Roger Williams University DOCS@RWU Commencement Programs RWU Archives and Special Collections 5-23-2009 Commencement Program, 2009 Roger Williams University Follow this and additional works at: https://docs.rwu.edu/commencement_programs Part of the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation Roger Williams University, "Commencement Program, 2009" (2009). Commencement Programs. 40. https://docs.rwu.edu/commencement_programs/40 This Program is brought to you for free and open access by the RWU Archives and Special Collections at DOCS@RWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Commencement Programs by an authorized administrator of DOCS@RWU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY 2009 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY 2((])((])9 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Graduate: Welcome back to the tent! It seems hard to believe that it was just a few years ago that I welcomed you to Roger Williams University at freshman Convocation. And while much of the tradition and ceremony seems the same - the marching, caps and gowns, speeches, cheering and tears - much more has changed. The University has grown tremendously in your time here, both physically and in reputation. We have earned our place regionally, nationally and internationally as a respected name in a variety of academic disciplines. We have been engaged in the world through the articulation of our core values - love of learning, preparation for future careers and study, student­ faculty research, service, a global perspective and civil discourse. In many ways our transformation can be attributed to students like you, who have carried those values with you in your journeys. And while you may never take a class in Global Heritage Hall or live in the comfortable rooms in our new residence hall, know that the transformation of our campus is your legacy and that you will forever be welcome as a member of our community. During your years at Roger Williams, you have changed as well. You have heard dynamic speakers such as Christopher Hitchens, Jhumpa Lahiri, Lou Dobbs and Doris Kearns Goodwin. You and your classmates have set records by studying abroad in larger numbers and in more countries than your predecessors and by logging the most community service hours this University has ever seen. Some of you stood up against genocide in Sudan, presented scholarly papers with faculty, won conference championships or traveled to Washington, D.C., with an armful of self-produced videos to teach the world how to be "green." Be proud. You have accomplished a great deal here. And if the past four years are any indication, you will do much more in the years ahead. Congratulations on this milestone of graduation, and I wish you luck in the years to come. It is a turbulent world out there, but you are well prepared. And I hope that - no matter where your life, career, travels and commitment to serve others takes you - you remember the important role that Roger Williams University and our faculty, staff and students played in helping you find your way there. Sincerely, R) 9 ~. P'--0 Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D. CLASS OF 2009 COMMENCEME T SATURDAY THE TWENTY-THIRD OF MAY TWO THOUSAND AND NINE ORDER OF EXERCISES PROCESSIONAL HONORARY DEGREE MARSHALS Pipes and Drums by Donnybrook RECIPIENTS Grand Marshal Ibrahim Arikan Professor Robert Blackburn NATIONAL ANTHEM C/wirmon, Arikanli /lo/ding Faculty Marshal Leslie Joy Rumanoff '09 Doc/orof 1-IunwneLetlers Professor Mel A. Topf PRESIDENT'S CORE VALUES MEDALLION I lonoris Causa Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences The President's Core Values Medallion was established in 2007 to recognize those graduating seniors INVOCATION Laura Ann Bourgeois '09 rhe Rev. Dr. Thomas P. Sullivan Jerrold L. Lavine Gabel Ii School of Business who best exemplify the core values of Roger Williams University. The students awarded this honor have University Mu/1i-fc1rthClrnp/c,in Clwimwn and CEO, The Freeman Group, Ltd. Daniel Benjamin Kending '09 truly embraced the University's core values: love of learning as an intrinsic value; preparation for careers Doeror of BlisinessManagement School of Continuing Studies I lonoris Causa and future study; collaboration of students and faculty in research; commitment to community PRESIDING Deborah H. Moye-Fuller '09 service; appreciation of global perspectives; and promotion of civil discourse. Laura Niesen de Abruna, Plt.D. School of Justice Studies The Honorable Jack Reed Se11iorVice President a11dProvost Michael David I loffshire '09 United Swtes Senator Roger \Vi/Iiams U11ivers1ry Doctor of PublicService School of Architecture, Art and Historic The University President, working in concert with each of the schools, selected the I lonoris Causa Preservation STUDENT ADDRESS Presidential Award honorees. Honorees will be presented with a unique medallion - depicting the Caitlin Beatrice Frumcric '09 Patrick M. Mel lcffei '09 core values - framed in a commemorative keepsake. The medallion is identical to the one worn by Joan Countryrnan School of Education EduC(Jtor I lilary Frances Wehner '09 President Nirschel as part of his presidential Commencement regalia. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Dow,,-of Education School of Engineering, Computing and Roy J. Nirschel, Ph.D. I lonoris Causa Construction Management Please congratulate the award recipients. Pn:.\iden1,Roger Willio111s Uni\/ersity Michael Scott Peixoto '09 crndSrliool of Lmv KEYNOTE COMMENCEME T SPEAKER COLOR BEARERS Erin Leslie Blackbird - School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation PRESENTATION OF Joan ountryrnan Ashley Saunders '10 PRESIDENT'S CORE Vice President,Student Se11are '09-'10 Susan Ann Muszynski - School of Continuing Studies VALUES MEDALLIONS CONFERRING OF GRADUATE & Bryan Dunn '12, President Roy). Nirschel, Ph.D. UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES S1uclen1Se,wte Treasltrer '09-'10 Jana Heath Clark - School of Education John J. King, Ed.D. Laura Niesen de Abruna, Ph.D. Nicole Foti '11 Vier Pre"de111 ofS1,u/e111Affairs Student Senate Trec1st1rer'08-'09 Matthew Noel Muhlenkamp - School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management RECESSIONAL PRESENTATIONOF HONORARY Pipes and Drums by Donnybrook CLASS BANNER CARRIERS Heather Lynn Klink - Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences, Humanities and Performing Arts Division DEGREE CANDIDATES AND Renee A. Bilotti CONFERRING OF HONORARY RECEPTION Presiden,, Class of '09 Eileen Katherine Evans - Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences, Marine and Natural Sciences Division DEGREES Following CommenccmerH, all attendees Lindsey Ann Spinella Chairman Richard L. Bready 'oSI I arc invited to join their respective Vice President, Class of '09 Barry C. Lucier - Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences, Social Sciences Division President Roy J. irschel, Ph.D. deans, faculty. staff and classmates for Kaitlyn Brooke Friedrich rcfreshrnents. See page 23 for locations. Secretmy, Class of '09 Rachel Leigh Morris - Gabelli School of Business Sarah Marie Dallon MUSIC Fune/raising Chair, Class of '09 The Dick Parent Orchestra Brian Manuel Tavares - School of Justice Studies GRADUATING Ryan Patrick McGinn - At Large STUDENT SENATORS Colin O'Reilly Alicia Leila Merschen-Perez - At Large Pleme Nore:Ow of rC.\fK'clfo,- 1heGraduarcs. Honorary Degree recipients and orherspeakers, Jayda Laurel Blinn we a.,k rim,you runi offci/1 cellular phones and noise-mnkmgpagers duringrile ceremony. Thank you. Cassandra Lee Carlson Amy Marie Torregrossa - At Large Matthew Thomas Gullo For the co111fonof some of our fcmiiliesarid gues1.s, .s<'<lling with a live videofeed is rivciilable n1 the Campus Recreario11C1c11ter Gym1wsium and Sc/100/ of Law. Alicia Leila Merschen-Pcrez 2 HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS 2009 Ibrahim Arikan Joan Countryman Jerrold L. Lavine The Honorable Jack Reed Chairman, Arilwn/i Ho/ding Educator Chai,·man and CEO, United States Senator Docto,· of Humane Letters Doctor of Education The Freeman Group, Ltd. Doctor of Public Service Honoris Causa Honoris Causa Doctor of Business Management Honoris Causa I-lonoris Causa From humble origins, Ibrahim Arikan A renowned school teacher and An accomplished businessman, civic A longtime Congressional leader on has ascended the ranks of Turkey's educational administrator, Joan leader and philanthropist, Jerrold L. defense, education and health care business community to become Countryrnan is the former head of Lavine is cunently Chairman and CEO of issues, Jack Reed has served as Rhode an international business leader as Lincoln School in Providence, R.I., a The Freeman Group, Ltd., a management Island's 46th U.S. Senator since 1996. Chairman of the immensely successful position she held for more than 12 years. and private investment firm. He is a Previously, Senator Reed was a three­ Arikanli Holding in Istanbul. Today, Following her retirement in 2005, member of the Board of Trustees at Roger term member of the U.S. House of the company houses an estimated Ms. Countryman served as consultant Williams University. where he serves as Representatives from the state's second 11,000 employees under its umbrella and interim head of the Oprah Winfrey Chairman of the Finance, Development Congressional district. in fields ranging from transportation Leadership Academy for Girls in South and Compensation Committees and Throughout his career in Congress, and tourism to health care and Africa. There, she interviewed potential is also a member of the Executive and Senator Reed has been an advocate construction. students, developed the curriculum Nominating