WKU Confers Degrees To 1,917
Graduates At Commencement, Presents
Honorary Doctorate To U.S. Sen. McConnell
May 08, 2004
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Class of 2004 at Western Kentucky University included a U.S. senator, the first recipients of bachelor's degrees in engineering and 1,917 graduates from the United States and 25 nations.
In Saturday's ceremony at L.T. Smith Stadium, the University presented an honorary doctorate to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, recognized honor graduates and faculty award winners, commissioned Army ROTC cadets as second lieutenants, and honored members of the Class of 1954 who were on campus for Golden Anniversary Club activities.
"These individuals," WKU President Gary Ransdell said of the 1954 graduates, "can attest that this day not only marks the completion of a college degree, but it also marks the beginning of a great journey with new opportunities, exciting challenges and memories that will last a lifetime."
Dr. Ransdell and Lois Gray, chair of the Board of Regents, presented Sen. McConnell (R-Ky.) with the honorary doctor of public service degree for his leadership and contributions to Kentucky, the nation and the world. Since 1997, Sen. McConnell has helped secure $35 million in federal appropriations for initiatives at Western and millions of dollars more for initiatives at other Kentucky higher education institutions.
McConnell, a former Jefferson County judge-executive, has been a member of the U.S. Senate since 1985. He was elected majority whip in November 2002 and serves as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and is chairman of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee.
Sen. McConnell urged the Class of 2004 to uphold America's values of democracy, freedom and liberty and noted that Americans have a tradition of sacrificing to help others.
"Whether your sacrifice is a small sacrifice in your hometown helping somebody next to you or whether you engage in a risky sacrifice of joining the military and going overseas and helping in that way, whatever way you choose, I hope that you will dedicate a large portion of the rest of your life to making America and Kentucky a better place to live," Sen. McConnell said.
About 1,400 students participated in the school's 155th Commencement. The May and August graduates included 170 associate's, 1,407 bachelor's, 339 master's and one cooperative doctorate. Victoria Ambrose Cole of Bowling Green received a doctorate in educational administration in a program offered by Western and the University of Louisville. Her daughter, Anne G. Campbell of Bowling Green, received a bachelor's degree in general studies.
Among the bachelor degree recipients were 17 engineering students who are the first graduates of new baccalaureate programs in electrical, mechanical and civil engineering. Western began the joint programs with the universities of Kentucky and Louisville in 2001.
The University also recognized 22 honor graduates, four faculty award winners, two Distinguished University Professors and several retiring faculty members.
Before the commissioning ceremony for 12 graduates of the Hilltopper Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program, Dr. Ransdell saluted all members of the Western family who have served or are serving in the military.
Last spring, he said, 56 WKU students were called to active military duty. "I am pleased to announce that 42 of these students - 75 percent of them - completed their military obligation and returned to the University during this academic year," Dr. Ransdell said.
WKYU-PBS will rebroadcast the ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 9.
For more information, contact the Registrar's Office at (270) 745-3351. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
