Southwestern College Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Sunday, May 10, in Richard L. Jantz Stadium.  This will mark the final Commencement ceremony for the outgoing president Dick Merriman. Merriman announced in December that he was leaving Southwestern to become the president of the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. 
           
President Merriman will receive an honorary doctorate in leadership during the ceremony.  According to Andy Sheppard, provost at Southwestern College, given the long-term commitment that Merriman has made to Southwestern College and his contributions to the Winfield community, a special committee consisting of faculty, students, and members of the board of trustees determined that the honorary doctorate in leadership was the most fitting award. 
           
“Dick’s accomplishments at SC are visible in our much improved campus environment and the outstanding colleagues whom we enjoy every day,” Sheppard says.  “His work has been exemplary and we have all benefited from his dedication to our community.”
           
In his 17 years as president of Southwestern College, Merriman led two capital campaigns and several project-specific fund drives that raised more than $50 million for college projects. This led to a number of campus improvements—construction of Cole Hall and Richard L. Jantz Stadium; creation of Richardson Performing Arts Center and the TOMARI technical theatre center; significant renovations of Mossman Hall and Deets Library; and the rebuilding of the college’s landmark Mound and 77 Steps. He also has built relationships with the city and public schools that have furthered cooperation in the city of Winfield.
           
Commencement times and groups include:
•    1 p.m.—Undergraduate students;
•    5 p.m.—Graduate hooding and Commencement ceremony (in Stewart Field House).
            In case of rain, all ceremonies will be held in Stewart Field House. Commencement schedule and times will be:
•    1 p.m.—Undergraduate students earning B.S. degrees (except B.S. in natural sciences and B.S.A.T);
•    3 p.m.—Undergraduate students earning B.A., B.G.S., B. Mus., B.S. in natural sciences, B.S.A.T., and A.G.S.;
•    5 p.m.—Graduate hooding and Commencement ceremony.   

Commencement activities will be broadcast live on channel 20 in Winfield as well as through closed circuit television on the Southwestern campus.  The graduate hooding and Commencement ceremony will be internet streamed. Viewing locations include the Richardson Performing Arts Center; the Java Jinx in the Roy L. Smith Student Center, and the campus life lounge in the lower level of the Roy L. Smith Student Center.  A Webcast of the ceremony can be viewed by following the Commencement link at www.moundbuilder.com.     

SC’s Honors Convocation will be Saturday, May 9, at 4 p.m., in the Richardson Performing Arts Center.  Although this is a traditional main campus program, professional studies learners who qualified for the Dean’s Honor Roll for fall 2014 will be recognized on the printed program. 
Baccalaureate services will be held Sunday, May 10, in the Richardson Performing Arts Center.  The service will begin at 10 a.m. In Richardson, devices to assist those with hearing problems are available in the box office, and an area is reserved for handicapped patrons and their companions in the rear of the hall. 

Inductees to the Order of the Mound will be honored on Sunday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m., at the Cole Mound Plaza (in case of inclement weather, in Messenger Recital Hall in the Darbeth Fine Arts Building). The Order of the Mound recognizes students graduating in the top 10% of the class.  Graduates will be notified May 8 and 9 if they qualify for this honor.
Parking for graduation day will be available for persons with handicap permits in the parking lot between Christy Administration Building and Roy L. Smith Student Center.  Security personnel will assist in finding parking and by providing transportation on golf carts.  Parking will also be available at Winfield High School with shuttle service to the Commencement site. 

For more information call (620) 229-6223 or go to www.sckans.edu/registrar.  Click on the graduation link for further details.