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Andrew Tomko, president of the class of 2009, (left) takes the symbolic Wittenberg Torch from Mark Preston, president of the class of 2008. |
University President Mark H. Erickson, participating in his third Wittenberg Commencement, made mention of several individuals in the class, noting the extraordinary accomplishments of some and the exceptional journeys of others. He also welcomed three distinguished guests in attendance, the 2008 Commencement speaker United States Congressman Dave Hobson (OH-7th District), who was conferred honorary alumnus status, and Bob and Lynn Ness, Wittenberg classes of 1963 and 1964 respectively, who were conferred with honorary doctors of humane letters.
The Class of 2008 included 27 "non-traditional" students from Wittenberg's School of Community Education, undergraduate students from 27 different states and five countries outside of the United States. Undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music Education were awarded, in addition to one Master of Arts in Education degree. Degrees were granted in 29 different majors, spanning the alphabet from art to theatre and dance.
A total of 129 graduates earned Latin honors in recognition of their exceptional academic pursuits. Sixty-three of them were designated cum laude (3.5-3.69 grade point average), 23 magna cum laude (3.7-3.79) and 43 summa cum laude (3.8-4.0). Among the latter group, three students achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average during their collegiate careers.
Erickson, Wittenberg's 13th president, pointed out that Commencement is just the start of the Wittenberg journey.
"It will be tough to see this class leave campus, but the good news is that I know you will be back, because that is what Wittenberg graduates do," Erickson said. "This is not a four-year experience. Once you come to Wittenberg, you are a part of Wittenberg and Wittenberg is a part of you for a lifetime.
"That is part of what makes this place so special. As I have traveled the country and the world this year talking to Wittenberg graduates, they all talk about their continuing engagement with Wittenberg."
That engagement has already begun for members of the Class of 2008, which has collectively taken the extraordinary step of establishing a scholarship fund as the traditional class gift. Class President Mark Preston from Naples, Fla. proudly spoke of the scholarship fund in his remarks.
"Today, I challenge each of us to actively engage in these last moments at this special place by participating in a cause much greater than ourselves," Preston said. "We cannot and will not remain sedentary when it comes to leaving a lasting legacy. We are a group that expects to give nothing short of what we are capable of achieving ourselves, and that is the highest possible standard.
"As a gift that keeps on giving, the Class of 2008 Scholarship will symbolize our strength, passion and contribution for generations to come. Characteristics of future recipients are in each of us."
Hobson, who received an honorary doctorate of laws from Wittenberg in 1992, spoke of his affinity for Springfield, where he has lived for 40 years, and the university so closely intertwined with that community. He said he was pleased to see the close relationship being fostered between university and community officials before issuing several challenges to the graduating class.
Hobson briefly discussed the problem of immigration, both legal and illegal, in the U.S., saying that "we've got to figure out how we treat people humanely." He went on to discuss the energy and natural resource issues the nation faces, noting in particular the water shortages plaguing the southeast and the exorbitant gas prices that are crippling the American economy.
His most personal charge to the graduates, however, was to ask them to recognize the people in their support network.
"A lot of people sacrificed to put you through Wittenberg," Hobson said. "I hope before you leave today, you will give those people hugs.
"And then I want you to seek out the meanest, toughest faculty member you can find – and I want you to thank them for caring about you and challenging you to become a better person."
Hobson, who secured $1 million in federal dollars to expand and enhance research partnerships in computational science between Wittenberg, the Ohio Supercomputer Center and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 2005 and secured $1 million in federal funds to aid in the completion of Wittenberg's Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center, was presented for honorary alumnus status by Megan McCann, president of the university's alumni board, and Bill Steinbrink, chair of the university's board of directors.
Bob and Lynn Noble Ness were conferred their honorary degrees by John Fenimore, adjunct assistant professor of management and chair of the department. Bob Ness, chairman and CEO of Columbus, Ohio-based ODW Logistics, Inc., has held leadership positions at Wittenberg for decades, including president of the Alumni Association and membership on the Board of Directors from 1980-97. He currently serves as chair of the university's Benjamin Prince Society, in addition to being a dedicated volunteer for various organizations in his Upper Arlington, Ohio community. Lynn Ness, a former teacher in the Columbus Public Schools, has held key volunteer roles with the Boys Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, Nationwide Children's Hospital and Buckeye Boys Ranch. She also helped spearhead a new initiative for spouses of Wittenberg Board members, and she has joined her husband in taking a leadership role at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. They are the parents of three Wittenberg graduates.
Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photo By: Robert Gantt
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