Commencement

HONORING THE COMMITMENT

Cloudy skies and steady rainfall didn’t damper commencement for the Class of 2021. With more than a year of virtual meetups, social distancing, quarantine, and face coverings, the celebration of achievement, recognition, and resilience was the first event in a return to “the Hill.”

The Class of 2021 was honored on Saturday, May 15 in the Charles Field House with three separate, socially distanced ceremonies. Throughout the day, Culver-Stockton College would confer 33 graduate degrees and 213 undergraduate degrees. The landscape of graduation looked a little different than it has in the past because the administration was committed to ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and families. “We kept our eyes on the goal of having an in-person commencement,” President Douglas B. Palmer said. Several weeks leading up to May, the College closely monitored COVID-19 cases to honor our students in the most deserving way, while also being conscious of the safety protocols. “After a year of the unknown, we are here today to celebrate the completion of their degrees,” Palmer reflected in his speech to the graduates.

The morning program included a student challenge by Alex Gonzalez ’21, and commencement address by Trustee Emeritus Jeff Stuerman ’82. President Palmer and Provost Schellenberger presented the conferral of degrees in Master of Business Administration, followed by baccalaureate degrees. The second ceremony at noon welcomed Trustee Sallie Cunningham ’95 to provide the commencement address, and Kaitlyn Conaway ’21 delivered the student challenge. Dr. Brenda Beshears, Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences President, offered congratulations to students receiving degrees in nursing and health sciences. History was made as the first Master of Athletic Training cohort at C-SC received their graduate degrees, followed by individuals who received their baccalaureate degrees. The final ceremony honoring the Class of 2021 was inspired by The Honorable David Mobley ’83, College Trustee, who provided the commencement address and Cheyenne Grissom ’21 who offered the student challenge. Master of Education degrees and baccalaureate degrees were conferred by the President and Provost.

While institutions around the country cancelled graduation ceremonies or offered virtual celebrations, Culver-Stockton College stayed the course with regard to safety protocols, mindful planning, and research driven recommendations. Graduates were granted four guests at their respective ceremony, arranged in podstyle seating, that maintained social distancing guidelines. All event participants and attendees were distanced and every ceremony was available for live streaming. College decision makers, graduates, and guests were required to adjust and adapt to a pandemic graduation. In the end, everyone took the changes in stride and came together to celebrate the well-deserved accomplishments. It’s not surprising that Wildcats were able to find joy in the process because after all, adaptability is the heart of a liberal arts education and problem solving is what we do.

Commencement 2021 perhaps was not the graduation ceremony they envisioned when they signed the student pledge as incoming students but it was a well-deserved honor. In a year like no other, one thing remained constant: having the opportunity to celebrate with those they hold dearly. As President Palmer best said, “Graduation is a tribute to the students who have worked so hard to get to this point here today.”

Student Speaker Alex Gonzalez

Student Speaker Kaitlyn Conaway

Student Speaker Cheyenne Grissom

For more photos from all ceremonies, visit flickr.com/photos/c-sc/albums

President Douglas B. Palmer

Victoria Alumbaugh and John Kaeshoefer Psychology graduates pose for a photo after their commencement ceremony.

The Honorable David Mobley ’83 Jeff Stuerman ’82

Jasper Natt and Dr. Kanwal Alvarez Kitaurus Blair Sallie Cunningham ’95

Faculty processional Ryan Dooley Provost Lauren Schellenberger

PERSEVERANCE LEADS THE WAY

President Palmer announced President Emerita Kelly M. Thompson as “President for the Day.”

Student Speaker Madison Eisenberg ’20

President Emerita Thompson delivered the commencement address.

Spring break 2020 will forever be the benchmark of interruption that altered closing memories for the Class of 2020 at Culver-Stockton College. The unprecedented season of navigating a global pandemic shifted the learning environment very quickly. Spring break was extended to provide the College time to make best choices for the students and ultimately Wildcats transitioned to virtual learning in completing the spring semester.

Long standing traditions, unique to “the Hill” were cancelled and postponed at a moments’ notice for the safety of the students, faculty, staff and greater community. In addition to changing co-curricular schedules, and adapting to meet learning requirements, C-SC quickly gained new ways to meet student needs in elevation of their success. Nonetheless, degrees were conferred and the Class of 2020 was sent into the world with skills to catapult them into a dynamic world.

As vaccines developed and cases decreased, the commitment to honor the Class of 2020 at a traditional graduation ceremony was strong. Culver-Stockton College was built on traditions of excellence and it was time to welcome alumni home to “the Hill” for a proper celebration. On Sunday, May 16 the 164th Annual Commencement took place at C-SC, honoring the class of 2020. President Douglas B. Palmer welcomed guests to the Charles Field House but told the audience something didn’t feel right. Palmer shared that while he is honored to be the 27th President of Culver-Stockton College, he wasn’t the president for the Class of 2020. He took a quick vote and with great applause, Dr. Palmer announced President Emerita Kelly M. Thompson as “President for the Day.” A welcome was provided by Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Lauren Schellenberger, and a student challenge was offered by Madison Eisenberg ’20. Dr. Thompson addressed her final graduating class by commending their flexibility and reminded them “there will be bumps along the road but the way you choose to respond will determine your happiness.” Dr. Brenda Beshears, President from Blessing Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences provided congratulations to graduates in nursing and health sciences, followed by presentation and conferral of degrees.

The energy in the Charles Field House on the day of commencement for the Class of 2020 was absolutely undeniable, some would suggest that it felt more like a homecoming than a commencement ceremony. Whether C-SC Wildcats have held the title “alumni” for one year or for several, every return to “the Hill” should be acknowledged with gratitude. Each moment spent on campus is a privilege and the Class of 2020 will always cherish the day they were welcomed home to graduate.

President Emerita Kelly M. Thompson and Madison Cowell Dakota Sweeney, Leon O’Hara, Brock Hirn, Kyle Edwards and Lauren Paisley

Leon O’Hara and Shaquille Barker pose with a family member. Athletic Director Pat Atwell presents his son, Eric, with his graduate diploma.

Dr. Kim Gaither ’79, Kailee Gaither ’20 and Dr. Lindsay (Gaither) Uhlmeyer ’04 Mackenzi Anderson and Kelley Hufendick walk through the faculty gauntlet