2023 Drake University Winter Commencement by Drake University

drake university commencement

two thousand twenty three drake knapp center — des moines, iowa

The One Hundred and Fifty-Fifth Commencement of Drake University

December Sixteenth, Two Thousand Twenty-Three Saturday Morning at Ten O’Clock doctorate, master, specialist, bachelor degrees

knapp center — des moines, iowa

Our mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation. Our inspiration is that together we transform lives and strengthen communities.

THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIFTH COMMENCEMENT OF DRAKE UNIVERSITY

Commencement Program december the sixteenth, two thousand twenty-three, ten o’clock in the morning

the academic processional.. . . . . . . . . . . Land of Hope and Glory: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 Edward Elgar

the call to order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Johansen Board of Trustees

the national anthem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabriel M. McKee the drake hymn Class of May 2026

introduction of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marty Martin platform party and remarks President student remarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian A. Orellana Class of December 2023

the presentation .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sue J. Mattison of candidates Provost the conferring of degrees. . . . . . . . . . . . President Martin the presentation of diplomas.. . . . . . . . . President Martin and Deans of the Colleges and Schools

the academic recessional. . . . . . . . . . . . Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 Edward Elgar

MARSHALS OF THE UNIVERSITY

university marshal

Craige C. Wrenn Professor of Pharmacology

assistant marshals

Rachel Paine Caufield Professor of Political Science

Kelly B. Bruhn Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication/Associate Dean

Stacy L. Gnacinski Associate Professor of Health Sciences

Thomas H. Root Associate Professor of Finance

faculty marshals

Catherine W. Gillespie Professor of Education

John P. Rovers Professor of Pharmacy Practice

student marshals

John D. Edwards

Associate Dean for Information Resources, Professor of Law

Jerrid W. Kruse Professor of Education

Brian J. Sweeney Assistant Professor of Practice in Accounting

Neil O. Ward

Associate Professor of Graphic Design, Art and Design

announcing of graduates

Charles R. Phillips Professor of Pharmacy Administration 4

school of education Dean Ryan M. Wise

doctorate Dianna Gray Ph.D., Education dissertation title: Retention in Online Learning: A Model of Self-Determination Theory dissertation advisor: Dr. Catherine Gillespie

Tori Ann Rabe Ph.D., Education dissertation title: Exploring Self- and Collective Efficacy as Determinants of the Perceptions of School Climate dissertation advisor: Dr. Robyn Cooper

Justin Lynn Herrick Ph.D., Education dissertation title: Re-Engaging Veteran Teachers in Professional Development: Fostering Environment and Voice dissertation advisor: Dr. Robyn Cooper

Jae Ryu Ed.D., Leadership capstone title: Supporting International Students' Development of a Growth Mindset dissertation advisor: Dr. Ryan Wise

Maria T. Lantz Ed.D., Leadership capstone title: Social and Emotional Learning: A Catalyst for Systemic Growth in Students and Adults dissertation advisor: Dr. Randal Peters

Bret Sikkink Ph.D., Education dissertation title: Predicting Active Teaching Methods: Investigating the Personal Epistemology of Economics Educators dissertation advisor: Dr. Robyn Cooper

Skylar D. Mayberry-Mayes Terry S. Welker Ph.D., Education Ph.D., Education dissertation title: dissertation title: Corporate Social Responsibility…And then Some: Do You Fit?: A Case Study on How Iowa A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Career Public-School Board Presidents Apply Cultural Fit Experiences of MBA Graduates and Their to the Selection Process of New Superintendents Attraction to Employers dissertation advisor: dissertation advisor: Dr. Robyn Cooper Dr. Tom Buckmiller Rebecca Leigh Peterson Ed.D., Leadership capstone title: Creating Inclusion and Belonging: Working Together to Improve Health and Equity at MercyOne dissertation advisor: Dr. Robyn Cooper

Christian Taylor White Ph.D., Education dissertation title: Examining Teachers’ Experiences With Teacher Leadership Roles: Insights From the Building Leaders in Urban Education (BLUE) Program dissertation advisor: Dr. Jill Johnson

