Lawrence Today magazine, Summer 2009
“Class of 2009” In a year where challenges were plentiful and the outlook uncertain, Sunday morning, June 14, was an upbeat, spirited celebration for Lawrence University’s Class of 2009. Confidence and enthusiasm ruled the day, and even the blue skies and sunny 75-degree weather seemed to belie an otherwise cool spring on campus. For 310 graduating seniors, Commencement Day was a day for savoring a job well done, for basking in the appreciation of family members and friends, and for boldly stepping into the future.
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Award-winning journalist Bob Herbert, op-ed columnist for the New York Times, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at Lawrence’s Commencement. In his remarks to the graduating seniors, Herbert urged the students to “slow down,” leave the cell phone at home on occasion, and focus on making time for those people who mean the most to them.
Herbert enjoys a career spanning both print and broadcast media. Since June 1993, he has written a twice-a-week column on politics, urban affairs and social trends for the New York Times, telling stories that give ordinary people hope and a voice. Prior to joining the Times, he spent two years as a national correspondent for NBC, reporting for “The Today Show” and “NBC Nightly News.”
Herbert is the author of the 2005 book “Promises Betrayed: Waking Up from the American Dream,” a collection of essays in which he examines the lives of ordinary citizens, minorities and children who are facing real problems in a society, he argues, that too often fails to meet the American creed of fairness and justice.
To read Herbert’s Commencement remarks visit: http://lawrence.edu/news/commencement/2009/herbert-speech.shtml
In addition to the honorary degree presented to Herbert, Virginia Purdy ’38, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, in absentia, for her work on behalf of the environment. Presented prior to Commencement Weekend by Jeff Clark, assistant professor of geology and faculty associate to the president for Green Roots™, Clark cited Purdy’s more than 60 years of environmental advocacy in Western states. “Your unwavering efforts to preserve the Powder River Basin resulted in the implementation of policies to manage coalbed methane discharge water — thereby safeguarding Wyoming’s livestock and agricultural heritage,” Clark said, reading the citation. “You were active in efforts to successfully reintroduce wolves into Yellowstone National Park. Through your participation in countless boards and committees and membership and support of environmental organizations throughout the United States, you have helped advance policy and preserve valuable natural resources.”
PROFESSOR CHANEY SHARES “FINAL EXAM” AT BACCALAUREATE
William Chaney, George McKendree Steele Professor Emeritus of History, delivered the address “College and the Final Exam” Saturday morning, during Lawrence’s annual baccalaureate service for members of the Class of 2009 and their families. A member of the Lawrence faculty for 57 years, Professor Chaney explored the relationship between academics and religion in his remarks. “I don’t know if you seniors came to Lawrence to save your souls,” Chaney said with a smile.
A scholar of English medieval history, Chaney began with a quote from Dante’s “De Monarchia,” citing earthly paradise and the bliss of eternal life as the unerringprovidence ordained for man. “’These two states of bliss,” Chaney said, quoting Dante, “like two different goals, man must reach by different ways. For we come to the first as we follow the philosophical teachings, applying them according to our moral and intellectual capacities (the role of the Lawrence University); and we come to the second as we follow the spiritual teachings which transcend human reason according to our theological capacities, faith, hope, and charity’” (the role of the Church).
To listen to professor Chaney’s Baccalaureate address, visit: www.lawrence.edu/news/featured_content/6-16-09-chaney/
FACULTY AWARDS
Lawrence recognized four members of its faculty for teaching excellence, scholarship and creative activity during the college’s 160th Commencement.
Michael Orr, professor of art history, received Lawrence’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes outstanding performance in teaching. He is one of only eight faculty members presented with both the Excellence in Teaching and Young Teacher awards in the program’s 34-year history.
Orr has served as an exhibition consultant for the J. Paul Getty Museum in Malibu, Calif., and been awarded research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the British Academy. Earlier this year, he was named one of 42 fellows of the American Council on Education. The program prepares promising senior faculty for positions in college and university administration. Orr will spend the 2009–10 academic year working with ACE leadership at Macalester College.
