Administration

Communications

Degrees presented to 164 during commencement
Saturday, May 21, 2011

CANTON, Mo. – Culver-Stockton College proudly presented diplomas to 164 graduates on Saturday, May 21, 2011 during the 155th Annual Commencement exercises. Hundreds of family, friends, faculty and staff attended the ceremony, which was held on the campus of Culver-Stockton College.

Harold Holzer, one of the country’s leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and political culture during the Civil War era, served as commencement speaker and presented “Abraham Lincoln: Lifelong Learner.” During his address, Holzer encouraged C-SC graduates to follow in the footsteps of our 16th president, who, despite having no formal education, made learning a lifelong goal. “In the end it’s all about opportunity—about fighting for the right to learn, and rise, so later generations, including me, including you, will enjoy the chance to better themselves through education, too. And then it’s about making history of your own. As Lincoln said—and he meant it not just about himself, but about all of us, then as well as now, and in the future: ‘We cannot escape history. We will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or the other of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.’ Well, you are what Lincoln would call the latest generation. And Lincoln would believe you have it in you to be the greatest generation too,” Holzer said during his address.

Anna Grgurich, who received a Bachelor of Arts in media communication, was the student speaker. Grgurich is the daughter of Edward and Melanie Grgurich of Novinger, Mo. Grgurich is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Freshman Honor Society and Alpha Chi National Honor Society. She was also named to the President’s List for eight consecutive semesters for her academic accomplishments. Grgurich graduated summa cum laude, and was the recipient of a number of awards during the Honors Day ceremonies held May 16, 2011. In addition to her academic achievements, Grgurich was also a member of the Lady Wildcats basketball team.

In keeping with the traditions of commencement, two faculty members were also honored during the ceremony. The 2011 Walter S. Reuling Prize for Innovation in Student Learning was presented to Lauren Schellenberger, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology. Schellenberger joined the Culver-Stockton faculty in 2008 and has brought new and innovative ideas and knowledge of best practices to Culver-Stockton students. The Reuling Prize is awarded to a faculty member selected by his or her peers. Julie Straus, C.P.A., received the 2011 Helsabeck Prize for Excellence in Teaching for exemplifying Culver-Stockton’s mission of providing a superb education in an active learning environment.” Straus joined the C-SC faculty in 2008 as an instructor of accounting. The Helsabeck Prize is given annually to a faculty member who has been selected from student and faculty nominations.