Dayna S. Willis-Champoux Ph.D., Education dissertation title: Exploring the Partnership Experiences of Secondary Transition Practitioners: Striving To Improve Employability Outcomes For Secondary Students with Disabilities dissertation advisor: Dr. Mike Couvillon

master and specialist degrees Elizabeth Ann Ahrens Emily Jane Garcia M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Ed.S., Educational Administration Mariah Girling Donnyta K Alexander M.S., Counseling M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Ruth Frances Grace Donna Kay Ascherl M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction M.S.E., Literacy Education Adrian John Aswegen Justin Gutknecht M.S., Counseling M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Joseph Bagley Jillian Dawn Hansen M.A.T., Secondary Education M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Brandon David R Barker Abigail Jean Marie Hassel M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Renee Lynn Becker Logan Hemphill M.S., Counseling M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Andrea Berndt Olivia Ann Hennings Ed.S., Educational Administration M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Sarah Best Kelsey Jane Hoeksema M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Ed.S., Educational Administration Jessica Marie Iyan Wenck Kate Bibbs M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction M.S.T., Elementary Education Joni Lynn Blakeman Ryan Koning M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Jonathan David Boss Nicole Elizabeth Kudrna M.A.T., Secondary Education M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Justin Ray Bowers Tabatha M. Lamb M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Ed.S., Educational Administration McKenzie Christine Larson TJ Briscoe M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Emily Jo Cammon Jordan Lee Leckband M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Ed.S., Educational Administration Angela Marie Leeper Kerrin Marie Carlson M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Courtney Carroll Jessica Manning M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Ed.S., Educational Administration Caitlin Ann Meader Melanie Carver M.S., Counseling M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Melissa Meier Mandy K. Cherry M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Holly Lynn Cooper Sarah Mercer-Smith M.S.E. Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction M.S., Counseling Deidre Meyer Dawn K. Cullison Ed.S., Educational Administration M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Ashlie M. Morgan Marisa DeVito M.S., Counseling M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Alicia Ann Mutapcic Christopher Thomas Dusek M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Ed.S., Educational Administration 7

Laura LeeAnn Odeen M.S.E.,Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Nathan Gilbert Opheim M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Morgan Elizabeth Page M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Lee Renae Parkison M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Jolena Perri M.S., Counseling Joshua T. Peter M.S.E., Effective Teaching Allison Raum M.A.T., Secondary Education Rachel Vivian Robbins M.S.T., Elementary Education Abigail M House M.A.T., Secondary Education Allie Salz M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Jeff Sanders, Jr. Ed.S., Educational Administration Adam Michael Simpson M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Lucinda Ann Sinclair M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Benjamin Robert Smith M.A.T., Secondary Education Victoria Anne Smith M.S.E., Effective Teaching Bryan Solberg M.S.T., Elementary Education Michael Southmayd M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Allison Jessie Lietz M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction

Samantha Mercedes Thompson M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Angela Tonasket M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Julia Jai Townsend M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Jennifer Leigh Varghese M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Tiffani Veen M.S., Counseling Karin Marie Smith Vomacka M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Cassidy Nicole Wagner M.S., Counseling Connor Ward M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Elizabeth Waxman Ed.S., Educational Administration Jeff Wenke M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Nicole Manon Westcott M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Lucy Noel Wiggins M.S., Counseling Guy Timothy Willey Ed.S., Educational Administration Joseph Wilson III Ed.S., Educational Administration Marissa Ann Wright-Post M.S.E., Effective Teaching Connor Wyrick M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction Lyndsey Zobrist M.S.E., Culturally Responsive Leadership & Instruction

bachelor degrees Bradley Brodsky B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education Tess Bursch B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education Chloe Lynn Jones B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education Maggie Lumley B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education

Aubrianna Elizabeth McKee B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education Brian Alexander Orellana B.S.E., Secondary Teacher Education Jessica Anne Rudin B.S.E., Elementary Teacher Education

school of education honors summa cum laude

departmental honors

Maggie Lumley

Chloe Lynn Jones Maggie Lumley Aubrianna Elizabeth McKee Brian Alexander Orellana

magna cum laude Aubrianna Elizabeth McKee

cum laude Chloe Lynn Jones Brian Alexander Orellana 9

college of arts and sciences & school of fine arts Dean Gesine Gerhard

bachelor degrees Olivia Catherine Anania B.A., History Beck Anshutz B.A., Psychology Carly Arguelles B.F.A., Musical Theatre Busiwa Alebi Mesia Asinga B.A., International Relations Katie Barnhart B.M.E., Music Education B.M., Instrumental Performance Leah Bell B.A., English Morgan Elizabeth Brandt B.S., Computer Science Sydney Angelle Bridges B.M.E., Music Education Haley Bush B.A., Sociology Ava Christine Courneya B.A., Law, Politics & Society, Sociology Gabriel Ferdinando D’Alessio B.S., Data Analytics Josefina C. DeLaCruz B.A., International Relations Julian Desens B.A., Chemistry Koy B. Drabek B.S., Biology Alyssa Joy Enderton B.A., Psychology Nolan F. Engmann B.S., Kinesiology Colin Frier B.A., Writing Nala Aurelia Gauvin B.A., Biology Bridget Hall B.A., Law, Politics & Society, Sociology Princess Hart B.A., Graphic Design Petra Joy Hemphill B.A., Psychology Katherine Ann Henry B.A., History

