CELEBRATING THE 150TH ACADEMIC YEAR
Monday, August 28 | Shove Memorial Chapel
ALUMNI HONORARY DEGREES
At the 1986 Opening Convocation, Colorado College began a new practice of conferring alumni honorary degrees. This category was added to the traditional practice of awarding honorary degrees at Commencement in recognition of exceptional and distinguished accomplishment.
The proposal for an alumni honorary degree originated with college faculty members as a way to honor graduates for their achievements and to present them before the college community as examples of what students can aspire to when they graduate. The degree is restricted to alumni of Colorado College, and the individuals chosen exemplify the successful application of their liberal arts education.
Promising candidates are those who show strong likelihood of continuing in the course of excellence they have already demonstrated. The selection process is the same as that used for honorary degrees awarded at Commencement.
The awarding of alumni honorary degrees is an opportunity to extend Colorado College boundaries beyond the acquisition of an undergraduate degree.
By recognizing the importance of alumni activities and vocations, the college conveys the message that it remains sincerely interested in the progress of its graduates. This ceremony has rightly become an honored tradition at Colorado College.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Colorado College is located within the unceded territory of the Ute Peoples. Other tribes who historically used, and continue to use, the land also include the Apache, Arapaho, Comanche, and Cheyenne.
THE COLORADO COLLEGE HYMN
“St. Anne”
William Croft (1678–1727) (Selected Stanzas)
O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.
A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone, Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its own away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guide while life shall last And our eternal home. Amen.
— Isaac WattsCOLORADO COLLEGE ALMA MATER
“O Colorado College Fair”
Words and music written in 1953 by Charles Hawley ’54 and Professors Earl Juhas and Albert Seay
O Colorado College fair, We sing our praise to you; Eternal as the Rockies, that form our western view; Your loyal sons and daughters will always grateful be; The college dear to all our hearts is our C.C.
O Colorado College fair, Long may your fame be known; May fortune smile upon you, and honor be your own;
Our Alma Mater always, Your loyal children we; Together let us face the future, Hail C.C.
Attendees: Please Join Us In Singing.
PROGRAM
Presiding: L. Song Richardson, President of Colorado College
PRELUDE
“Lebhaft from Sonata II” ………………………………………. Paul Hindemith (1895 – 1963)
Eric Wicks | Colorado College Organist
PROCESSIONAL*
“Royal Knights: A Ceremonial March” ………………………………………. Christopher Tambling (1964 – 2015)
Eric Wicks | Colorado College Organist
INVOCATION*
Kate Holbrook, Chaplain to the College
THE COLORADO COLLEGE HYMN*
WELCOME
L. Song Richardson
STUDENT WELCOME
Vicente Blas-Taijeron ’24 | President, Colorado College Student Government Association
CONFERRING OF HONORARY DEGREES
John Weiss ’78, P’22 | Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa
Steven Hayward | Professor of English
Patience Kabwasa | Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa
Florencia Rojo | Assistant Professor of Sociology
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
“The Power of You in the Process”
Patience Kabwasa
*ANTHEM: COLORADO COLLEGE ALMA MATER
“O Colorado College Fair”
Words and music by Charles Hawley ’54 and Professors Earl Juhas and Albert Seay
BENEDICTION*
Kate Holbrook, Chaplain to the College
RECESSIONAL/POSTLUDE*
Please remain standing until the faculty and distinguished guests have exited. Litanies ………………………………………. Jehan Alain (1911 – 1940)
Eric Wicks | Colorado College Organist
John Weiss ’78, P’22
Thirty years ago, in the face of a statewide anti-LGBTQ+ ballot measure that had its roots in our city, John Weiss ‘78, P’22 launched The Colorado Springs Independent alternative weekly, with the goal of making Colorado Springs “a more informed, tolerant, sustainable, authentic, vibrant and welcoming community.” The Indy was the beginning of what became something of a local media empire, which was enormously influential in bringing about Colorado Springs’ undeniable cultural shift over the past three decades towards inclusivity and diversity.
At its height, John’s Colorado Publishing House published eight local papers, including the still-active Colorado Springs Business Journal, the Pikes Peak Bulletin, and Southeast Express, which John founded in 2019 specifically to serve residents of the most diverse zip code in the state.
Recently, John stepped back from the publishing company he founded and donated the Indy and its sister publications to a local nonprofit known as Sixty35 Media — along with a quarter of a million dollars as a grant to help attract matching donations.
Outside of publishing, John has been a fierce community advocate. In 1997, he helped to spearhead the city’s first quality of life tax to support Trails, Open Space and Parks, an extension of which is currently on the ballot. John was also instrumental in the “Indy Give!” Campaign, which raised over $15 million for local nonprofits.
As Director of the Journalism Institute, John has been a valuable community partner in advising students and helping to facilitate journalism internships.
The core values John personifies resonate with those of the college. In particular, his creation of what is, in essence, an independent local media ecosystem is consonant with our “sense of place” — whether we see that as shaped through the CCE, State of the Rockies, or the Journalism Institute and its partners (KRCC, RMPBS). John helped to create the city in which he wanted to live: inclusive and openminded, with a commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability. His legacy is profound, and it is, frankly, a surprise that he hasn’t already been recognized. With his recent retirement, now is the opportune time to act.
Patience Kabwasa Executive Director, Food to Power
For over a decade, Patience Kabwasa has been a leader in the Colorado Springs community and an unwavering resource for Colorado College students and faculty. Patience’s current role as Executive Director of Food to Power represents the culmination of years of collaboration and dedication to community development.
Patience joined Food to Power (then Colorado Springs Food Rescue) when it was a nascent project started by CC students, serving as one of its initial board members and eventually one of its first core employees. Over the years, she has collaborated with CC alumni and students to grow it into a truly community-based grassroots organization.
Recently, after successfully organizing a $2.8 million capital campaign, Patience managed the completion of the Hillside Hub, a new urban community garden, neighborhood food center, and workspace run by Food to Power. Patience also acted as a leader in the development and facilitation of El Paso County’s Food Systems Assessment.
Throughout the years, Patience, who is the mother of two children and family caregiver, has also been a leading voice in Black Lives Matter local activism and a mentor to many local activists.
Throughout the years, Patience’s involvement with Colorado College has only strengthened. From mentoring students on gardening in our local climate to helping students launch projects such as Mobile Meals and Colorado Springs Food Rescue, Patience has deepened student learning in connection with the earth and with diverse communities in Colorado Springs. Patience has also hosted CC classes, conducted research in partnership with CC professors, and hosted student interns and externships. And, through these endeavors, Patience has modeled an ethics of care and respect for community and natural environment.
Patience has proven herself as a powerhouse leader working towards healthy local food systems; a persistent advocate for racial, food, and economic justice; and a potent community organizer, advocate, and educator. She enriches the Colorado College community and fosters deeper involvement and investment of CC students and alums in the City of Colorado Springs.