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May 23, 2006
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May 23, 2006
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| Online Phonebook | Sandhills Guide | Business News | National News |
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St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg awarded bachelor’s degrees to 125 seniors Saturday, May 13.
Two honorary degrees were presented and four award recipients were announced. “As you leave here today, please remember that without action on your part, the noblest thoughts and the loftiest dreams are merely wistful fantasies,” College President John Deegan Jr. said to the graduates. “So live your life with determination and passion, find your moral center, and let it be your guide to making your dreams a reality.” The Rev. Joseph S. Harvard III, guest speaker at the college’s baccalaureate service, received an honorary degree along with Price H. Gwynn III, the commencement speaker. Harvard received an honorary doctor of divinity degree, while Gwynn received an honorary doctor of humane letters. Emily Kate Boomgarden of West End, Ronda Lynn Davis of Eagle Springs and Robert Anthony Jackson of Southern Pines were among the more than 120 members of the Class of 2006 at St. Andrews Presbyterian College. Boomgarden received a bachelor’s degree in European history with a minor in English literature. She also served as a reader for the baccalaureate ceremony. Boomgarden is the daughter of James and Lisa Boomgarden and granddaughter of Lowell Boom-garden. Davis received a bachelor’s degree in business Administra-tion. Jackson received a bachelor’s degree in applied social science. He is the son of Bessie M. Brown and Robert Ross and grandson of Rosa Lee McCall and the late Frank Waddell Jr., and Tommy and the late Eula Ross. Since 1967, St. Andrews annually recognizes two outstanding graduating seniors and one member of the community with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards. The award recognizes those who place service to others above self in daily living. Kelly Chaplin, a business administration and therapeutic horsemanship major from Montpelier, Vt., and Ian D. Wallace, a creative writing and English major from Raleigh, were announced as the two senior recipients. “With a wall full of athletic awards for her participation in cross country, Kelly holds the St. Andrews school records for 5,000 meters and 3,000 meters,” Deegan said. “Kelly has excelled in the classroom in both of her majors. In a program like therapeutic horsemanship, which offers those with disabilities the physical, psychological and social benefits of riding, Kelly’s positive attitude and constant smile inspires others to demonstrate their full potential.” Of Wallace, Deegan said, “With a double major in creative writing and English, Ian is a talented writer. He served as host for the weekly Fortner Writers’ Forums and worked tirelessly for the St. Andrews Press and as associate editor of CAIRN while holding a number of other responsible positions on campus.” Deegan then announced the community recipient as the Rev. Elizabeth Forester, associate pastor of Laurinburg Presbyterian Church. “Rev. Forester exemplifies the spirit of one who understands and seeks to minister to all people regardless of their needs or condition,” Deegan said. “Seeing sadness or pain, Rev. Forester responds promptly and completely guided by love, peace, and kindness to nurture and lift the spirit.” Dr. Pam Ely was named this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Service Award sponsored by the Class of 1991. Dr. Robert J. Hopkins, dean of the college, made the announcement, saying, “This year’s recipient has assumed many significant leadership positions in the academic program. She has exhibited boundless energy and creativity in the classroom, served as an adviser and mentor to students.” Degrees conferred during commencement ceremonies were for the bachelor of arts, bachelor of fine arts and bachelor of science. During his commencement address, Gwynn asked the graduates if they really thought they could make a difference. “Your diploma says here is a student with a good mind who can discipline and focus his or her energies,” he said. “The faculty and trustees say with that sheepskin, you have the talent, the possibility, the ingredients. “Will you be a difference maker, a contributor, a person who counts? Members of the Class of 2006, that is your call to make. Only you can write that script, and the play begins today.” On Friday prior to commencement, Harvard led the baccalaureate service for the St. Andrews graduates. He urged the graduates to “remember your name. Remember whose and who you are. This can be an important compass as we try to make our way through this life and so may it be with you.” Laurie Lamonds, an education major from Troy, served as one of two student spokespersons. She talked about learning to be proactive from the college’s stated education purpose: Learner-Directed Proactive Teachers. “This means to act in advance to deal with an expected difficulty,” she said. “Since then, the term proactive always seems to jump out at me. I not only think about how I can be proactive in my classroom, but I think about how I can be proactive in my community and in my personal life as well.” The second student spokesperson, Bryan Riddell, a politics major from Canada, said, “Our time here has come to an end and the real world is knocking at our doors. We have to find jobs, become independent and actually cook our own food. But remember that wherever you are, you can listen to the piper and remember that you are a St. Andrews graduate.” St. Andrews Presbyterian College is a four-year liberal arts and sciences college situated on 600 acres with a 70-acre lake in Laurinburg. The college offers an interdisciplinary curriculum, a study abroad program on three continents, a soccer-field size science lab, the first undergraduate college press in the country, the first four-year degree in therapeutic riding and equine business management, an award-winning pipe band, and a five-time national champion equestrian team. Students enrolled at St. Andrews come from 42 states and eleven countries. Additional information may be obtained by visiting the college’s Web site www.sapc.edu, calling admissions at (800) 763-0198 sending an e-mail to admissions@ sapc.edu. |
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