Cheryl Rink. Ken Morgan. Timothy Tracy. David Eschenbach. Richard Zack. Judith Kelly. Donna Cessna. Mary Crane. Julie Hartmann. Laura Figurski. Scott Stevens. Lisa Wenner. Stan Zagorski. Britt Daehnke. Janice Sitter. Kevin Hart. Mary Sibley. Tony Fulgenzio. Michael O'Neill. Beth Shick. Jennifer Mailey. Susan Kerner. Sandy Driscoll. Celia Feldman. Rosanne Tupek. Rev. Casimir Wozniak. Thomas Lieb. James Tracy. Doug Zimmerman. Cholhok Abol. Yvonne Wright. Carol Peterson. Perry Hilburn. Stephen Haeseler. Don Holl. Joseph Dimperio.

THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE

Tuesday, December 14 – Welcome: Diocesan Clergy and Religious Advent Evening of Recollection. Thursday, December 16 – Downtown Improvement District Association Board Meeting; Wheeling Jesuit University board meeting. Friday, December 17 – Civic Coordinating Committee meeting; President’s Staff and Provost’s Council Christmas Reception.

HEARD ON CAMPUS

The office of New Student Services asks faculty and staff to encourage students to apply for positions as summer 2005 orientation advisors. Applications are available in the New Student Services office and are due by Jan. 28. For more information call ext. 7596.
Special thanks to Gannon colleagues for their assistance with recent media interview requests. Dr. Garibaldi did interviews with local television stations prior to Sunday’s commencement.
On Jan. 13, Kimberly Hajec, enrollment advisor, will visit Lancaster High School in Lancaster, N.Y., to represent Gannon in a College Planning Panel. Hajec will give five presentations in which she will outline Gannon and the admissions process and answer students’ questions.