Congratulations Ohio Wesleyan University 2009 Graduates!

Ohio Wesleyan University celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2009 on May 10. A total of 400 students earned diplomas during the university’s 165th Commencement ceremony.

Photo by Doug Martin

• 55 cum laude graduates
• 30 magna cum laude graduates
• 21 summa cum laude graduates
• 3 graduates with a perfect 4.0 grade point

The following student, organization, and faculty-staff awards were presented at the 2009 Baccalaureate Service:

• Benjamin Goodrum received the President’s Commission on Racial and Cultural Diversity 2009 Student Award for his leadership and work to educate the community about national and global human rights issues.
• Darrell Albon, director of international student services, received the President’s Commission on Racial and Cultural Diversity 2009 Faculty/Staff Award for his work to develop student leadership that encompasses internationally selected students from all backgrounds.
• The Chinese Culture Club received the President’s Commission on Racial and Cultural Diversity 2009 Organization Award for bringing influences from the Chinese culture to the OWU community while providing a vital and nurturing home for all Chinese and Chinese-descendent people on campus.
• Stan Osei-Bonsu and Nicholas Oteng received The True North Award for vocational discernment.

The following University Trustee Religious Life Awards were awarded for serving as a faithful witness to the ethical, spiritual, and missional values of Ohio Wesleyan University:

• The Bliss and Mildred Wiant Award for Leadership in Interfaith and Intercultural Relations was presented to Michael Cohen and Sahar Mazhar.
• The Chaplain James Leslie Award for Leadership in Peace and Justice was awarded to Benjamin Goodrum and Lydia Spitalny.
• The Bishop Gerald Ensley Award for Leadership in Christian Mission was awarded to Janna Dagley.
• The Cheryl McGinniss Award for Roman Catholic Leadership was awarded to Laura Coonfield.
• The Taban Blake Servant Leadership Award was presented to Renee Colvin for her work with homeless people.
• The Arthur S. Flemming Award for Leadership in the Civic Arts was awarded to Mark Miller.
• The Robert and Bette Meyer Award for faithful witness to the ethical, spiritual and missional values of Ohio Wesleyan University as delineated in the University’s Charter and Statement of Aims was awarded to Terre Stevenson.
• The Bishop Francis Emner Kearns Award for faithful witness to the ethical, spiritual and missional values of Ohio Wesleyan University as delineated in the University’s Charter and Statement of Aims was awarded to Juan Armando Rojas, Ph.D., who also serves as assistant professor of modern foreign languages and director of OWU’s study abroad program in Salamanca, Spain.

Congratulations also to the following faculty members receiving special honors at Commencement:

• Richard F. Spall Jr., Ph.D., professor of history, received The Herbert Welch Meritorious Teaching Award
• Danielle R. Hamill, Ph.D., associate professor of zoology, received The Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for the Encouragement of Teachers
• Erin E. Flynn, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, was awarded the Libuse L. Reed Endowed Professorship, named in honor of emeritus professor “Libby” Reed, a faculty member in the Department of English from 1951 to 1984.

Six Poe Medals were awarded this year to retiring administrators and faculty:

• Tom Green, M.A., associate director of libraries and head of public services, 20 years of service
• Conrad Kent, Ph.D., professor of modern foreign languages, 33 years of service
• Helmut Kremling, Ph.D., professor of modern foreign languages, 42 years of service
• Ali Akbar Mahdi, Ph.D., professor of sociology-anthropology, 16 years of service
• Jan Smith, Ph.D., professor of sociology-anthropology, 32 years of service
• Lauren Weibe, Ph.D., professor of modern foreign languages, 40 years of service

Related Links

• Streaming video (Requires QuickTime)
• Photo Gallery
• News Release
• Class of 2009 Baccalaureate Service Program (856k PDF*)
• 2009 Commencement Program (486k PDF*)
• 2009 Academic Honors Insert (67k PDF*)
• President’s Commencement Address (479k PDF*)

* Note: You will need the free Adobe Reader software to view/print PDF files. Click the “Get Adobe Reader” icon to begin the download process.