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Westminster College Confers Degrees to Over 320 Graduates

Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007

More than 320 students earned diplomas during the 153rd annual Westminster College commencement ceremonies Saturday.

The ceremony began with baccalaureate service at 10:30 a.m. in Orr Auditorium. The Rev. Dr. William Jackson, interim pastor at the Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster and 1957 Westminster graduate, spoke about "How Do We Go From Here?" The service included music by Kathryn Miller, adjunct instructor; a welcome from Westminster College President R. Thomas Williamson; prayers by Father Phillip Farrell of St. Camillus Church; and scripture readings by the Rev. James Mohr II, college chaplain.

While waiting for the graduates to appear, parents and friends were treated to music by the Westminster College Faculty Brass Quintet. Bagpiper Donald Wallace, 1974 Westminster graduate, led the grand march and Dr. Nancy Zipay DeSalvo, assistant professor of music, played "Pomp and Circumstance."

Welcoming remarks were made by Debora Foster, chair of the Westminster Board of Trustees and 1974 Westminster graduate, and Westminster College President R. Thomas Williamson.

After receiving an honorary doctor of public service degree, Dr. Dianne Aronian, a 1962 Westminster graduate, former Westminster College Trustee, and world-renowned ophthalmologist, spoke about "A Philosophy for Life" to the class of 2007.

Her speech told of two men whose advice she still follows. First is the advice of Joseph Campbell, professor of humanities at Sarah Lawrence College who told her to "Follow Your Bliss." The second was Dr. Will Orr, president of Westminster College from 1949 to 1967 who told her, "It's not IQ, it's I will!"

"You may ask how do you know when you have found your bliss," Aronian said. "I can tell you that you will know because it's like falling in love. You will think about it night and day. You'll be obsessed by it. You might not have found it yet. Be patient and be alert for it and when you recognize it, go for it with all your will. Remember, it's not IQ it's I will.

"Most important look for and try to find the beauty in everyone you encounter in life. You will be a happier person for it."

Westminster's commencement would not be complete without recognizing its faculty.

Distinguished Faculty Award
Dr. William L. Johnson
, professor of physics who has been with Westminster since 1971, was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and his master's and Ph.D. from the United States Naval Postgraduate School. While at Westminster, Johnson was chair of the Department of Physics for 25 years. Two of Johnson's experiments have been conducted on NASA shuttle missions. Nominations came from not only faculty and alumni, but students as well.

A letter of recommendation signed by all current physics and 3-2 engineering majors stated: "A dry professor can shrivel the interest of even the most eager physics major. Dr. Johnson, however, conveys his enthusiasm, and it is infectious. It is difficult for anyone interested in physics to avoid being drawn into Dr. Johnson's lectures."

Many other former students shared stories of "Dr. J" spending countless hours outside of class helping them and helping them throughout graduate school and professional careers.

Johnson was also awarded professor of physics emeritus status.

The Distinguished Faculty Award is given to the faculty member who has, over a sustained period of time, demonstrated characteristics of the most outstanding faculty - intellectual vitality, effective communication skills, the ability to motivate or inspire compassion and concern for student success, collegiality, and leadership.

Nicholson Honored with Emeritus Status
B. Eugene Nicholson,
who has been with Westminster College since 1969, was awarded professor of physical education emeritus status. He earned his undergraduate degree from Slippery Rock University and his master's from Westminster College. A three-time President's Athletic Conference (PAC) coach of the year, he served as the head football coach from 1991-1998, which included an undefeated regular season in 1992 and a record sixth national NAIA Division II national championship. He was also awarded National Coach of the Year by the American Football Quarterly in 1994. Nicholson has coached Titan football, golf, track, swimming, and wrestling teams to nearly 1,000 wins in his 38-year career.

Senior class speaker Stephanie Martin, an elementary education major from Claysville, delivered the senior class speech, "Who I am Makes Who I've Been."

"Whether we want it to or not, everything that happens in our past affects our present and our future in some fashion. Every choice we make today affects our life tomorrow," Martin said. "Let us hope that we make decisions that we will be proud of tomorrow, not just for ourselves, but for others."

Commencement highlights are available at www.titanradio.net.