Spring Commencement Celebrated
The University of the Incarnate Word celebrated the graduation of
460 of its students at Spring Commencement, with two ceremonies on Saturday,
May 8, at the Alice P. Mc Dermott Convocation
Center.
The first ceremony was held at 11 a.m., with a baccalaureate mass preceding at 9 a.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium. Participants at the morning ceremony included those receiving degrees from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; the Dreeben School of Education; the School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering; and the School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Edward E. Whitacre, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of SBC Communications, Inc., delivered the address during the morning ceremony, at which an honorary doctorate was conferred upon him.
The afternoon ceremony included graduates from the H-E-B School of Business and Administration and the School of Interactive Media and Design.
Robert Dean Loeffler, chief operating officer of H.E. Butt Grocery Company, delivered the address for this ceremony.
Each semester, a few special stories about our graduates come to light, and the Spring of 2004 is no exception. Let us share a few with you ...
Growing Up an Only Child Inspires Career in Child Psychology
CNN Anchor to Walk Stage at Alma Mater
Childhood Experiences Lead Graduate to Career in Medicine
SBC CEO Gets Honorary Degree
Growing Up an Only Child Inspires Career in Child Psychology
University of the Incarnate Word senior Christy Marie Granata has always wanted to work with children. “Helping others is something that my parents have always instilled in me,” Granata said.
Granata will move one step closer to her dream of becoming a child psychologist when she walks the stage at the UIW Spring 2004 commencement at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, in the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center.
Granata's parents will see their only child receive her degree, and she is the first in her family to graduate from college.
Granata will graduate with a bachelor of arts in psychology and sociology. She hopes to work with children in a hospital environment. She has applied for the child life specialist internship at Methodist Hospital.
“Growing up an only child has compelled me to work with children. I wanted to work on a one-to-one basis with children, and believed this was my calling. Becoming a teacher was my second choice, but I wanted a deeper connection - one that involved a spiritual and emotional bond,” Granata said.
Granata has received numerous awards during her four years at UIW. She received the award for “Outstanding Achievement in Psychology” and the “Outstanding President Award” from the Student Government Association while still maintaining a 4.0 grade average.
For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations at (210) 829-6001.
CNN Anchor to Walk Stage at Alma Mater
Communication arts professors at the University of the Incarnate Word remember Cinnamon Stouffer before she became the big CNN Headline news anchor, Linda Stouffer.
“Cinnamon was an excellent student, always interested in how things worked and engaged in making things happen the best they could,” said Valerie Greenberg, assistant professor of communication arts and Stouffer’s former professor.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, Stouffer walked across the stage of her alma mater once again, but this time to receive the award for the 2004 Alumni of Distinction for Professional Achievement.
Stouffer’s tenure with CNN includes coverage of the post-election saga over the presidential ballots in Florida, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the developments of the war in the Middle East.
From 1992-1994, she served the San Antonio community as a general assignments reporter for KMOL-TV.
For more information, contact the Office of Public Relations at (210) 829-6001.
Childhood Experiences Lead Graduate to Career in Medicine
Vickey Edge's journey began many years ago as a child in Cleveland, Ohio, where she spent countless hours waiting for asthma treatments in inner city clinics.
It is those hours of long waiting that she will remember as she listens to the UIW Spring 2004 commencement address at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, in the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center at the University of the Incarnate Word.
Edge will be graduating with a master of arts in biology and the knowledge that she will realize one of her dreams when she begins school at the University of Houston this summer.
" I had too many bad childhood experiences where there was not adequate medical care. I decided that I wanted to work as a doctor in a free clinic so other children would not have to go through what I did. I also want to be a role model for other inner city children so that they can see what the possibilities are for them," Edge said.
Professors at the UIW School of Nursing are excited about Edge's future plans. "Vickey is the perfect mix of quiet strength, compassion, honesty, perseverance, humor and competence. She's going to be a great physician. We are so proud of her," said Dr. Barbara Herlihy, a professor in the UIW School of Nursing.
For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations at (210) 829-6001.
SBC C.E.O. Gets Honorary Degree
The University of the Incarnate Word presented Edward E. Whitacre Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of SBC Communications Inc., a doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, the highest honor Incarnate Word can bestow upon an individual.
" I can't tell you how proud I am to join the graduating seniors on this special day," Whitacre said. "Built on a foundation of faith, UIW seeks to inform the spirit as well as the mind. That is why the University of the Incarnate Word is one of San Antonio's jewels. And it's why graduating from here is so special," he said.
Whitacre, who has been with SBC for more than 40 years, has been recognized numerous times for his outstanding work and leadership. UIW is recognizing Whitacre in particular for his commitment to higher education.
" We're proud to recognize Ed because of the high ideals, values and ethics he represents as a responsible corporate citizen through his position as CEO of SBC," said Louis Agnese, UIW president.
Whitacre received his honorary degree during UIW's Spring Commencement at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, in the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center.
Whitacre has led SBC's historic growth from the smallest of the regional Bell operating companies into one of the leading full-service telecommunications companies in the world. He assumed his current position as SBC's chair of the board and chief executive officer Jan. 1, 1990.
For more information, please contact the Office of Public Relations at (210) 829-6001.
