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(Leavenworth, Kan.)—In the lead up to its May 4 Commencement Ceremony, the University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ community gathered to recognize the remarkable achievements of the class of 2019 at USM's annual Spring Convocation Honors & Hooding Ceremony on Wednesday, April 24, in Annunciation Chapel on the university's main campus in Leavenworth.

Reflecting on the students' academic journeys—from admission to the present day—USM President Sr. Diane Steele said, "We gather to acknowledge what you have accomplished and who they have become … Now, you are young professionals—liberally educated men and women ready to take your place in our global society, advancing the cause of peace and justice, the very Kingdom of God.

"In short, you have become Saint Marians. Today, we mark this miracle we call 'education' with the hooding ceremony."

The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is one of the few universities in the U.S. continuing the time-honored tradition of hooding its undergraduates. The hoods are worn over the graduation robes and denote a student's specific academic discipline—presented to the graduating students by Sr. Diane Steele.

"Our hooding ceremony is one of the things making us unique," explained Dr. Michelle Metzinger, USM's provost and vice president for academic affairs. "Very few colleges and universities have a hooding ceremony for undergraduates—and at some colleges and universities, the actual hooding ceremony is only for Ph.D.s. At USM, hooding has always been for all of our graduates, and we consider it a very special way to honor academic achievement in a personal way."

Among the students honored at the event:

Juan Tirado Garcia, of Kansas City, Kan., earning the top student service honor—the Mother Mary Ancilla Award for Service.

Tirado-Garcia has spent the past four years asking the simple question, "How can I help?" and following through on the answer he receives. An active member in campus ministry as a lector, along with serving as a Vincentian Leader, Tirado-Garcia has been a staple at the student Mass and university-wide celebrations during his time at the »¨½·Ö±²¥. He's also a member of the »¨½·Ö±²¥ Track & Field team—while also finding time to volunteer at local high school track meets, coordinating service projects with a local senior living facility, and participating in the university's Spring Break Service Trip to New Orleans. Jacob Hayden, director of USM's campus ministry program, said, "What I appreciate about Juan is the joy that he exudes and his humble desire to be of assistance to each person he encounters."

Other USM student awards presented at Spring Convocation included:

• The Chase Student Award in Biology: Juan Tirado-Garcia, Kansas City, Kan., and Mark Stimach, Kansas City, Kan.
• Business Student of the Year: Paige Siewert, Digital Communications Major; Calgary, Alberta

All-University Honors (requires a 3.70 cumulative grade point average, participation in honors work within the major and in Honors Seminar, and Recommendation of the Honors Council for All-University Honors):

• Anne Marie Ast; Biology; Conway Springs, Kan.
• Kaitlynn Ellis; Biology; Sapulpa, Okla.
• Kathleen Koepke; Accounting; Overland Park, Kan.
• Rachel Mary Angelique Martin; Music; Easton, Kan.
• Kendall Alyse Nick; Biology; Kansas City, Kan.
• Darcy Ellyn Noe; Psychology; Bonner Springs, Kan.
• Mary Satkowski; Business Administration and Psychology; Centennial, Colo.
• Samantha Schoon; Exercise Science; Leavenworth, Kan.
• Mark Albert Stimach; Biology; Kansas City, Kan.
• Claire Wilhoite, Biology; Littleton, Colo.

Dr. Kyle Anthony, assistant professor of history, was honored with this year's Sullivan Award for Teaching Excellence and University Leadership and Service. Established in 1990 and named after Sister Mary Louise Sullivan, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth who served »¨½·Ö±²¥ for 45 years as professor and dean, the award is given to a full-time faculty member nominated by students, faculty, and staff as a person who "has made a distinct difference in the teaching climate at the »¨½·Ö±²¥." 

Dr. Anthony exemplifies all that the Sullivan Award stands for—more specifically, the Sullivan Award Committee cited his excellence in course development, ability to motivate students, and concern for the success of USM students.

One nomination said, "Students speak highly of the lessons in his courses and eagerly wait to enroll in the next available courses that this instructor offers"—a tribute to his creative mastery in the classroom and his dynamic approach to learning that hinges on creating a positive learning environment for all his students. 

Dr. Bill Krusemark, music program director and McGilley Chair for Liberal Studies, and Dr. Nancy King, professor of psychology, were also both honored with Professor Emeritus status.

Since 1978, Dr. Krusemark served as the mastermind behind our university's soundtrack. Beyond teaching a full load of music courses and serving as the Sister Janet Mary Janet McGilley Chair, Dr. K conducted the Community Band, the Concert Chorale, the Orchestra, the Handbell Choir, and the Preparatory Division—while also planning dozens of performances throughout the year, including concerts, Commencement, Mass, Matriculation, and Christmas Vespers. In 2014, the Kansas Independent College Association also honored Dr. Krusemark for his teaching excellence with the "Faculty of Distinction" award.  

Dr. King, a stalwart for 28 years, taught a variety of psychology courses, while also leading Freshmen Learning Communities and Senior Integrative Experience courses, and serving on the development team for the applied liberal arts curriculum. She led the university's Mission Council, and she also dedicated her time as co-chair of the Assessment Committee—a group of faculty and staff dedicated to creating a sustainable culture with an embedded mission as well as developing and evaluating methods to assess its effectiveness. In 1996, »¨½·Ö±²¥ honored Dr. King with the university's top teaching honor, the coveted Sullivan Award for Teaching Excellence—and in 2016, the Kansas Independent College Association also named her recipient of their "Faculty of Distinction" award.