Colin Jensen B.S., Computer Science, Data Analytics Daniel J. Kiefer B.A., Law, Politics & Society, Mathematics Isabella Ksiazak B.F.A., Painting Jaklyn Pearl Lamphier B.M.E., Music Education Neva Caitlyn Lesch B.A., Writing Meghan Leto B.A., Anthropology/Sociology Elizabeth Moffett B.A., Law, Politics & Society Hung V. Nguyen B.S., Computer Science Keegan E. Northcutt B.A., Psychology Brian Alexander Orellana B.S., Math for Secondary Education Radhika Patel B.S., Psychology Aanika Isabelle Pfister B.A., Writing Brandon Ratsamy B.S., Computer Science Olivia Reiser B.S., Psychology Ryan Sleister B.S., Individualized Major: Health Business & Technology Chase J. Spencer B.A., American Politics Angel Strong B.S., Environmental Science Gage Vander Leest B.A., Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology, Biology Cayleigh Lynne Whitlow B.M.E., Music Education Trinity Wolver B.A., Law, Politics & Society David Ye B.S., Computer Science Anya Zarembski B.S., Data Analytics, Mathematics

college of arts and sciences & school of fine arts honors summa cum laude Koy B. Drabek Colin Frier Daniel J. Kiefer Aanika Isabelle Pfister

magna cum laude Carly Arguelles Katie Barnhart Leah Bell Morgan Elizabeth Brandt Nolan F. Engmann Princess Hart Colin Jensen Isabella Ksiazak Meghan Leto Hung V. Nguyen Olivia Reiser Gage Vander Leest Anya Zarembski

cum laude Beck Anshutz Alyssa Joy Enderton Elizabeth Moffett Brian Alexander Orellana Chase J. Spencer

kappa mu epsilon (mathematics honor society) Daniel J. Kiefer Brian Alexander Orellana Anya Zarembski

lambda alpha (anthropology society) Meghan Leto

phi beta kappa (national honor society) Not determined until Spring 2024

psi chi (psychology honor society) Alyssa Joy Enderton Natalie J. Forck Petra Joy Hemphill

sigma tau delta (english honor society) Petra Joy Hemphill Aanika Isabelle Pfister

departmental honors Carly Arguelles Leah Bell Morgan Elizabeth Brandt Koy B. Drabek Colin Frier Princess Hart Colin Jensen Daniel J. Kiefer Isabella Ksiazak Meghan Leto Aanika Isabelle Pfister Anya Zarembski

zimpleman college of business Dean Alejandro J. Hernandez

master degrees Tyler Adam Baird M.P.A., Public Administration Ryan E. Bartlett M.P.A., Public Administration Joshua Wayne Benoit M.P.A., Public Administration Jason Bishop M.B.A., Business Administration Adrienne R. Burns M.P.A., Public Administration Iran A. Carlos Martinez M.P.A., Public Administration George Alexander Chamoun M.B.A., Business Administration Hayley Lauren Conroy M.B.A., Business Administration Amanda Marie Fielder-Lembke M.P.A., Public Administration Brooke Granzow M.B.A., Business Administration Nicholas Jacobson M.S., Business Analytics Katie Kelleher M.B.A., Business Administration Elias Kim M.B.A., Business Administration Karen Christine Kolbet M.B.A., Business Administration Jaden-lynn Logan M.S., Business Analytics Cristina Marier M.P.A., Public Administration Caroline McLean M.Acc., Accounting Andrew David Nelson M.B.A., Business Administration Nathan William Osterstock M.B.A., Business Administration

