Newly installed Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe presided over her first Spring Commencement on Friday and Saturday, May 3 and 4. Ceremonies for the 1,886 eligible graduates concluded early Saturday evening in the Vadalabene Center on campus. View Friday’s ceremonies.
During her remarks, Furst-Bowe presented three points of advice to the graduates: 1) Establish priorities and set goals; 2) Get involved in your community both locally and professionally; 3) Have and be a mentor. Along the way in regard to planning and work ethic, she quoted late Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi that “The man at the mountain top didn’t fall there.” See the video.
Furst-Bowe was officially installed as SIUE’s eighth chancellor by SIU President Glenn Poshard on Friday, April 19, in ceremonies on campus. As her SIUE tenure began on July 2, 2012, Furst-Bowe is completing her first academic year.
Jerry and Mary Kane were acknowledged as Distinguished Service Award recipients during the ceremonies. Mary Kane is senior vice president, public finance, for Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. in St. Louis. Jerry Kane serves as executive director of the Agency for Community Transit (ACT). Both are long-time SIUE supporters.
Dr. Kay Gaehle, associate professor in the Department of Primary Care and Health Systems in the School of Nursing, received the 2013 Teaching Excellence Award during Friday night’s presentation.
The festivities began Friday night with the Graduate School, School of Business and School of Nursing students receiving their degrees. Kevin Caraker, who earned a bachelor’s in business administration, was the student speaker for Friday’s session. He discussed each individual’s vision and pursuing one’s dreams and goals.
Ceremonies resume at 9 a.m. Saturday with the Graduate School and School of Education. The morning student speaker is Cassandra Sams, who earned a bachelor’s in speech language pathology. She spoke of the SIUE community that encourages, challenges and supports its students.
Student Government President Erik Zimmerman, who earned a bachelor’s in philosophy, spoke during the Saturday afternoon ceremony representing the College of Arts and Sciences. As he elaborated that SIUE’s values encourage risk-taking, he challenged his fellow graduates to take creative risks to spark innovation and cultural change.
Jessica Thompson, who earned a bachelor’s in industrial engineering, spoke during the evening session for the School of Pharmacy, College of Arts and Science graduate students and the School of Engineering.