David and Kay Werner Serve as SIUE Spring Commencement Speakers
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe will oversee the 2015 Spring Commencement exercises on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9. Chancellor emeritus David Werner and Kay Werner will serve as the speakers for the ceremonies for the 2,212 eligible graduates. The first of four exercises will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Vadalabene Center on campus.
David Werner will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Werner served as SIUE’s sixth chancellor from 1997-2004. He has been a significant contributor to the growth of SIUE, from his initial hiring in 1968 as an assistant professor, to his retirement as chancellor emeritus. During his tenure, he held several positions within the University, including: associate professor of management science, dean of the SIUE School of Business, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, and finally, chancellor.
Kay Werner is being honored with the University’s Distinguished Service Award. Werner is an SIUE alumna, earning a specialist degree from the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. She also holds degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She retired as the manager of Information Technology at the SIUE East St. Louis Center and is the wife of David Werner.
The festivities begin Friday night with the Graduate School, School of Business and School of Nursing students receiving their degrees. Eric Robert, who is earning a master’s in business administration, is the student speaker for Friday’s session.
Ceremonies resume at 9 a.m. Saturday with the Graduate School and School of Education. The morning student speaker is Kirstie Chase, who is receiving a bachelor’s in exercise science from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior.
The Saturday afternoon ceremony begins at 1 p.m. with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) followed at 5 p.m. by the School of Pharmacy, College of Arts and Science graduate students and the School of Engineering. The student speakers will be Kiley Herndon, who is earning a bachelor’s in both applied communication studies and English, during the afternoon session, and Emily McMahill, who is receiving a doctorate in pharmacy, closing the day.
Photo: SIUE Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Parviz Ansari (left) and Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe (right) greet graduates during the Fall 2014 commencement ceremony.