Matthew Frank Pascal M.Acc., Accounting Bartosz Polowniak M.S., Business Analytics Kirbie A. Porter M.B.A., Business Administration Sophia Lin Preys M.Acc., Accounting Rebecca Anne Reagan M.P.A., Public Administration Logan S. Reisinger M.B.A., Business Administration Alexis Simone Robinson M.P.A., Public Administration Amber Rodgers M.P.A., Public Administration Sami Sanger M.B.A., Business Administration John Rory Scanlon M.Acc., Accounting Ryan Michael Schweizer M.B.A., Business Administration Amanda Marie Sinkewjz M.Acc., Accounting Annette Lynn Smith M.B.A., Business Administration Ashley Lauren Smith M.Acc., Accounting Brett Stiles M.P.A., Public Administration Taylor Sue Tovrea M.B.A., Business Administration Megan Elizabeth Traxel M.Acc., Accounting Marco Velasco M.B.A., Business Administration Brian Joseph Werner M.S., Business Analytics

bachelor degrees Mathany Ahmed B.S.B.A., Marketing Walid Alkasem B.S.B.A., Finance Busiwa Alebi Mesia Asinga B.S.B.A., International Business Brenden Robert Burton B.S.B.A., Marketing, Business Law Nicholas Michael Cagnetto B.S.B.A., Finance Shannon Renee Carroll B.S.B.A., Marketing Ian Chandler Corwin B.S.B.A., Accounting Gabriel Ferdinando D’Alessio B.S.B.A., Business Studies Halle Jo De Penning Yatchak B.S.B.A., Marketing Phoenix Ford B.S.B.A., International Business Zackary Angus Gray B.S.B.A., Marketing Andrew P. Grout B.S.B.A., Marketing Victoria Guevara Prado B.S.B.A., International Business Courtney Noel Hinrichs B.S.B.A., Actuarial Science/Finance Colin Robert Howard B.S.B.A., Management & Organizational Leadership, Economics Erica Renae Johnson B.S.B.A., International Business, Management & Organizational Leadership Laney Sue Johnson B.S.B.A., Accounting

Abbas Jumani B.S.B.A., International Business Yuan Sen Kwang B.S.B.A., Data Analytics Celiane Lee B.S.B.A., Actuarial Science Neva Caitlyn Lesch B.S.B.A., Management & Organizational Leadership Sarah Elizabeth Lommen B.S.B.A., Accounting Joseph Harper Lukrich B.S.B.A., Finance Carolina Maldonado B.S.B.A., Business Law Madison A. Melohn B.S.B.A., Management & Organizational Leadership Peter H. Montag B.S.B.A., Actuarial Science Keegan E. Northcutt B.S.B.A., Management & Organizational Leadership Lopou Peal B.S.B.A., Marketing Charles James Puhl B.S.B.A., Actuarial Science, Data Analytics Elizabeth Dianne Rader B.S.B.A., Accounting, Information Systems Jonathan Rus B.S.B.A., Actuarial Science Benjamin Douglas Schell B.S.B.A., Actuarial Science Connor Mihailo Visnic B.S.B.A., Finance Halle Bree Wolfe B.S.B.A., Marketing Emma Lynn Younkin B.S.B.A., Management & Organizational Leadership

zimpleman college of business honors

summa cum laude

departmental honors

Courtney Noel Hinrichs Yuan Sen Kwang Celiane Lee

Courtney Noel Hinrichs Colin Robert Howard Erica Renae Johnson Yuan Sen Kwang Celiane Lee Charles James Puhl Halle Bree Wolfe

magna cum laude Halle Jo De Penning Yatchak Victoria Guevara Prado Colin Robert Howard Joseph Harper Lukrich Charles James Puhl Benjamin Douglas Schell Halle Bree Wolfe Emma Lynn Younkin

cum laude Brenden Robert Burton Zackary Angus Gray Erica Renae Johnson Laney Sue Johnson Sarah Elizabeth Lommen

alpha kappa psi scholarship winners Not determined until Spring 2024

delta sigma pi scholarship winners Not determined until Spring 2024

pi alpha alpha (national honor society for public administration) Adrienne R. Burns Iran A. Carlos Martinez Rebecca Anne Reagan Brett Stiles

college of pharmacy and health sciences Dean Renae J. Chesnut

doctoral degrees Lauren Z. Lerner O.T.D., Occupational Therapy

master degrees Elizabeth Ashleigh Cozad-Calhoun M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics Claire Hill M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics Latisha McGuire M.S., Health Informatics & Analytics

bachelor degrees Victoria Karaj Kampel B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Applied Abby Amelia Lewis B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Applied Jaita Claire Nolting B.S., Health Sciences: Clinical & Applied

