Concordia University, St. Paul Hosts Commencement Ceremonies May 14-16

ST. PAUL, MN (05/11/2009)(readMedia)-- Concordia University, St. Paul will host baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2009 May 14-16, on the Concordia Campus.

Ceremony Schedule Thursday, May 14, 7:30 p.m. Baccalaureate - Commencement Worship Service (Graebner Memorial Chapel)Friday, May 15, 7:30 p.m. College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, and the College of Vocation and Ministry, Undergraduate Programs (Gangelhoff Center)Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. College of Business and Organizational Leadership Undergraduate Programs (Gangelhoff Center)Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m. Graduate Programs (Gangelhoff Center)

Speakers and honorees will participate in the ceremonies as follows:

College of Arts & Sciences, College of Education, & College of Vocation & MinistryCommencement Speaker: The Rev. Chris Dodge '73 has served as Senior Pastor at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., since September, 1991. He is a 1979 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Student Welcome Address: Emmanuel Kuphal of Winthrop, Minn., is a Design major with a Video Production minor who has been active with Concordia Television Productions and the Art Department.Student Farewell Address: Adam Fink of Eagan, Minn., is a Communication Studies major with minors in Video Production and Lutheran Confessionalism who has been active in photography and video production and direction for Concordia Television Productions.Honorary Doctorate Recipient: David M. Roth of Prior Lake, Minn., will receive an honorary Doctor of Letters degree for his dedication to education in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod (LCMS).Aeterna Moliri Awards: Concordia will present two, one to the Rev. Dr. Maynard W. and Mrs. Shirley A. (nee Groh) Dorow and one to the Rev. Dr. Hilbert (George) and Mrs. Joan Riemer. Their lives exemplify the ideals of the Aeterna Moliri Award, which recognizes "builders for eternity," individuals who further the work of the church and its people through their vocation or service.

College of Business and Organizational LeadershipCommencement Speaker: Actress, singer, and public speaker Jearlyn Steele is speaking at the morning commencement service. Steele has elated audiences at highly acclaimed venues throughout the world. More than a decade ago, Jearlyn and her siblings, The Steeles, began a successful run of the pop/gospel musical "Gospel At Colonus" which made its way to Carnegie Hall. Student Welcome: Mike Cunningham of Minneapolis, Minn., is a Marketing major who was a member of the basketball team during his time at Concordia.Student Farewell: Rita Pauling of Owatonna, Minn., is an Organizational Managementand Communication major. She is employed by Federated Insurance develops training material and delivers non-technical training on topics like teamwork, communications and time management.Honorary Doctorate Recipient: Author and resident of Edina, Minn., Sandra Benitez will receive an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. She has received numerous awards for her work and her novels are used extensively in the classroom throughout the nation.

Graduate ProgramsCommencement Speaker: Officer Lisa Davis of Minneapolis, Minn. is speaking at the afternoon commencement service. She has been with the Minneapolis Police Department for more than 20 years. She was selected Officer of the Year by the International Association of Women Police and accepted this prestigious award in September 2007 in Denver, Colo. Davis earned her master's degree in Criminal Justice Leadership from Concordia University. Student Welcome: Kelly Jansen of Bloomington, Minn., is a master's degree student in Classroom Instruction with Reading Endorsement. She taught in London, England and Minneapolis Public Schools prior to her current position at Edina Public Schools. Kelly has taught second grade at Cornelia Elementary for the past four years.Student Farewell: Robert Boyle of Plymouth, Minn., is a master's degree student in Business Administration. For the past eight years Boyle has traveled worldwide in his role as technical sales manager, logging on for his Concordia MBA program from six countries and four continents.Honorary Doctorate Recipient: Richard (Dick) D. Peters of Amery, Wis., will be receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his dedication to Concordia and LCMS in the area of finance.

Concordia University, St. Paul is a comprehensive, private university of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and one of 10 schools that comprise the Concordia University System. Established in 1893, Concordia offers more than 40 liberal arts majors, including business administration, education, fine arts, the sciences and church professions. Concordia is a regional leader in accelerated, cohort-delivered, undergraduate degree-completion and master's degrees in business administration, organizational management, criminal justice and human services. Concordia is the only private university in Minnesota to offer NCAA Division II athletics for men and women. On the web: www.csp.edu.

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