Geneva College to bestow honorary degrees

BEAVER FALLS, PA (04/15/2013)(readMedia)-- Geneva College will present two candidates with honorary doctorate degrees as part of the 2013 traditional undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11 at 10 a.m.

REV. EDWARD DONNELLY, DOCTOR OF DIVINITY

Geneva College will bestow this year's traditional undergraduate commencement speaker, Rev. Edward (Ted) Donnelly, with an honorary Doctor of Divinity for his service as a pastor for several congregations in the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA). Rev. Donnelly currently serves as Principal and Professor of New Testament for Reformed Theological College in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has lectured and preached at churches, seminaries and conferences throughout North America, Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, with further speaking engagements in France, South Africa, Australia, and Japan.

Rev. Donnelly spent most of his career at Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland. Under his leadership, Trinity's once-declining congregation grew to become one of the largest within the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland.

In addition to contributing articles for various journals and magazines, Rev. Donnelly has published three books-Peter, Eyewitness of His Majesty; Life in Christ; and Heaven & Hell.

MR. KARL L. BOAK, DOCTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE

For his commitment to serving the community, Mr. Karl L. Boak will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service. Boak served as mayor for the City of Beaver Falls from his election in 2001 until retiring in 2012. During this time, he is credited with significantly reducing crime and laying the foundation for future development in the city. Mr. Boak's accomplishments include securing several grants for departmental improvements and crime prevention, as well as creating a neighborhood watch group.

A lifetime resident of Beaver Falls, Mr. Boak was also associated with many of the city's community service boards and organizations. He is the co-founder, former president and current member of the Beaver River Rails to Trails Association, member and active volunteer with the Beaver Valley Community Concert Association, and board member of the Beaver County Office on Aging.

Geneva College invites students to accept the challenge of an academically excellent, Christ-centered education. Offering nearly 40 undergraduate majors, an Adult Degree Completion Program with fully online and campus-based options, and seven graduate degrees, Geneva has programs that place students at the forefront of higher learning. Adhering to the inerrancy of scripture, the liberal arts core curriculum fosters a breadth of knowledge through the study of humanities, social and natural sciences, and experiential learning.