Ashford University
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FALL 2018 COMMENCEMENT Commencement SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018 Viejas Arena, San Diego CA THE HISTORY OF ASHFORD UNIVERSITY FOUNDING The history of Ashford University begins in 1891, when Father John Murray invited the Sisters of St. Francis to help him teach students in Clinton, Iowa. By 1893, the Sisters were able to purchase some land in Clinton, on which they established their mother house and the Mount St. Clare Academy, a prep school for girls. The Academy and mother house quickly outgrew their old building. In 1910, the mother house and the academy moved into the newly constructed Mount St. Clare building. Seeing a need for teachers in Clinton County and the surrounding area, the Sisters founded Mount St. Clare College, the predecessor to Ashford University, in 1918. At that time, the Mount St. Clare Academy, College, and Convent were all housed in the same building. EXPANSION BECOMING A UNIVERSITY In 1950, the North Central In 2002, Mount St. Clare College Association of Colleges and began to offer a Master’s Schools first accredited Mount program over the internet. In St. Clare College. Following conjunction with the expanded the accreditation, the school course offerings, the school quickly began to expand. The changed its name to The sisters moved into an adjoining Franciscan University, and the convent building in 1956. A new name of the athletic teams were library and gym were opened a changed from “The Mounties” to few years later. During the ‘60s, “The Saints.” In September 2004, the Science Hall was opened. the school modified its name And in 1967, the college became to The Franciscan University of coeducational. the Prairies, in order to avoid confusion with similarly named For the 1979-1980 school year, schools. PRESIDENTS the college received approval Mother Mary Paul Carrico, OSF, 1918-1921 for its first four-year degree, a In March 2005, the University Mother Mary Fidelis Ruddy, OSF, 1921-1924 Bachelor’s program in was purchased by Bridgepoint Mother Mary Paul Carrico, OSF, 1924-1936 business administration. The Education, Inc. After the Mother Mary John McKeever, OSF, 1936-1948 following year, the Mount St. completion of the sale, the Mother Mary Regis Cleary, OSF, 1948-1958 Clare Academy merged with St. institution’s name was changed Sister Mary Cortona Phelan, PhD, OSF, 1958-1968 Mary’s High School in Clinton, to Ashford University. The school Sister Mary Cecile Devereux, OSF, 1968-1971 forming Mater Dei High School also dropped its affiliation with Sister Eileen Smith, OSF, 1972-1976 (now known as Prince of Peace the Roman Catholic Church and Dr. Dan C. Johnson, 1976-1985 Academy). With the space freed became a for-profit institution. Rev. Charles E. Lang, PhD, 1986-1991 by the academy’s merger, the Dr. James J. Ross, 1991-2000 school began to offer additional Sheila Smith, 2001-2002 four year programs. Dr. Michael E. Kaelke, 2002-2005 James Chitwood, MBA, 2005-2007 In 1997, the sisters moved off Dr. Jane McAuliffe, 2007-2011 campus into their new mother Dr. Elizabeth Tice, 2011-2012 house, The Canticle. In 1998, the Dr. Richard Pattenaude, 2012-2016 Durgin Educational Center was Dr. Craig Swenson, 2016-present opened, which included new athletic facilities, including Kehl Arena. For more details, see the Ashford Timeline on page 59. 6 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER DR. EMAD RAHIM Dr. Emad Rahim is an award-winning author, educator, entrepreneur, Fulbright Specialist and TEDx Speaker. His story, which includes being a survivor of the Cambodian Killing Fields, was turned into the short documentary “Against the Odds.” The film was a 2016 Bronze Award Winner at the F.A.M.E.’US International Film Festival and adapted into a Syracuse Stage theater production titled ‘Tales from the Salt City,’ which is an extension of the acclaimed Undesirable Elements series written by celebrated playwright and Presidential National Medals of Arts Award recipient, Ping Chong. Dr. Rahim has been featured in the Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine, IntelligentHQ, World Class Magazine, The Post Standard, VICE, Rutgers’ The Humanist and CEO Magazine, and he has been interviewed on the BBC, NPR, StoryCorps, PBS and multiple podcast shows. He authored Resilience: From Killing Fields to Boardroom and co-authored The Inclusive Leader: An Applied Approach to Diversity, Change, and Management and Foundations of Social Responsibility and Its Application to Change. Dr. Rahim has earned advanced post-doctoral credentials from Harvard University, Tulane University, and the University of Maryland/UC. He has a Doctorate of Management and two graduate degrees in business from Colorado Tech, and he completed his undergraduate education at SUNY Empire State College. Among many honors and prestigious accolades received over the years, in 2017, Dr. Rahim was awarded an honorary degree from SUNY Onondaga Community College (OCC), was one of only five recipients of the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award issued by the American Association of Community Colleges, and was honored with the John H. Mulroy Founder’s Award by OCC’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Rahim currently serves as the Kotouc Family Endowed Chair and Professor at Bellevue University, and Training Consultant at Cornell University. 