Feature Story

June 28, 2010 | By Cole Hatcher

OWU’s 166th Commencement

Part 1

Ohio Wesleyan University’s Commencement was held May 9, 2010, in Phillips Glen.

President Rock Jones, Ph.D., encouraged the university’s newest alumni to share their knowledge and compassion with the world.

Keynote speaker U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., told the graduates to appreciate freedom and make a positive difference in the world.

In addition, Jeffrey Thongsawath, president of the Class of 2010, a sociology/anthropology major and zoology minor from Groveport, Ohio, told his classmates that their graduation from Ohio Wesleyan was not goodbye, but more like “see you later.”

During the outdoor ceremony, the University also honored two outstanding faculty members: Joseph Musser, Ph.D., professor of English, received The Herbert Welch Meritorious Teaching Award, and Patricia Ahearne-Kroll, Ph.D., assistant professor of religion, received The Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for the Encouragement of Teachers.

The University also awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Ira A. Lipman, who founded Guardsmark, a privately held security services company, in 1963. Guardsmark operates 157 branch offices in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and France.

Visit the Congratulations 2010 Graduates page for more information, including photo galleries and streaming video, transcripts of the various speeches/remarks, and program handouts from the event.

Part 2