News
& Events
Daughter
of Late Robert F. Kennedy to Give Keynote Address at Mount Mercy
College Commencement
CEDAR
RAPIDS, Iowa (May 2, 2008) – Kathleen Kennedy Townsend,
daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, will be the keynote speaker
at Mount Mercy College commencement exercises on Saturday, May
17 at 10:00 a.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.
Kennedy Townsend’s
speech at Mount Mercy’s commencement builds upon the Mount
Mercy-Kennedy connection that began in the 1950’s. Members
of the Kennedy family have visited the Mount Mercy campus seven
times in the College’s nearly 80-year history. The Kennedy
family’s affinity for Mount Mercy arose from the family’s
strong Catholic background and their connection to the Sisters
of Mercy, the founders of Mount Mercy.
Kennedy Townsend,
the eldest child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was Maryland’s
first woman Lt. Governor. She serves on a number of non-profit
boards, including as chairman of the Institute for Human Virology
at the University of Maryland, and as a member of the board of
the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, the Points of Light Foundation,
National Catholic Reporter, and the Character Education Partnership,
among others. While serving as the chairman of the board of the
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, Kennedy Townsend created the Robert
F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. She is also a member of the Council
on Foreign Relations.
Mount Mercy’s
two highest awards for graduates will be presented at commencement:
The Mary Catherine McAuley Award and the Mary Frances Warde Award.
The McAuley Award is the highest honor given to a student attending
Mount Mercy for four years. The Warde Award is the highest honor
given to a student who has transferred into Mount Mercy.
Mount Mercy
College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs John Marsden,
Ph.D., will introduce the candidates and President Christopher
Blake, Ph.D., will confer Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business
Administration, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Applied Arts,
Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science in Nursing
degrees during the ceremony.
Gregory Blythe,
a biology major from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will deliver an address
on behalf of the senior class. He plans to speak about the importance
of lifelong learning. Blythe has been an active member of the
men’s cross country and track and field teams, as well as
being named to the Dean’s List multiple times, was a member
of the Stang’s Christian Fellowship Club, Biology Club,
and took part in several Campus Ministry service projects.
Schedule
of Events
Friday,
May 16
4:00 p.m.
– Honors Convocation in the Chapel of Mercy. Mount Mercy
students will be recognized for achievements and excellence in
academics, leadership and service. Among the awards presented
at the convocation is the President’s Award, given to a
graduating senior who has demonstrated a strong academic record,
engagement in the campus community and service to others.
7:00 p.m.
– Nursing Pinning Ceremony in Hennessey Recreation Center.
At the Mount Mercy Department of Nursing Pinning Ceremony, a long
standing school tradition, nursing graduates are presented with
their nursing class pin.
Saturday,
May 17
10:00 a.m.
– Commencement ceremony at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar
Rapids.
12:00 p.m.
– Commencement Party on Busse-Regina plaza. Mount Mercy
will host a graduation party immediately following commencement
until 2:00 p.m. Graduates and their families and friends are invited
to campus for the outdoor celebration.
Contacts:
Stacey Jones, Assistant Director of Marketing
(319) 368-6475, sjones@mtmercy.edu
Molly Altorfer, Director of Communications and Marketing
(319) 368-6475, maltorfer@mtmercy.edu