9 Commencement Ceremony PROCESSIONAL ......................................Dr. William Woods, Mace Bearer, Faculty Senator ALUMNI ADDRESS .................................Beth Peter, Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Class of ‘16 Graduates, All Colleges Dr. Craig Swenson, President & Chief Executive Officer, COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS ...............Dr. Emad Rahim, Master of Ceremonies award-winning author, educator, entrepreneur Dr. Laura Palmer-Noone, Chief Academic Officer & PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES ..........Dr. Adam Selhorst, Executive Dean, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs College of Liberal Arts Dr. Peter Negroni, Board of Trustee, Dr. Tony Farrell, Executive Dean, College of Education Chair for Academic Affairs Committee Dr. Laura Sliwinski, Executive Dean, , Dr. Richard Pattenaude, College of Health, Human Services, and Science President Emeritus of Ashford University Dr. Jorge Cardenas, Associate Dean, Dr. Emad Rahim, Commencement Speaker Forbes School of Business & Technology Dr. Charlie Minnick, Clinton Campus President CONFERRING OF DEGREES .................Dr. Laura Palmer-Noone, Dr. Adam Selhorst, Executive Dean, Chief Academic Officer & SVP, Academic Affairs College of Liberal Arts Dr. Tony Farrell, Executive Dean, College of Education FAREWELL ................................................. Dr. Craig Swenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Laura Sliwinski, Executive Dean, College of Health, Master of Ceremonies Human Services, and Science RECESSIONAL Dr. Jorge Cardenas, Associate Dean, Forbes School of Business & TechnologyTM BOARD OF TRUSTEES ........................... Dr. Gregory L. Geoffroy Dr. Justin Harrison, Executive Dean, Dr. Craig Linebaugh Division of General Education Ms. Mary Jo Maydew Dr. Jeremy Moreland, Provost, University of the Rockies Dr. Geri Malandra Mrs. Sheri Jones, Senior Vice President, Dr. Carol Kasworm Strategic Planning & University Services Dr. Meredyth Leahy Mr. Jim Smith, Vice President, Finance Colonel Paul Aguirre Dr. Jodi Feikema, Associate Vice President, New Programs & Curriculum Operations Dr. Merle Harris Dr. Pamela Hardy, Associate Dean, Ms. Cheryl Oldham College of Health, Human Services, and Science Dr. Peter Negroni Dr. Eric Klein, Dean, Honors College Dr. Paula Kelly Dr. Jeffery Hall, Associate Dean, Dr. Leila Gonzalez Sullivan Division of General Education Dr. Grey Edwards Jr. Dr. Allison Rief, Associate Dean, College of Education Dr. Barbara Zorn-Arnold, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts Dr. Kenneth Edick, Associate Dean, Cords worn with academic apparel indicate recognition of membership in an honor society. Forbes School of Business & Technology Stoles worn with academic apparel indicate recognition of honors. Students who are participating in commencement before their official graduation date are PRESENTATION OF COLORS eligible to wear honor regalia, based on their current grades and standing with the University. NATIONAL ANTHEM Actual earned honors are indicated on official University transcripts. WELCOME ..................................................Dr. Craig Swenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Master of Ceremonies WELCOME FROM THE ............................Dr. Peter Negroni, Board of Trustee, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair for Academic Affairs Committee 10 11 COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Tiara Dynae Lekeshe Robinson, A.A. Cassandra Rose St. Clair, A.A. Patria R. Wells, A.A. CANDIDATES FOR ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREES Vanessa Nicole Rochon-Tierney, A.A. LaKesha Shantae Stallworth McCants, A.A. Shcoma Wells, A.A. Amanda Marie Rohrback, A.A. Miranda Stewart, A.A. Amber N. Westad, A.A. Araevia Alexis Alexander-Little, A.A. Efrocyne Mae Dillon, A.A. Jenai Lynel King, A.A. Stephanie Rosario, A.A. Shyann M. Stover, A.A. Brenda L. White, A.A. Lori Michiko Allen, A.A. Tina Marie Dixon, A.A. Robert A. Lane, A.A. Tabitha Yvette Rosario, A.A. Tiara C. Strong, A.A. Lashay M. Wilborn, A.A. Barbara H. Ambers, A.A. Christie Jane Dollar, A.A. Serena C. LaPonsie, A.A. Lisa Jennings Roten, A.A. Gloria Osei Taylor, A.A. Katelyn Elizabeth Wilkinson, A.A. Tiffany Nicole Angton, A.A. Melonie R. Dominguez, A.A. Alysha M. Lee, A.A. Jessica Hailey Rueger, A.A. Charlie L. Thebeau, A.A. Breanne Marie Williams, A.A. Ashley Renee Aragon-Ojeda, A.A. Pamela Cherie Donahoe, A.A. Kendra Michelle Lee, A.A. Samantha Lauren Salomon, A.A. Druscilla Faith Thomas, A.A. Karen W. Williams, A.A. Carolina Burrola Azcarraga, A.A. Belinda L. Donaldson, A.A. Kiri C. Lee, A.A. Megan M. Sandlin, A.A. Jessica Emmaculate Thompson, A.A. Kelsey Jo Williams, A.A. Shanell E. Bailey, A.A. Kim Marie Douglas, A.A. Chelsea A. Lopez, A.A. Latanya M. Saunders, A.A. Devin L. Turner, A.A. Melissa K. Williams, A.A. Caylie A. Baker, A.A. Lakeshia Dashae Draper, A.A. Patricia Lopez, A.A. Jessica Ann Scates, A.A. Caroline Valdez, A.A. TiAnna L. Williams, A.A. Zapporah Barbour, A.A. Latonya D. Fair, A.A. Lisa Ott Lucas, A.A. Audriena Marie Schwartz, A.A. Veronica Velez, A.A.