FALL 2019 COMMENCEMENT Commencement SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2019 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 In 1950, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools first accredited Mount St. Clare College. Following the accreditation, the school quickly began to expand. The sisters moved into an adjoining convent building in 1956. A new library and gym were opened a few years later. During the ‘60s, the Science Hall was opened. And in 1967, the college became coeducational. For the 1979-1980 school year, the college received approval for its first four-year degree, a Bachelor’s degree program in business administration. The following year, the Mount St. Clare Academy merged with St. Mary’s High School in Clinton, forming Mater Dei High School (now known as Prince of Peace Academy). With the space freed by the academy’s merger, the school began to offer additional four-year programs. In 1997, the sisters moved off campus into their new mother house, The Canticle. In 1998, the Durgin Educational Center was opened, which included new athletic facilities, including Kehl Arena. 6 BECOMING A UNIVERSITY In 2002, Mount St. Clare College began to offer a master’s degree program online. In conjunction with the expanded course offerings, the school changed its name to The Franciscan University, and the name of the athletic teams were changed from “The Mounties” to “The Saints.” In September 2004, the school modified its name to The Franciscan University of the Prairies in order to avoid confusion with similarly named schools. PRESIDENTS Mother Mary Paul Carrico, OSF, 1918-1921 In March 2005, the University Mother Mary Fidelis Ruddy, OSF, 1921-1924 was purchased by Bridgepoint Mother Mary Paul Carrico, OSF, 1924-1936 Education, Inc. After the Mother Mary John McKeever, OSF, 1936-1948 completion of the sale, the Mother Mary Regis Cleary, OSF, 1948-1958 institution’s name was changed Sister Mary Cortona Phelan, Ph.D., OSF, 1958-1968 to Ashford University. The school Sister Mary Cecile Devereux, OSF, 1968-1971 also dropped its affiliation with Sister Eileen Smith, OSF, 1972-1976 the Roman Catholic Church and Dr. Dan C. Johnson, 1976-1985 became a for-profit institution. Rev. Charles E. Lang, Ph.D., 1986-1991 Dr. James J. Ross, 1991-2000 Sheila Smith, 2001-2002 Dr. Michael E. Kaelke, 2002-2005 James Chitwood, MBA, 2005-2007 Dr. Jane McAuliffe, 2007-2011 Dr. Elizabeth Tice, 2011-2012 Dr. Richard Pattenaude, 2012-2016 Dr. Craig Swenson, 2016-present For more details, see the Ashford Timeline on page 60. COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER DR. ANGIE TAYLOR Dr. Angie Taylor has a long history of excellent leadership, people development, and community service. She is the president and chief executive officer for Guardian Quest, Inc., an organization specializing in providing diversity/inclusion, leadership, and organizational development training and consulting solutions for education, government, corporate, and military clients across North America. In addition to her work speaking, training, and coaching, she continues to serve her community. In December 2014, she was appointed to the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees, becoming the first African American to serve in that capacity. In January 2016, she was elected board president by her board colleagues and most recently, she was elected by the citizens in District E to serve a full four-year term beginning in January 2017. Her colleagues selected her to serve a second term as president through 2017. Regardless of her role, she is committed to adding value and making a difference. She is passionate about a few things and has intentionally positioned herself to work within those areas. Education, diversity/inclusion, leadership, and faith are the areas that she loves and those that have driven her success. Dr. Taylor holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, a master’s degree in public administration and policy and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, all from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her background is in higher education where she completed a storied 20-year career at the University of Nevada. While there, she served in several senior-level leadership positions for 17 years. Dr. Taylor has served on numerous committees, task forces, and boards for the university, the local community, and nationally. She has received many awards and recognitions for her leadership and community service, including membership in four halls of fame and inclusion on two “people to watch” lists. Dr. Taylor is a passionate, energetic presenter and has dedicated her life to making people and organizations better. She has recently wrote her first book “Leadership Matters: Lessons that Shaped My Leadership,” which is highly sought after wherever she speaks. Dr. Taylor is also an ordained minister and serves as the administerative assistant pastor at Greater Light Christian Center in Reno, Nevada. 