UNK-The President of the American Council on Education, Dr. Stanley Ikenberry, will deliver the winter commencement address, “A New Century: A New Beginning” on Friday, Dec. 15, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Commencement will begin at 10 a.m. in the Health and Sports Center. Ikenberry is the former president of the University of Illinois.
Since receiving his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1960, Dr. Ikenberry has been a national leader in higher education. He is the immediate past Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He has previously led the boards of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and the Association of American Universities. UNK is pleased to confer an honorary doctorate to President Ikenberry at the commencement ceremony.
Ikenberry will address the 446 graduates, 356 bachelor degree candidates and 90 graduate degree candidates. UNK Chancellor Gladys Styles Johnston will give welcome remarks and University of Nebraska Regent Don Blank of McCook will extend greetings on behalf of the board. Holley Hatt of Hastings will give the invocation and Marty Gutowsky of Fort Collins, Colo., will give the senior class response. Brian Margritz, class of 2001, of Lexington will sing the national anthem and lead the singing of the alma mater. Other special music will be provided by the Choraleers under the direction of Dr. David Bauer and the Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Gary Davis. Rafal Chrzanowski of Poland will give the benediction. UNK Alumni Association President Lori Waters of Lincoln will extend greetings on behalf of the association.
Betty Becker-Theye will receive the Distinguished Service Award during the ceremonies recognizing her 33 years of outstanding teaching and administrative leadership at UNK. Becker-Theye previously served as the Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Humanities from 1981 through 1993.
John Peterson will address honors students and their families at the Honors Convocation breakfast preceding the graduation ceremonies. Peterson is a Kearney native, graduating from Kearney High in 1948. He is currently an entrepreneur and developer in Englewood, Colo. Christine Scott, of Grand Island, will give the senior class response at the honors convocation.
