COMMENCEMENT Southern Connecticut State University Campus Mall Friday, May 24, 1996 Board of Trustees for the Connecticut State University CHAIRPERSON Lawrence D . McHugh, Middletown VICE CHAIRPERSON Karl J. Karpek, A von SECRETARY Emily V. Melendez, Ledyard Richard J. Balducci, N ewington Christopher M. Borajkiewicz, New Haven Faith Dejewski, Monroe William Detrick, New Britain John A. Doyle, Southington Gregg S. Hannah, Pomfret Center Lynn M. Hathaway, Stamford Nancy W. Kaplan, Mystic L. David Panciera, Rocky Hill A. Searle Pinney, Brookfield William Ramirez, Waterbury Linda L. Thomsen, New Canaan William J. Cibes Jr. PRESIDENT CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY Order of Exercises - May 24, 1996 PROCESSIONAL ......................................... .... ... .. ... .. ... .... ... .. ... ............. ... ... ... ....... ..... ...... "Pomp & Circumstance," by Edward Elgar OPENING .... .... ... ... ... .......................................... ............................ ....... "The Star-Spangled Banner," words by Francis Scott Key INVOCATION ............................ ................. .. .. ....... ... .. .. ... .. .. ... .... ... .. ..... .... .... The Reverend David Lea Snyder, University Chaplain WELCOMING ................................................ .. ... .. .. .. ... .. ... ..... ... .. ... .. ... ... .... ... ... ... ........................................... Jody Gronowetter, President Class of 1996 PRESIDING .... .. ... ... ....... ... ....................................... .... ... .. ...... ................. ... .. .. ....... ... ............ ............. .. .. .. Michael J. Adanti, '63, President Southern Connecticut State University GREETINGS ... ...... ...... .. .. ............................... ............ ..... .. .. ...... .... ......................................... Lawrence D . McHugh, '62, Chairperson The Board of Trustees, Connecticut State University William J. Cibes Jr., President Connecticut State University William A. Bevacqua, Member Board of Governors for Higher Education The Honorable John DeStefano Jr., Mayor The City of New Haven The Honorable Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut United States House of Representatives, Third Congressional District INTRODUCTION OF THE CLASS OF 1946 .. .... .... ............. .. .. ...... .................... .............................................. Virginia Killoran, Member Class of 1946 PRESENTATION OF 1996 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD ... ...................................................... John Capone, '85, President The Alumni Association, Southern Connecticut State University Richard Rausch, '50, Recipient PRESENTATION OF HONORARY DOCTORATE ....................................... .. ........ .... ... .... .... ... ...... ...... ... ... .. .. .. ... .. Lawrence D . McHugh The Honorable Claiborne deBorda Pell, United States Senator The State of Rhode Island, Recipient COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS ............ .. ... ... .... ... ...... .. ... ... ... .... .... ...... ... .... ...... ... ...................................................... Senator Claiborne Pell MUSICAL PRESENTATION .................. .. .. ....... ... .... ...... .. ........ .. .. ... ... ... .. ... .. ... .... ... .......................... Patricia Anne Lawrence, '96, Soloist "Little Corner of the Sky," from Pippin, by Stephen Schwartz CHARGE TO THE GRADUATES ....................... ... ...... .. .. ....... ... ..... ... ... .. ... .. ... .. ... ....... ... .... ... .... ... .. ... ............. President Michael J. Adanti PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES .......................... Anthony V. Pinciaro, Vice President for Academic Affairs Graduate Diplomas & Degrees School of Graduate Studies & Continuing Education, Roseann Diana, Acting Dean Bachelor's Degrees School of Professional Studies, Fay A. Miller, Dean School of Communication, Information, & Library Science, Edward C. Harris, Dean School of Education, Rodney Lane, Dean School of Business, Alan H. Leader, Dean School of Arts &Sciences, J. Philip Smith, Dean CONFERRING OF DEGREES ..... ......... .. .. ... .... ... ... .... ....... ....................... .. .... .. ................................ ........ ... ... President Michael J. Adanti PRESENTATION OF CLASS GIFT ..... ... .. ... ....... ... .... .................................................. ... ...................... ... .......................... Jody Gronowetter INDUCTION OF CLASS OF 1996 INTO THE ALUMNI ASSO CIATION ........... ... ... .. .. .... ..... ...... .. .. .. .... ..... ...... ... .. ... .. .... ... .. John Capone UNIVERSITY ALMA MATER .... .... ... ... .... ... .. .. ...... .. ..... ... ...... .................. ... ...... .. .. .... .. .. .. ... .. ... ... ... ..... .. .......... ....... .... Graduates & Audience Led by Sharon Brennan, Director ofAdmissions BENEDICTION ............................. ... ... .. ... .. .. ... ..... .... ... .. ..... ....... .......... .. .... .. .. ... The Reverend John P. Sullivan, University Chaplain RECESSIONAL ........... ... ........... .. ... ... ... ..... ... .. .. ........ .. ... .. .. .. .. "Crown Imperial March" & "Orb & Sceptre," by William Walton Please remain standing until all of the graduates have marched out. Distinguished Alumnus Award RICHARD G. RAUSCH, '50 center as an integral part of the high Rausch joined Briarwood College school. Rausch also initiated and in 1990 as dean of academic affairs. Distinguished Alumnus Award developed an innovative regional He was inaugurated as the educational services program, the Southington institution's third Briarwood College President first of its kind in Connecticut. president last year. Richard G. Rausch has a distin­ He continued his efforts toward Rausch is listed in Who)s Who in guished career as an educator and a regional cooperation in 1967 when American Education and Who)s Who laudable record of service to his alma he became executive director of in the East. The Connecticut Dis­ mater. He is widely recognized as an Regional Educational Services tributive Education Clubs of authority on vocational, technical, Center through United Effort America presented him with the and career education, as well as on (RESCUE). Based in Bridgewater, Philip J. Larkin Award for Outstand­ regional education planning and the organization provided 19 ing Service to Vocational Education. services. western Connecticut towns with Rausch was presented with an Following his graduation from educational services and programs. Honorary Future Farmers of Hillhouse High School in 1943, Rausch returned to his alma America Citation at the FFA's 62nd Rausch served in the U.S. Navy. At mater in 1971 as a professor of National Convention. He has also the end of World War II, he enrolled education and director of instruc­ been active in the American Red at Southern, then New Haven State tional services. He supervised the Cross, his church, and the Coast Teachers College, graduating with a University Testing Center and Guard Foundation. He is past bachelor of science degree in 1950. helped educators incorporate national president of the Coast He went on to earn his master's technology into the classrooms. Guard Academy Parents Association. degree, professional diploma, and Rausch took a leadership role on In 1972, Rausch received the doctorate from Columbia University. campus. He was president of the Alumni Association's service award. He did additional graduate work at Faculty Association from 1975 to He served as the Association's Boston University, the University of 1977 and founded the campus president from 1967 to 1970. As Maine, the University of New branch of Phi Delta Kappa. The alumni president he directed the Hampshire, and Western Connecti­ chapter honored him with the Association's first large-scale fund­ cut State University. Diamond Jubilee Distinguished raising effort, which resulted in a Rausch began his career as a Fellow Award for outstanding major contribution toward the teacher in Greenwich's Riverside contributions to the ideals of purchase of an organ for the John School, where he quickly rose to the leadership, research, and service. He Lyman Center for the Performing rank of assistant principal. He left also received its Service Key Award. Arts. Riverside in 1954 to become princi­ In 1977, Rausch became execu­ A life member of the American pal of the Webster Hill School in tive officer of the Connecticut State Vocational Association, Rausch also West Hartford. There he initiated a Council on Vocational-Technical belongs to the National Education library program, environmental Education. He was a statewide Association, the American Associa­ education projects, and comprehen­ leader in the field of adult, voca­ tion of School Administrators, the sive professional and staff develop­ tional, career, and technical educa­ Connecticut Vocational Education ment. tion. This was reflected by his Association, and the American He joined the Danbury public appointments to the Connecticut Association of Counseling and school system in 1962 as an assistant Education Council and the State Development. superintendent. He was later pro­ Employment and Training Council. He lives in Danbury with his wife, moted to associate superintendent. Erma. They have six children. Rausch coordinated a complete restructuring of the system's curricu­ lum. He developed an occupational 2 Honorary Doctorate ~~~ CLAIBORNE PELL During that time, he was vice Pell was appointed by President president of the International Dwight D . Eisenhower as a del­ Honorary Doctor of Laws Rescue Committee. He directed