Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Education held a hooding ceremony today in the Morris University Center for its first class of students earning doctor of education degrees. The class formally graduates during the 9 a.m. ceremony Saturday in the Vadalabene Center.
“This group is particularly significant, because the Ed.D. is SIUE’s only research doctorate, so this graduating group is a first for the University, as well as for the School,” said Bette Bergeron, dean of the School. “Housing a doctorate within the School of Education reflects the high caliber of our faculty and programs along with our commitment to developing leaders for our region.”
Those achieving doctorates include:
- Patrick Anderson, superintendent, Wood River-Hartford Elementary School District
- Larry Beattie, superintendent, Sparta Community Unit School District
- Tricia Blackard, director, Collinsville Vocational Center
- Julie Brown, superintendent, Pontiac-William Holliday School District
- Marianne Doll, director of Special Services, Orchard Farm School District (St. Charles, Mo.)
- Jill Griffin, curriculum Director, Bethalto Community Unit School District
- DeAnn Heck, principal, Litchfield High School
- Beth Horner, assistant superintendent, Columbia Community Unit School District
- Vincent Hughes, assistant principal, Highland Middle School
- Stephanie Mulholland, superintendent, Steeleville Community Unit School District
- Brian Saenz, principal, Lovejoy Elementary (Alton Community Unit School District)
- Nicholas Schwartz, principal, Waterloo Junior High
- Alex Tripamer, principal, Emge Elementary (Ft. Zumwalt School District, O’Fallon, Mo.)
- Becky Watson Schuchman, principal, Carlinville Intermediate School
“We are very proud of this class, whose members hold important educational leadership positions in school districts throughout Illinois and Missouri,” said Dr. Linda Morice, associate professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership. “We are confident they will capitalize on their SIUE experiences to make a positive difference for students.”
“These individuals are the vanguard of excellence in school leadership that promotes excellent education for all children in the region,” said Dr. Alison Reeves, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and program director of educational administration. “Each graduate will make a positive, noticeable and lasting impact on the quality of P-12 education in the region.”
Commencement began at 6:30 p.m. this evening in the Vadalabene Center. Ceremonies resume at 9 a.m. Saturday with the Graduate School and School of Education. The Saturday afternoon ceremony begins at 1 p.m. with the College of Arts and Sciences followed at 5 p.m. by the School of Pharmacy, the College of Arts and Science graduate students and the School of Engineering.