Members of the Class of 2010 waved red towels at the conclusion of WKU's Fall Commencement on Dec. 18. Additional photos from Commencement will be posted on WKU Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/WKUNews (WKU photo by Clinton Lewis)
Hundreds of red towels waved in WKU’s Diddle Arena on Saturday — not in celebration of a Hilltopper victory but in celebration of the Class of 2010.
As WKU concluded its 168th Commencement, the recipients of undergraduate degrees waved Class of 2010 red towels to begin a new commencement tradition.
WKU President Gary Ransdell led graduates in a new commencement tradition of waving red towels. (WKU photo by Clinton Lewis)
The red towel, established as a WKU symbol by legendary Coach Edgar Allen Diddle, “is a symbol of the WKU Spirit, a symbol of achievement, of loyalty, of pride,” President Gary Ransdell told graduates. “But it is far more than just spirit and energy. It is our symbol of cohesion, of the WKU family and of success.”
During weekend ceremonies, WKU conferred degrees and certificates to a record number of 1,407 December graduates – 69 associates degrees, 960 baccalaureate degrees, 353 master’s degrees and 25 certificates. In addition, four recipients of a cooperative doctoral degree offered by WKU and University of Louisville were recognized at Friday night’s graduate ceremony.
“As you leave this beloved Hill, do not let anything deter you from taking those first steps in the next chapter of your life,” Dr. Ransdell said. “In spite of today’s economy, you have an abundance of opportunities before you.”
Shannon Smith of Portage, Mich., was recognized as the Ogden Foundation Scholar and talked about how she took advantage of opportunities and overcame obstacles to excel in the classroom and on the softball field.
“The risks and choices I made along the way helped me achieve the goals I set,” said Smith, an accounting major and a four-year member of the WKU softball team.
She encouraged her fellow graduates to strive for excellence, voice their opinions and seize every opportunity. “I challenge you to take risks, test your boundaries and the things you accomplish may even surprise you,” Smith said.
Shannon Smith was recognized as the Ogden Foundation Scholar. (WKU photo by Clinton Lewis)
In her career at WKU, Smith received many academic and athletic awards. She was named to the Hall of Distinguished Seniors in 2010 and the Gordon Ford College of Business Outstanding Accounting Senior in 2010. Smith was voted softball team captain her senior season in 2010, received the WKU Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2010 and was named an Academic All-American in 2010.
The daughter of Rick and Judy Acker-Smith, she is the latest member of the family to earn academic and athletic honors. Her sister Kristalyn played softball at WKU from 2000-03 and was the WKU Scholar-Athlete in 2003 and an Academic All-American in 2002, while sister Ashley played softball at South Carolina and was a top scholar-athlete there in 2006.
In January, Smith will start work with Ernst & Young in Nashville, Tenn., as an assurance associate doing audit work.
The Ogden Foundation Scholar award, WKU top’s graduation honor, is presented to one graduating baccalaureate degree senior who has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and outstanding university and civic engagement. Smith, who had a 4.0 grade-point average, also was recognized as a scholar of the Gordon Ford College of Business.
ROTC commissioning
- The following Hilltopper Army ROTC graduates were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army: Brianna Glover-Motley of Clarksville, Tenn.; Thomas Malazarte of Bowling Green; Jeffrey Webster of Graham; Damon Williams of South Bend, Ind.; and Robert Wright of Woodburn.
Honor graduates
WKU recognized 12 Scholars of the College, who had the highest GPAs in their colleges while completing at least 54 credit hours at WKU.
- Ogden College of Science and Engineering: Joshua Cook of Portland, Tenn., an agriculture major and son of Marty and Melissa Cook; Evangeline Pierce of Glasgow, a chemistry major and daughter of Mark Randall and Elizabeth Jane Pierce.
- University College: Andrew Woodward of Glasgow, a systems management major and son of Bud and Vicki Woodward.
- Potter College of Arts & Letters: Andrew G. Burchett of Scottsville, an English and anthropology major and son of Steve and Jennifer Burchett; Regina Durkan of Elizabethtown, a broadcasting and English major and daughter of William and Catherine Durkan; Caleb Ernst of Buffalo, an English and allied language arts major and son of Robert and Sharon Ernst; Mandy Simpson of Crestwood, a news editorial journalism and English major and daughter of Tony and Mary Simpson.
- College of Education and Behavioral Sciences: Stefanie Green of Elizabethtown, a psychology major and daughter of Byron and Mary Bennett and Jeff Green.
- Gordon Ford College of Business: Jeremy Jenkins of Bowling Green, a finance major and son of Gerald and Norma Jenkins; Cody Miles of Russellville, an accounting major and son of Cynthia and the late Frank Miles; Shannon Smith of Portage, Mich., an accounting major and daughter of Rick Smith and Judy Acker-Smith.
- College of Health and Human Services: Lorna Keller of Owensboro, a hospitality management and dietetics major and daughter of Joseph Earl and Ramona Keller.
Commencement notes
- Professor Mary Ellen Miller served as chief marshal of the Grand March at the Friday and Saturday ceremonies. The honor of carrying the Mace and leading the processional is given to the faculty member with the longest tenure at WKU. Miller, a professor of English, has served WKU for 47 years.
- The flags of the United States and 13 other nations with students graduating were carried in the ceremonies.
- DVDs of Saturday’s undergraduate ceremony are available for $35 each and can be ordered at www.wkyupbs.org; inquiries should be made to WKYU-PBS at (800) 599-2424.
- For additional photos from the undergraduate ceremony, check out the WKU News Facebook page.
Contact: Registrar, (270) 745-5432.
