SPRING 2017 COMMENCEMENT Commencement SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2017 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 66. 6 COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER LEX GILLETTE Elexis “Lex” Gillette is the best totally blind long and triple jumper in the history of U.S. Paralympics. He is the current world record holder in the long jump, a three-time Paralympic medalist, a two-time long jump world champion, and a 16-time national champion. He is the only totally blind athlete in the world to eclipse the 22-foot barrier in the long jump. Think all of this came easy, think again. The average eight year old child can be seen riding a bicycle, shooting baskets, or playing at a nearby playground, but Lex Gillette was far from being your average child. In 1992, Gillette witnessed his eight years of sight slowly fade away due to recurrent retina detachments. Ten operations couldn’t stabilize what little sight that he had. After the final operation, Verdina Gillette-Simms, Lex’s mother, had the difficult task of telling her son that he would most likely never see again. As difficult as this was, Gillette-Simms vowed to teach her son everything that he would need to know in order to be successful in life. Today, her efforts can be seen through the excellence of her son. At 19 years of age, Gillette saw his dreams come true by winning his first silver medal in the long jump at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. Since that performance, Gillette has solidified himself as a top-notch competitor for Team USA by achieving medal winning performances at every major international competition he has attended to date. His latest achievement includes winning gold in the long jump at the 2015 ParaPan American Games that were held in Toronto, Canada. Another thing that is really impressive is that Gillette has successfully balanced education and athletics by achieving both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree while continuing to compete at a high level. He earned his bachelor’s degree in recreation management from East Carolina University and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. Gillette set his sights on the 2016 Paralympic Games with aims to make his fourth consecutive U.S. Paralympic team. Though he had a goal to win gold for the U.S.A., Gillette finished with a silver medal in the long jump. As an athlete, motivational speaker and singer/songwriter, Lex Gillette epitomizes the phrase, “No Need for Sight When You Have a Vision.” 9 ALUMNI SPEAKER .................................Ms. Yenette Perryman, Bachelor of Arts in Commencement Organizational Management, Class of ‘15 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS ...............Mr. Lex Gillette, Paralympic World Champion PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES ..........Dr. Adam Selhorst, Executive Dean, Ceremony College of Liberal Arts Dr. Jean Gabriel Jolivet, Program Chair, College of Liberal Arts Dr. Tony Farrell, Executive Dean, College of Education PROCESSIONAL ......................................Dr. Robert Engelson, Mace Bearer, Faculty Senator Dr. Stephen Halfaker, Associate Dean, College of Education Graduates, All Colleges Dr. Laura Sliwinski, Dean, College of Health, Dr. Craig Swenson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Human Services, and Science Master of Ceremonies Dr. Trevor Belcher, Associate Dean, College of Health, Dr. Laura Palmer-Noone, Chief Academic Office & Senior Human Services, and Science Vice President of Academic Affairs Mr. Robert Daugherty, Executive Dean, Dr. Richard Pattenaude, President Emeritus of Forbes School of Business & Technology Ashford University Dr. Karen Ivy, Program Chair, Forbes School of Dr. Gregory Geoffroy, Board of Trustee, Chairperson Business & Technology Dr. Peter Negroni, Board of Trustee- Chair for Academic Affairs Committee CONFERRING OF DEGREES .................Dr. Laura Palmer-Noone, Chief Academic Officer & SVP, Academic Affairs Dr. Charlie Minnick, Vice President, Campus Director Dr. William Woods, Professor and Chair for Graduate FAREWELL................................................. Dr. Craig Swenson, President Curriculum Committee, Forbes School of Business RECESSIONAL & Technology BOARD OF TRUSTEES ........................... Dr. Gregory L. Geoffroy, Chairperson Dr. Adam Selhorst, Executive Dean, College of Liberal Arts Ms. Mary Jo Maydew, Vice Chairperson Dr. Tony Farrell, Executive Dean, College of Education Dr. Craig Linebaugh Dr. Laura Sliwinski, Dean, College of Health, Human Services, and Science Dr. Geri Malandra Mr. Robert Daugherty, Executive Dean, Dr. Carol Kasworm Forbes School of Business & Technology Dr. Midge Leahy Dr. Jeffery Hall, Associate Dean, Lt. Col. Paul Aguirre Department of General Education Dr. Merle Harris Dr. Jane McAuliffe, Former Ashford University President & Executive Vice President, Chief Academic Officer, Ms. Cheryl Oldham Bridgepoint Education Dr. Al Karnig Mrs. Sheri Jones, Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning Dr. Peter Negroni & University Service, Policy & Implementation Dr. Paula Kelly Mr. Jim Smith, Senior Vice President, Finance Dr. Leila Gonzalez Sullivan Dr. Jean Gabriel Jolivet, Program Chair, College of Liberal Arts Mr. Chris Henn Dr. Stephen Halfaker, Associate Dean, Dr. Grey Edwards Jr. College of Education Dr. Trevor Belcher, Associate Dean, College of Health, Human Services, and Science Dr. Karen Ivy, Program Chair, Forbes School of Business & Technology Cords worn with academic apparel indicate recognition of membership in an honor society. Stoles worn with academic apparel indicate recognition of honors. PRESENTATION OF COLORS Students who are participating in commencement before their official graduation date are NATIONAL ANTHEM eligible to wear honor regalia, based on their current grades and standing with the University. Actual earned honors are indicated on official University transcripts. WELCOME ..................................................Dr. Craig Swenson, President WELCOME FROM THE ............................Dr. Gregory Geoffroy, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Board of Trustee - Board Chair 10 11 COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Angela Joy Schlottmann, A.A. Emily Catherine Stogdill, A.A. Andrea Johanna Weathersby, A.A. CANDIDATES FOR ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREES Amber L. Seeney, A.A. LaTonya Streeter, A.A. Dasia West, A.A. Jennifer Marie Self, A.A. Sherelle Rondrea Strickland, A.A. Tahnee Mara Wheeler, A.A. Amanda D. Agosto, A.A. Sarita Delores Ellis, A.A. Dana M. Luster, A.A. Tanya McField Sharp, A.A. Angelica Annette Strong, A.A. Jaleesa Monique White, A.A. Ebony S. Alexander, A.A. Victoria Erwin, A.A. Shantal Caprice Macklin, A.A. Kenya Joan Cephus Simmons, A.A. Yesenia Sudbrack, A.A. Cara Wilcox, A.A. Farrie Anderson, A.A. Kalha Eugene, A.A. Zainab Mahmud-Husein, A.A. Tierra S. Simms, A.A. Michelle K. Sweeney, A.A. Crystal Marie Williams, A.A. Kristy Lynn Andreasen, A.A. Jamila Latrice Farris, A.A. Erika Marie Mark, A.A. Cassandra E. Simpson, A.A. Andrea Jem Thomas, A.A. Nellie B. Williams, A.A. Shelia Kay Andrews, A.A. Danielle Michelle Fisher, A.A.