Spring Commencement is May 10 at the DECC

Release Date: 04/30/09

The College of St. Scholastica will confer its largest-ever number of degrees and certificates at its spring commencement Sunday, May 10. The ceremony will be at 2 p.m. in the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) Arena.

A total of 715 degrees and certificates will be conferred, including 505 bachelor's degrees, 133 master's degrees, 27 graduate certificates, 46 Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees, and four Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. This represents a 16 percent increase in total graduates from last year.

This is the first year that the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and the Master of Arts in Business Administration (MBA) will be conferred.

"We are proud of this, our largest-ever graduating class," said Eric Berg, vice president for Enrollment Management. "It reflects the enrollment growth the College has experienced over the past several years. We're also proud of the fact that the vast majority of them have attained their degree in four years."

The most numerous baccalaureate majors are, in order: nursing, biology, health sciences, management, and social work.

The most numerous graduate studies majors are, in order: nursing, management, occupational therapy, teaching, and exercise physiology.

Sister Thomas Welder, a St. Scholastica graduate and one of the longest-tenured university presidents in American history, will deliver the commencement address. She has served as president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, since 1978. She is the longest-serving woman college president in the nation. She will retire in June.

Under her leadership the school attained university status; tripled in size from 925 students to nearly 3,000; added many new academic programs including the university's first doctorate; expanded its adult learning program online and to 16 locations throughout the state, region and country; and made the move to NCAA Division II athletics.

Sister Welder has been a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck, ND, for almost 50 years. She has served on numerous civic and academic boards including the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

In 2004 she received the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the State of North Dakota's highest honor. She received the Greater North Dakotan Award in 2002 and the North Dakota Everyday Hero Award in 1998.

She attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN, received her bachelor's degree in music from The College of St. Scholastica, and earned a master's degree in music from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Vicky Bass, a baccalaureate candidate, will present the Student Address. Bass is an active student leader and community volunteer. She has served on the Student Senate and Campus Legislative Team, as co-coordinator of the Center for Just Living, and as public relations coordinator for the College Democrats. She was a site coordinator for Community Day, involved in Habitat for Humanity and participated in service learning trips to Tanzania and Peru.

She is a Home Health Aide at HomeInstead and a St. Mary's Medical Center Emergency Room volunteer. After graduation she plans to participate in the College's exchange program in Leipzig, Germany, where she will study the German healthcare system. Next year she will be an AmeriCorps volunteer. She plans to attend graduate school to earn her master's degree in public health.

The Duluth Scottish Pipers will lead the commencement procession and the Duluth 709 Drum Group will present the "Honor Song." The College of St. Scholastica Jazz Band will perform following the commencement address. Baccalaureate candidate Amanda Sneed will deliver the invocation and graduate candidate Amanda Steinbauer will give the benediction.