9 Commencement Ceremony STAGE PARTY ............................................ Dr. Jim Hardy, Faculty Senator Dr. Craig Swenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Master of Ceremonies Dr. Laura Palmer-Noone, Chief Academic Officer & Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Peter Negroni, Board of Trustee, Chair for Academic Affairs Committee Dr. Grey Edwards, Board of Trustee Mr. Tyrone Smith, Board of Trustee Dr. Richard Pattenaude, President Emeritus & Professor of Political Science Dr. Angie Taylor, Commencement Speaker Mr. Olumide Onanuga, Alumni Speaker Dr. Charlie Minnick, Clinton Campus President Dr. Justin Harrison, Executive Dean, Division of General Education Dr. Laura Sliwinski, Executive Dean, College of Health, Human Services & Science Dr. Adam Selhorst, Executive Dean, College of Liberal Arts Dr. Tony Farrell, Executive Dean, College of Education Mr. Robert Daugherty, Executive Dean, Forbes School of Business & Technology Dr. Iris Lafferty, Executive Dean, College of Doctoral Studies Mrs. Sheri Jones, Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning & University Services Mr. Jim Smith, Senior Vice President, Finance Dr. Jennifer Vogal, Associate Dean, Division of General Education Dr. Pamela Hardy, Associate Dean, College of Health, Human Services & Science Dr. Genea Stephens, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts Dr. Newton Miller, Associate Dean, College of Education Dr. Avisha Sadeghinejad, Program Chair, Forbes School of Business & Technology Dr. Irene Stein, Associate Dean, College of Doctoral Studies PROCESSIONAL ........................................ Dr. Jim Hardy, Chair, Faculty Senate Executive Deans and Faculty, All Colleges College of Doctoral Studies Graduates Stage Party PRESENTATION OF COLORS NATIONAL ANTHEM 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 ALUMNI SPEAKER.................................... Mr. Olumide Onanuga, Alumni Speaker COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS ................. Dr. Angie Taylor, Motivational Speaker PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES ............Dr. Laura Sliwinski, Executive Dean, College of Health, Human Services & Science Dr. Adam Selhorst, Executive Dean, College of Liberal Arts Dr. Tony Farrell, Executive Dean, College of Education Mr. Robert Daugherty, Executive Dean, Forbes School of Business & Technology Dr. Iris Lafferty, Executive Dean, College of Doctoral Studies Dr. Pamela Hardy, Associate Dean, College of Health, Human Services & Science Dr. Genea Stephens, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts Dr. Newton Miller, Associate Dean, College of Education Dr. Avisha Sadeghinejad, Program Chair, Forbes School of Business & Technology Dr. Irene Stein, Associate Dean, College of Doctoral Studies CONFERRING OF DEGREES ................... Dr. Laura Palmer-Noone, Chief Academic Officer & SVP, Academic Affairs FAREWELL ................................................... Dr. Craig Swenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Master of Ceremonies RECESSIONAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES ............................. Dr. Gregory L. Geoffroy Dr. Craig Linebaugh Ms. Mary Jo Maydew Dr. Geri Malandra Dr. Carol Kasworm Dr. Midge Leahy Col. Paul Aguirre Dr. Merle Harris Dr. Peter Negroni Dr. Paula Kelly Dr. Leila Gonzalez Sullivan Dr. Grey Edwards Jr. Dr. Donald Bird Mr. Gordon Wishon Mr. Ty Smith Col. Earl Caleb Cords worn with academic apparel indicate recognition of membership in an honor society. Stoles worn with academic apparel indicate recognition of honors. Students who are participating in commencement before their official graduation date are eligible to wear honor regalia, based on their current grades and standing with the University. Actual earned honors