Bruce Pourciau, professor of mathematics, received the Award for Excellence in Scholarship, which honors a faculty member who has demonstrated sustained scholarly excellence for a number of years and whose work exemplifies the ideals of the teacher-scholar. In 2000, he was presented Lawrence’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
A member of the faculty for 33 years, Pourciau has distinguished himself as a scholar with interests spanning the areas of pure mathematics, the history of science and the philosophy of mathematics. He has earned national and international recognition for his analyses of Sir Isaac Newton’s work “Principia.”
David McGlynn, assistant professor of English, received the Award for Excellence in Creative Activity. The award recognizes outstanding creative work in advancing Lawrence’s mission.
McGlynn is the author of the 2008 book “The End of the Straight and Narrow,” a collection of nine short stories that examine the inner lives, passions and desires of the zealous, and the ways religious faith is both the compass for navigating daily life and the force that makes ordinary life impossible.
In May, the Council for Wisconsin Writers recognized McGlynn with its annual Kay W. Levin Short Nonfiction Award for his essay “Hydrophobia,” which appeared in the Missouri Review.
Andrew Mast, assistant professor of music and director of bands, received Lawrence’s Young Teacher Award in recognition of demonstrated excellence in the classroom and the promise of continued growth.
In addition to conducting the Lawrence Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band, Mast teaches courses in band history, conducting, music education and the Freshman Studies program. Under his direction, the Wind Ensemble was recognized this spring by DownBeat magazine in its annual student music awards competition as the nation’s best in the classical group division, which encompasses chamber ensembles and bands and orchestras from around the country.
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
Christine Nelson: I’ve already cried twice. Lawrence has been great. It’s been a home away from home for four years, so it’s kind of weird to be leaving. I’m originally from the East Coast and will be staying in the Midwest so I’ll be close and be able to keep in touch with people. I’m going to UW-Madison Law School.
Kyle Nodarse: I’m really excited to be done. It’s time to go. With the Internet and cell phones I can stay in touch with my friends. I have no apartment and no job, so I’m headed home, I think.
Tristan Lipe: I’ve really loved it here the past four years and I’m still kind of waiting for it to hit me. I’m doing some traveling this summer, which I’m looking forward to a lot, and then I’ll just try to find a job.
Adam Krings: I’m ready to head out, I guess. I’ll miss the good friends I made and the good times I’ve had, especially freshman year in Ormsby Hall with an incredible group of guys. I’m probably going to go to Madison.
Ted Greeley: It was a really great four years, I’ve learned a lot, I’ve grown a lot as an individual, but its also time to move on now. I’m going to Marquette Law School in Milwaukee.
Sarah Gray: I’m so excited for this day. I’ve spent three years studying biology here and the last year studying in Egypt. It’s been a great four years but I’m excited for what’s coming next. I’m going to Emory University in Atlanta for a master’s in pediatric nursing and international health.
Kelly Goss: It’s very surreal. I was all ready for this and now that it’s here, I don’t know. Everybody’s here supporting us so it’s very exciting. I’m going home to Ann Arbor for the summer, working, and then going over to Europe to teach English and then grad school after that.
Tara Harvey: It’s really hard to believe that I’m standing here when it feels like yesterday I was coming here as a freshman and finding out who my roommate was. It went much faster than I ever would have thought. I am going to graduate school at Seton Hall University for a master’s in international relations.
Gwen Kelly-Masterton: I’m going to miss my friends. My roommate is from Massachusetts so that’s a little bit far away and I’m not going to see her easily. It’s weird if I don’t see her for 24 hours because we’ve been roommates for two years. I’m going back to Chicago. I’ve got a part-time summer job gardening. I’m a theatre student and direct a lot, and I’m going to direct a Tom Stoppard play this summer starring my little brother.
