Richard Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges, will deliver the commencement address Sunday, May 18, at Barton College.
The event starts at 1:30 p.m. on center campus. In the event of rain, commencement will be held in Wilson Gymnasium.
Ekman has served in this national leadership role since 2000. He previously served as vice president for programs of Atlantic Philanthropies and, from 1991 to 1999, as secretary of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
From 1982 until 1991, he was a member of the staff of the National Endowment for the Humanities, first as director of the Division of Education Programs, subsequently as director of the Division of Research Programs.
He currently serves as a member of many boards, including the National Advisory Committee of the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, the Advisory Board of the Johns Hopkins University Press, the Council of Harvard University's Graduate School Alumni Association, and the Board of Overseers Visiting Committee to the Harvard University libraries.
Barton President Norval Kneten will preside over his fifth commencement. Terrence Grimes, vice president for academic affairs, will present the graduating class.
Participating in the ceremony will be some 200 seniors who completed their baccalaureate degree requirements in December 2007 and May, as well as candidates who expect to fulfill requirements over the summer.
The three highest honors presented to Barton students: The Coggins Cup, the Hilley Cup, and the Hemby Leadership Cup, will be awarded.
The Coggins Cup is presented annually to the student voted best all-around by the Barton faculty and staff.
The Hilley Cup is presented annually to the graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade point average.
The Hemby Leadership Cup is presented to the graduating senior, who in the estimation of the college community (students, faculty and staff), has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout a career at Barton.
The Jefferson-Pilot Faculty Member of the Year awards will also be presented. The awards, given annually to two faculty members, include a cash stipend for international study.
Phillip H. Warren, class of 1971, president of the Barton College Alumni Association and its Alumni Board, will bring greetings to the graduating seniors on behalf of the association.
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Barton College Commencement Activities
* Luncheon for seniors and their parents at the Barton-Graves House
Saturday, May 17
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
* Nurse Pinning Ceremony
6 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
* Baccalaureate Sermon
Sunday, May 18
11 a.m.
Howard Chapel
The Rev. Hollie E. Woodruff, college chaplain, will deliver the address
* Lunch
Hamlin Student Center Dining Hall
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
No charge for seniors and $5 each for family and guests
* Commencement
1:30 p.m.
Center Campus
Speaker: Richard Ekman, president of the Council of Independent Colleges