University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies Graduates Largest Class Ever
May 4, 2002
It took inner drive and many sacrifices to complete their journeys, Khristian A. Molchan told his fellow graduates of the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies at their commencement ceremony today. "Many of those sacrifices were not ours alone," he said, "but were made by our parents, our children, our employers."
Molchan spoke on behalf of the largest graduating class ever in the school's history - 105 students received certificates, associate's or bachelor's degrees during the 9:30 a.m. graduation in the Robins Center. Another 19 students were the first group to complete the school's teacher licensure program for adults who have college degrees and some work experience and want to become classroom teachers.
Patricia Bowman Carey, a member of the school's adjunct faculty since 1996, received the 2002 Distinguished Faculty Award, and Fenton N. Hord of Raleigh, N.C., a 1970 graduate of the school, received the 2002 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Carey, who is founder and president of Workforce Strategies and was formerly vice president of human resources and training for East Coast Oil Corp., urged the graduates to find careers that they can be passionate about and to work where they can have fun. "Find your passion and pursue it wholeheartedly. Be a life-long learner." She said it was a privilege to teach students who "choose to stay focused and who sacrifice" to attain their goals.
Hord, who was unable to attend the ceremony, is the former president of Eskimo Pie and now president and CEO of Carolina Holdings Inc., the largest supplier of lumber and building materials to professional contractors in the United States. In a statement to the graduates, he told them his University of Richmond education "laid a great foundation" for his career that he continues to draw upon.
Among the graduates were six staff members of the university, including Molchan, who is a sergeant and crime prevention officer for the University Police Department. He earned a bachelor of liberal arts degree, magna cum laude. Receiving a bachelor of applied studies degree, cum laude, was Robert E. Plymale, a gardener at the university who has been working on his degree for 14 years.
Also "marching" with his class was Robert Blair Woodward who began the pursuit of a college degree exactly 50 years ago, in 1952, when he attended the University of Richmond as a day student. He left Richmond without finishing his degree, but took courses at other colleges while building a successful business in Northern Virginia. Two years ago, at the age of 71, he decided to complete his degree requirements. He will finish his classes in August 2002.
Cynthia Marie Johnson of Richmond, Va., served as mace bearer, an honor awarded to the graduate with the highest grade point average. She received a bachelor of applied studies degree, summa cum laude. Jarita Taylor Fife of Richmond, Va., received the Jean H. Proffitt Student Service Award, presented to the graduating senior recognized by his or her peers for outstanding service to the University community and/or the community at large. She received a bachelor of applied studies degree, cum laude.