college of pharmacy and health sciences honors summa cum laude

departmental honors

Lauren Z. Lerner

Lauren Z. Lerner Abby Amelia Lewis

magna cum laude Abby Amelia Lewis

cum laude Jaita Claire Nolting 16

school of journalism and mass communication Dean Catherine Staub

master degrees Anthony Brett Behnke M.A.C., Communication Leadership Ryan Cardarella M.A.C., Communication Leadership Polly Marie Carver-Kimm M.A.C., Brand Communication Ashley Jared-Salow M.A.C., Communication Leadership Anastasia Regina Morgan M.A.C., Brand Communication Chelsey D. Teachout M.A.C., Brand Communication Olivia A. Tigges M.A.C., Public Affairs & Advocacy

bachelor degrees Brooke Elizabeth Busch B.A.J.M.C., Strategic Political Communication, Public Relations Alexandra L. Emberton B.A.J.M.C., Strategic Political Communication, Public Relations

Courtney Rose Jackson B.A.J.M.C., Magazine Media Shawn McClard B.A.J.M.C., Digital Media Production Morgan Char Regier B.A.J.M.C., Digital Communication

school of journalism and mass communication honors magna cum laude

kappa tau alpha

Brooke Elizabeth Busch

Brooke Elizabeth Busch Polly Marie Carver-Kimm Ryan Cardarella Anastasia Regina Morgan

departmental honors Brooke Elizabeth Busch

law school Dean Jerry L. Anderson

juris doctor Madelyn Ellen Hurn J.D., Law Joshua Lee Schuhardt J.D., Law

master of jurisprudence Lauren N. Clements M.J., Compliance & Risk Management Angela D. Haley M.J., Compliance & Risk Management Hillary M. Kruse M.J., Compliance & Risk Management Patricia A. Lamm M.J., Compliance & Risk Management Miranda Peterson M.J., Compliance & Risk Management Michael Tamba Salia M.J., Compliance & Risk Management Terica C. Smith M.J., Compliance & Risk Management

law school designation of honors* honors Joshua Lee Schuhardt

*The degree may be conferred with “Highest Honors” upon a student who graduates in the top 10 of their graduating class, with “High Honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.5 or above, but is not included in the top 10, and with “Honors” upon a student whose final cumulative grade point average is 3.25 to 3.49. A degree may be conferred “with honors” upon a student only if that student’s final cumulative grade point average places him or her in the top 40 percent of his or her class. The honors designations in the program are based upon grades earned through the Spring 2023 semester, without regard to the top 40 percent requirement and are subject to change based upon grades earned thereafter. This commencement program, therefore, does not constitute an official list of confirmed graduates or confirmed academic honors for the December 16, 2023, commencement at Drake University. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not signify that degrees and academic honors have been awarded unless all pertinent academic requirements have been met.

HONORS DESIGNATION

Honors at Graduation Students who have attained academic excellence and high scholastic achievement on the basis of cumulative grade point average of 60 or more undergraduate hours at Drake University are recognized with the following honors: Cum Laude - Students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.69 Magna Cum Laude - Students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.70 and 3.89 Summa Cum Laude - Students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.90 and above Transfer students who have fewer than 60 hours may receive honors based on criteria outlined in the Drake catalog.

The Honors Program The Honors Program is an all-University concentration with an interdisciplinary curriculum that allows students to supplement their personal educational goals by exploring unique subjects and pursuing special projects. Students in the Honors Program earn University Honors by completing 19 credit hours in honors seminars, conducting and presenting a three-credit Honors senior thesis project, and achieving a 3.2 or higher cumulative grade point average. HONOR SOCIETIES Alpha Kappa Delta — Sociology Beta Alpha Psi — Accounting Beta Beta Beta — Biology Chi Omega Lambda — Chemistry Kappa Delta Pi — Education Kappa Mu Epsilon — Mathematics Kappa Tau Alpha — Journalism Lambda Alpha — Anthropology Nu Rho Psi — Neuroscience Omicron Delta Epsilon — Economics Order of Omega — Greek

Phi Alpha Theta — History Phi Beta Kappa — Scholarship Phi Delta Epsilon — Pre-Medicine Phi Lambda Sigma — Pharmacy Leadership Pi Alpha Alpha — Public Administration Pi Kappa Lambda — Music Pi Sigma Alpha — Political Science Pi Theta Epsilon — Occupational Therapy Psi Chi — Psychology Rho Chi — Pharmacy Sigma Tau Delta — English IAPLS — Undergraduate Research

Academic excellence, outstanding performance, leadership, upholding the highest standards and ideals, character, personality, promise of success and high level of ability, talent, and potential are the various criteria for membership in these organizations. The honors designations are based upon grades earned through the Spring 2023 semester and are subject to change based upon grades earned thereafter. This commencement program does not constitute an official list of confirmed graduates or confirmed academic honors for the December 16, 2023, commencement at Drake University. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not signify that degrees and academic honors have been awarded unless all pertinent academic requirements have been met.

