FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / April 24, 2002
Speakers Announced for Catawba College's Commencement Weekend
SALISBURY -- She's an author, educator, community volunteer, wife and a mother, but Saturday, May 11, Nancy Hunter Denny will be the featured speaker at Catawba College's Graduation Exercise. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. on the lawn of Abernethy Quadrangle.
Hunter Denney, who owns and operates Potential Leadership Training and Lectures in Paxton, Mass., has titled her planned remarks "Where do we go from here?"
More than 250 seniors are expected to participate in the graduation exercise, each taking their turn to walk across the stage and receive their degree. Adding poignancy to the event will be the awarding of an honorary bachelor of science degree to the family of Darris Morris. Morris, a member of the senior class who was planning to graduate May 11, was killed during a January shooting incident on campus.
Other highlights of the graduation exercise will be the presentation of the annual Whitener Awards to a male and female student in the graduating class, the presentation of the Barbara Andrews Award to a top graduate in the Lifelong Learning Program, and the announcement of the receipent of the O.B. Michael Award, given annually to an outstanding alumnus of the college.
Hunter Denney had spoken at Catawba earlier this year at a student government association-sponsored event on September 11. She arrived on campus in tears, having learned of the terrorist attacks and the collapse of the World Trade Center's twin towers via the radio on her drive from the airport.
The author of several books, including "Life by Design," a motivational book on how to achieve a meaningful life, and "Let Your Leadership Speak," Hunter Denney is in constant demand for lectures, training sessions and motivational speeches. She counts among her clients most of the colleges and universities on the East Coast of the U.S., as well as many in the Midwest.
Reverend Jeffrey Wagner, pastor of Lykens Valley Charge in Berrysburg, Penn., will speak during Catawba's Baccalaureate Service at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 in the Omwake-Dearborn Chapel. His address is entitled, "Your Closest Friend."
Wagner, whose daughter Amber is a member of Catawba's 2002 graduating class, is a native of central Pennsylvania. He earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy and religion from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Penn., and his master of divinity degree at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Penn. He has served as pastor at three different parishes of the United Church of Christ in Pennsylvania including Paradise Charge in Turbotville, St. John's UCC in Bellefonte, Penn., and his current church.
The 2002 Commencement Weekend will mark the last in which Catawba's 19th President J. Fred Corriher, Jr., presides. His 10-years as president will end June 1. At that time, his post will be filled by Dr. Robert E. Knott, former president of Tusculum College, former chancellor of Mars Hill College and former provost of Catawba.
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