Administration

Communications

Dr. Fox to speak as 141 graduate May 9
Thursday, April 16, 2009

CANTON, Mo. - Culver-Stockton College will present diplomas to 141 students in ceremonies on Saturday, May 9. The 153rd Annual Commencement will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Charles Field House.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
William L. Fox, outgoing president of Culver-Stockton College will deliver the commencement address. Dr. Fox, who came to the C-SC campus just days after it was hit by a tornado in 2003, has led the college in development of a 10-year strategic plan and a new master plan. Under his leadership, the college also increased its endowment, balanced the budget, and introduced the new EXP@CSC, curriculum in Fall 2008. Dr. Fox announced last November that he would be leaving Culver-Stockton at the end of the current academic year to become the 18th president of St. Lawrence University, his alma mater.

STUDENT SPEAKER
Culver-Stockton graduating senior, Megan Christy, a senior communication major, has been selected to speak on behalf of the Class of 2009. Christy is the daughter of Rex and Jeanne Christy of Vinton, Iowa. During the recent C-SC Honors Convocation, she received the Phi Eta Sigma Book Award, as a senior with the highest grade point average over four years, and the J. David Bursewicz Senior Scholarship Award in recognition of her academic achievements. She also received the Outstanding Graduate in Communication Award. Christy, a member of Chi Omega, is a member of the Classy ‘Cats dance team; plays on the women’s golf team; is advertising manager for the student newspaper, “The Megaphone;” and is active in C-SC theatre.

FACULTY AWARDS
During commencement, Culver-Stockton also will announce and honor the faculty members who have been selected to receive the 2009 Reuling Prize and the 2009 Helsabeck Prize for Teaching Excellence. The Reuling Prize honors former C-SC president Walter S. Reuling, who died in March 2008, and goes to a faculty member selected by his or her peers. The Helsabeck Prize is awarded annually to a faculty member selected by a committee of students, faculty and staff from submitted nominations. Both prizes honor teaching excellence.

LOGISTICS
Seating in the Charles Field House is on a first-come, first-served basis on May 9, with doors opening at 7:30 a.m. Handicapped seating will be available, but those who need other special accommodations are asked to contact the Registrar’s Office at 573-288-6330. A shuttle service will be available from parking lots at the Comfort Inn, County Market, and Nichols Field (baseball).
A continental breakfast will be available from 8 to 9:15 a.m. in the dining hall of the Gladys Crown Center. Following commencement, there will be a reception for graduates, families, and friends on the lower patio of the Gladys Crown Center.

NURSE PINNING
Seniors also will be honored at other activities during the week. Pins will be presented to graduates of the nursing program, a partnership between Culver-Stockton College and the Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing, at 2 p.m., Friday, May 8, in Madison Park Christian Church, Quincy.

BACCALAUREATE
Baccalaureate is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, in Alexander Campbell Auditorium. Carol F. Mathieson, C-SC professor of music, will be the baccalaureate speaker. Dr. Mathieson earned her bachelor’s degree at Maryville College and her master’s in music at the University of Tennessee. She earned her doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Iowa. She joined the Culver-Stockton faculty in 1975 and was awarded tenure in 1984. Previously, she taught music as Blount County Schools in Maryville, Tenn., and at Damavand College, Tehran, Iran. She not only teaches music but directs the annual opera workshop as well. She also is active with the Canton Area Arts Council.

Media: Please contact the Culver-Stockton Communications Office if you have questions about commencement or graduating seniors’ activities: mheaton@culver.edu or 573-288-6312.