HONORS RECIPIENTS

the honors program university honors Petra Joy Hemphill Aanika Isabelle Pfister Angel Strong Anya Zarembski

order of omega Brian Alexander Orellana

alpha lambda delta Maria Leonard Senior Book Award Graduating seniors with the highest grade point average

Not determined until Spring 2024 omicron delta kappa Not determined until Spring 2024

COMMENCEMENT TRADITION

The Academic Costume The pageantry and dress of the University commencement have been inherited from the medieval universities of the 12th and 13th centuries. Academic life as we know it today began in the Middle Ages, first in the Church and then in the guilds. The teaching guild was the Guild of the Master of Arts, where the Bachelor was the apprentice of the Master and the dress was the outward sign of privilege and responsibility. Principal features of academic dress are the gown, the cap, and the hood. It became necessary for universities to set rules to preserve the dignity and meaning of academic dress. Both Cambridge and Oxford, since the 15th century, have made academic dress a matter of university control even to its minor details, and have repeatedly published revised regulations. American universities agreed on a definite system in 1895. In 1932, the American Council on Education presented a revised code. In 1959, the Council appointed a committee on academic costumes and ceremonies. Since 1960, the revised guidelines have provided guidance for the latest developments in higher education— the Associate in Arts and the Associate in Science degrees granted by the community and junior colleges. The Specialist in Education degree also is recognized and regulated by the latest revisions in the code for academic dress.

the gown The flowing gown comes from the 12th century. While it originally may have been worn as protection against the cold of unheated buildings, today it has become symbolic of the democracy of scholarship, for it covers any dress of rank or social standing underneath. It is black for all degrees with pointed sleeves for the bachelor’s degree; long closed sleeves with a slit at the arm or wrist for the master’s degree; and full bell double sleeves for the doctorate degree. Bachelor’s and master’s degree gowns have no trimming. For the doctorate degree the gown is faced down the front with velvet and has three bars of velvet across the sleeves, in the color distinctive to the faculty or discipline of the degree. The code allows institutions to adopt their own design and color that better expresses the individuality of the institution.

the cap When Roman law freed the slaves, he won the privilege of wearing a cap. And so the academic cap is a sign of freedom of scholarship and the responsibility and dignity with which scholarship endows the wearer. Old poetry records the cap of scholarship as square, to symbolize the book. In the 15th century, some caps were stiff, some soft, some square; and some round with a tuft in the center. The tassel used today is an elaboration of the tuft. While some institutions still use the round cap, most have adopted the mortar board style, which comes from Oxford. A different style, called the Cambridge cap, resembles a large beret and is appropriate for doctorate degrees only. The color of the tassel denotes the discipline. Those holding doctorate degrees are entitled to wear metallic-gold tassels.

the hood The hood is trimmed with one or more chevrons of a secondary color on the ground of the primary color of the college. The color of the facing of the hood denotes the discipline represented by the degree; the color of the lining designates the university or college from which the degree was granted. The colors associated with the different disciplines are as follows: Agriculture — Maize Athletic Training — Sage Green Journalism — Crimson Philosophy — Dark Blue Arts, Letters, General Studies — White Law — Purple Physical Education — Sage Green Business and Commerce — Drab Library Science — Lemon Public Administration — Peacock Blue Economics — Copper Medicine — Green

Science — Golden Yellow Education — Light Blue Music — Pink Social Work — Citron Fine Arts — Brown Nursing — Apricot Occupational Therapy — Slate Blue Speech — Silver Grey Forestry — Russet Pharmacy — Olive Green Theology — Scarlet

The Ceremonial Mace Since the Middle Ages, the mace has been used in the courts by rulers to signify their power and authority. When placed on the rostrum, it indicated that the governing body was in formal session. The ceremonial mace is carried by a mace bearer or by the beadle, an official in the British university who leads the academic procession. The symbol has been adopted in American higher education and is carried by the marshal of the University at official academic convocations. The ceremonial mace was carried in the academic procession of Drake’s annual commencement ceremony for the first time in 1983. The mace and stand were created by Professor Emeritus Condon Kuhl, then professor of art at Drake University. The mace is handcrafted from ebony and overlaid and appointed with silver. It measures two and one-half feet in length and weighs about five pounds.