Westminster College Celebrates Commencement May 14
Posted on Friday, May 6, 2005
More than 340 students are expected to earn diplomas Saturday, May 14, during the 151st annual Westminster College commencement ceremonies. The 2004-2005 academic year will conclude with a baccalaureate service at 10:30 a.m. in Orr Auditorium and commencement at 2:30 p.m. on the Senior Terrace of Old main.
The Rev. David G. Dawson, executive presbyter for the Shenango Presbytery, will speak about "Continuing the Journey, The Cost of Living" at the baccalaureate. The service includes music by College Organist Dr. Elizabeth Harrison and the Westminster College Senior Choir, a welcome from Westminster College President R. Thomas Williamson, and prayers and scripture readings by Keturah Laney, chapel assistant.
Music for commencement includes the prelude by the Westminster College Faculty Brass Quintet, the Grand March by 1974 Westminster graduate Donald E. Wallace on the bagpipes, 1945 Westminster graduate Dr. Paul Musser on the carillon, and the processional by Chair of the Westminster College Music Department Dr. Nancy Zipay DeSalvo.
The service will feature three speakers who will share "words of wisdom" with the graduates after receiving their honorary degrees.
Dr. Jerry M. Boone, senior consultant for Sims & Steel Consulting, will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina, his master's from the University of Alabama, and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. He has served as a high school English teacher in Mobile, Ala., dean of student affairs and associate professor of English at Pfeiffer College, dean of student affairs and interim president of Westminster College, and president of Ferrum College.
Boone is a executive member of the University Senate of The United Methodist Church, the American Council of Education, the National Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities of the United Methodist Church, the Appalachian College Association, the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, the Association of Educational Institutions of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, and Southern Association for College Student Affairs.
Boone resides in North Carolina with his wife, Shirley. They have two grown children, Derrick and Erin, and enjoy three grandchildren.
Jack B. Hoey, retired president and CEO of The People's Natural Gas Company, a will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service. A graduate of the College of William and Mary, he continued his studies at the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University, Columbia University, Harvard University, and the American Management Association. He was chairman of the Board of Trustees at Westminster from 1984-87.
During his career, Hoey served as chairman of The Pennsylvania Gas Association, The Pennsylvania Economy League, Youth Guidance Inc., and The Brothers' Brother Foundation; as vice president of Penn's Southwest Association, The Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, and The United Way of Southwest Pennsylvania; as director of the Duquesne Club, Equibank and Michael Baker Corporations and North Hills Passavant and Mercy Hospitals. He continues to travel extensively in support of missionaries and Christian mission organizations worldwide.
Hoey and his wife of 50 years, Mary Jane, reside in North Carolina. They are the parents of six children and enjoy 21 grandchildren.
Mabel Kocher, retired associate professor, librarian emerita, and curator of special collections at Westminster College, will receive an honorary Doctor of Literature. She earned her undergraduate degrees from Westminster College and Carnegie Library School, and her master's in library science from Western Reserve University. She served as a substitute teacher in various schools, an assistant librarian in the Sewickley Public Library, and then at Westminster's McGill Library from 1942 until she retired in 1975.
While at Westminster, Kocher saw many changes in McGill Library including moving the main desk from the second floor to the first, the addition to the building, the beginning of computers and electronic services, and the continued growth of the collection. After Kocher retired, she continued her volunteer church work and enjoyed a number of trips abroad to Europe, China, Russia, Australia, South America, and mission trips with the Shenango Presbytery. Her continued work with the special collections at McGill Library, includes publications of alumni of Westminster College.
Kocher resides at the Shenango on the Green in New Wilmington, where she enjoys the company of many friends. She remains active in the Third Presbyterian Church in New Castle as an elder, church librarian, and Sunday school teacher.
The class of 2005 has chosen Sandra Edmiston, an English major from New Wilmington, as the senior class speaker. She is a daughter of John and Kathleen Edmiston and a graduate of Wilmington Area High School.
The service will conclude with greetings from Associate Professor of English Dr. Ross Wastvedt, Dean of the College Dr. Jesse Mann, President Williamson, and Chairman of the Alumni Council Ronald Hustwit, Sr.
In case of rain, ceremonies will be held at the Memorial Field House. Contact the Academic Dean's Office at (724) 946-7122 for more information.
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