University of Mary Celebrates 50th Graduating Class and the Unfolding of the Founding Sisters' Vision: Welder, OSB, was honored with the Doctor of the University, honoris causa. Welder also will deliver the commencement address, speaking on servant leadership and the transformative role of Benedictine values in daily living. A total of 539 undergraduate and 360 master's degrees, including the university's first master's degrees in strategic leadership, were presented to graduates in some 62 areas of study. The university also conferred the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree on the 30 graduates comprising its fifth and largest doctoral class. Ninety-one undergraduate degrees were awarded cum laude; 63, magna cum laude; and 40, summa cum laude. And 63 students who participated in the Harold Schafer Emerging Leaders Academy honors leadership program in business/communications, education, human services, and health care, were awarded the Certified Schafer Leader designation. This year's graduating class includes outstanding men and women from 31 states and nine foreign countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Nepal, and Singapore). One hundred seventy-nine baccalaureate degrees and 297 master's degrees were awarded to graduates of the University of Mary's distance education programs, including the fourth class of online degree program graduates. Father James Shea, for whom this year's graduation was his first as president, noted, "This year's graduates and this year's ceremony are living witness to the power of faith. The graduates of 2010 carry with them the knowledge to succeed and the values and wisdom passed on from the university's founding Sisters through generations of community. Their experiences at the University of Mary have prepared them to be leaders in the service of truth. And the contributions they have made to the university and will make to the future affirm and carry forward the mission the Sisters began more than 50 years ago." Education, Health Care Leaders Honored as University Ceremony Celebrates Founders' Vision
At its 50th graduation ceremony, the University of Mary awarded honorary doctorates to servant-leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the people of the region in education and health care, U-Mary's first academic majors, and who have exemplified the Benedictine values. The Doctor of Leadership, honoris causa, was conferred on Drs. Riffat "Riff" and Margaret Morgan, visionaries, pioneers, and respected practitioners and innovators in the area medical community for almost three decades. Sister Thomas Welder, OSB, who was U-Mary president from 1978-2009, was awarded the Doctor of the University, honoris causa. This is only time the university has conferred this degree since it was bestowed upon David M. Heskett in 1999, the first year U-Mary awarded honorary doctorates. As its fifth president, in the Benedictine tradition of wisdom and learning, Welder guided the school to phenomenal growth, including graduate degree programs, university status and adult learning programs. An honorary doctorate is the highest honor bestowed by the University of Mary beyond the granting of earned degrees. Only 24 individuals previously have been recognized with this distinction. (Friday, May 7, 2010)

Video: Tom Ackerman