Commencement Season Continues
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowCommencement ceremonies at several colleges and universities throughout the state will take place this weekend. Graduates will walk the stage at schools including the University of Notre Dame, Valparaiso University, DePauw University and Wabash College. May 15, 2015
News Release
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's five West Lafayette campus commencement ceremonies on May 15-17 will be aired live on Comcast Channel 5 and Boiler TV Channel 26.4.
All speeches will be captioned for the hearing impaired. The ceremonies also will be shown live via webcast at the following links:
* Division I – 8 p.m. Friday (May 15): http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/vzqa9
* Division II – 9:30 a.m. Saturday (May 16): http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/kw41i
* Division III – 2 p.m. Saturday (May 16): http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/xam7j
* Division IV – 9:30 a.m. Sunday (May 17): http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/zbakk
* Division V – 2 p.m. Sunday (May 17): http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/t5kvu
Commencement videos will be available for $30 per DVD. Order forms can be obtained at the Loeb Playhouse box office, online at http://www.purdue.edu/commencement/documents/DVD_Form.pdf or by calling 765-494-3933. Forms may be submitted after the ceremony within two weeks of the event.
Live captions will be available during the webcasts for each ceremony at https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=PurdueEvent
The five West Lafayette ceremonies are as follow:
* May 15, 8 p.m. Graduates in the College of Agriculture and School of Management are scheduled to walk the Elliott Hall stage.
* May 16, 9:30 a.m. The colleges of Education, Liberal Arts, and the College of Engineering's schools of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Industrial Engineering will participate.
* May 16, 2 p.m. This ceremony will include the remainder of the College of Engineering.
* May 17, 9:30 a.m. The colleges of Health and Human Sciences, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine will participate in the 9:30 a.m. ceremony.
* May 17, 2 p.m. The colleges of Science and Technology are scheduled.
Purdue President Mitch Daniels will speak at each ceremony, and each ceremony will have a student responder.
Source: Purdue University
May 15, 2015
News Release
VALPARAISO, Ind. – More than 1,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students will participate in Valparaiso University's Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17. The 2014-2015 academic year concludes yet another chapter of the University's proven excellence in education, leadership, faith and service.
“As we celebrate the end of another academic season, I am reminded of all the explorations, achievements and discoveries that have occurred this year,” said Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D., president. “I am grateful for all that our students, faculty and staff do to support the mission of Valparaiso University and contribute to this exceptional place where passion meets purpose.”
Here's a look back at highlights for Valparaiso University's 2014–2015 academic year:
August
• Valpo welcomed a total enrollment of more than 4,500 students — the largest in 34 years.
• Beacon Hall, a suite-style residence hall with large study and community spaces throughout the building, welcomed sophomore students for the first time.
• Washington Monthly named Valparaiso University the No. 3 master’s university in the country for its contribution to the public good.
• Valparaiso University achieved recognition by Forbes 2014 rankings as one of the top 100 colleges in the Midwest.
• Mark L. Biermann, Ph.D., began his first academic year as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
• The College of Nursing and Health Professions launched a five-year bachelor’s/master’s degree in physician assistant studies and a bachelor’s degree in public health.
September
• For the 26th straight year, Valparaiso University was identified as one of the best universities in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report magazine. In the 2015 edition, Valpo was ranked the No. 5 Best Regional University, among more than 140 universities in the category, and was ranked No. 2 in the Midwest for Best Undergraduate Teaching and Best Value.
• Valpo welcomed Thomas Cedel, Ph.D., as the Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership.
• Valparaiso University officially took possession of the former Porter Hospital property to be used to expand and enhance campus facilities and programs.
October
• Moody’s Investors Service assigned an A2 rating to Valparaiso University’s bond issuance with a stable outlook, which indicates low risk to investors. The global credit rating, research and risk analysis firm also affirmed Valpo’s A2 rating on outstanding debt.
• Valpo was recognized as a 2015 Military Friendly School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting military and civilian worlds.
• The Brauer Museum of Art welcomed “Borders,” an installation by renowned Icelandic artist Steinunn Th?rarinsd?ttir. The installation was previously displayed in New York City, Seattle, Dallas and Chicago.
• During Homecoming Weekend, Valpo dedicated the Warren G. Hoger track, located around Brown Field.
November
• The Caterpillar Foundation awarded Valparaiso University funding to support study abroad in China as a part of its partnership in the United States Department of State’s 100,000 Strong Initiative. Valpo will be able to award nine $5,000 scholarships for students to study at the University’s Hangzhou study center.
• Valparaiso University announced Scott Harrison, J.D., as director of human resource services.
• After capturing the Horizon League Championship Title, the women’s soccer team advanced to the Division I NCAA women’s soccer tournament.
December
• The University was recognized as one of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s 100 best value in private colleges for 2015. The ranking recognizes universities that combine outstanding academics with affordable cost.
• Valpo was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, joining a group of select universities and colleges across the country that are honored for their support of volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.
• Valparaiso University was designated a 2015 STEM Jobs Approved College by Victory Media.
• On Dec. 5–6, more than 200 Valpo students performed in the annual Christmas Concert, participating in a 90-year tradition.
• The annual Advent Christmas Vespers on Dec. 12 featured the Kantorei Choir and the Handbell Choir of the Chapel of the Resurrection.
January
• Valpo hosted its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The 2015 events honored the theme “Hope, Action, Change” through speakers, presenters and activities that promoted the respect and value of diversity on campus and within the broader community. In addition, the University honored various individuals and groups with MLK awards, including the men’s soccer organization for its #oneVALPO campaign.
• On Jan. 13, the Law School welcomed Sister Helen Prejean, author of “Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States.”
February
• The Valpo Sorority and Fraternity community raised more than $33,000 for Lurie Children’s Hospital through the third annual Dance Marathon.
• On Feb. 17, the University presented “Realizing the Dream in Northwest Indiana: A Dialogue On Civil Rights in the Age of Ferguson,” during which community members, students, faculty and staff gathered for open discussion about the current state of civil rights.
• On Feb. 19, Valpo’s Red Cross Club and the Northwest Indiana Chapter of the American Red Cross presented “Day in the Life of a Refugee,” which allowed visitors to experience a simulated refugee camp and hear from Valpo students who were once refugees.
March
• The American Society of Church History elected Ronald K. Rittgers, Ph.D., Erich Markel Chair in German Reformation Studies and professor