Waynesburg University held its annual commencement exercises honoring approximately 650 undergraduate and graduate students Sunday, May 19. Rev. Dr. R. Bruce Bickel delivered the commencement address and The Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves delivered the baccalaureate address.

Jordan Harvey, a senior mathematics (secondary education) major from Butler, Pa., was named the valedictorian and delivered the valedictory to the University.

During her four years at Waynesburg University, Harvey balanced dedication to her studies with a number of extracurricular activities. The Leadership Scholar served as a campus Christian Ministry Assistant, lead bible studies in the residence halls and tutored others in mathematics.

“This is a blessing and I am humbled to have received this honor because it recognizes the intelligence and work ethic that God has gifted me with,” Harvey said. “It is my desire to bring him greater glory because I have been faithful with my gifts.”

Before fall, Harvey hopes to teach high school math at Evangel Heights Christian Academy, where she attended high school.

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Three faculty members received the 2013 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards during Waynesburg University's commencement exercises Sunday, May 19.

Presented annually, one award recognizes a faculty member with a history of teaching excellence. A second award recognizes a faculty member with a relatively recent history of teaching excellence. The third award is given to a non-full-time faculty member at any Waynesburg University site.

Debra Clarke, assistant professor of education and chair of the Department of Education, received the 2013 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Award for a faculty member with a history of teaching excellence.

A colleague stated, “She just gives and gives and gives. She's always willing to listen and make things better. She'll take an idea and just roll with it.”

A student stated, “Mrs. Clarke knows how to challenge me and make me think critically about being a successful and effective teacher. Everything is important in her classes. Everything has a purpose, and I appreciate that.”

The nomination noted that Clarke is the advisor to both the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education and the Waynesburg University chapter of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association.

Clarke holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts from West Virginia University.

Dr. Emmanuel Yogo, assistant professor of physics, received the 2013 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Award for a faculty member with a relatively recent history of teaching excellence.

A student nomination stated, “Dr. Yogo is committed to helping his students in any way that he can. He strongly encourages class participation, which challenges students to look ahead and be prepared to give their own input during the lectures. This challenges his students to be more than just idle listeners.”

The nomination noted that Yogo sets high academic standards and meets with students outside of the classroom to offer advice and feedback on classroom performance. Students wrote that they learned more physics in two semesters than they ever thought possible, thanks to Yogo.

Yogo serves as the advisor of the Engineering Club.

In addition to a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, he holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Bordeaux and a Master of Science from Pierre & Marie Currie University.

Theodore Zobb received the 2013 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Award for a non-full-time faculty member. Zobb is an MBA lecturer for the University's Graduate and Professional Studies program.

“He motivated me by being a good example, and by the investment and commitment he made in helping each of us to learn and succeed,” said one student.

A nomination stated, “Ted has been teaching for over ten years with great success. He actively engages his students through his experiences and skill sets, often giving career advice outside the classroom.”

One nomination noted that Zobb continually mentors other facilitators and students, offers career advice, reviews resumes, offers interviewing techniques and promotes networking opportunities.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris University and his Master of Business Administration from Waynesburg University.

The Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust has established an endowed fund that provides two annual teaching excellence awards for full-time faculty members and one award for a part-time faculty member. Faculty members were nominated by students, faculty or alumni. Each recipient of the Lucas-Hathaway Award for Teaching Excellence received a commemorative plaque and a $1,200 award. The Trust is funded by J. Richard Lucas and C. Joan Hathaway Lucas, members of the class of 1950.

Pictured, left to right, are Theodore Zobb, Dr. Emmanuel Yogo and Debra Clarke.

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Mrs. Carolyn Thyreen, wife of Waynesburg University President Timothy R. Thyreen; Mr. Robert Hackett, president of the Bonner Foundation; and the Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves, professor of reformed theology at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, were awarded honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees during Waynesburg University's commencement exercises Sunday, May 19.

The degrees were conferred upon Thyreen, Purves and Hackett for the ways in which they parallel Waynesburg University's mission of faith, learning and serving.

Members of the Waynesburg University Board of Trustees presented the recipients and assisted with investitures.

The following citations were read:

Mrs. Carolyn Thyreen

Carolyn Thyreen, in recognition of your leadership as Waynesburg University's First Lady for twenty-three years, Waynesburg University honors you.

Your dedication to Waynesburg University's founding mission of 1849 at the forefront of the University's manifold endeavors has been an inspiration for a generation of students, alumni, faculty, administrators, staff, Trustees and friends of the University.

Along with President Timothy R. Thyreen, you have demonstrated that an institution in our secular age is capable, with steady faith and determination, to reclaim its Christian heritage. You have thus advanced Christ's kingdom.

You have carried the light of The Lamp to every corner of the world as an ambassador of your faith in God and your conviction to the principles upon which this University was founded.

Providing strong gentle counsel, wisdom, and encouragement to countless individuals throughout the University's extended family, you have earned gratitude and respect for your personal integrity, loyalty and devotion to missions.

As our own Margaret Bell Miller was described as “a lady of extraordinary earnestness and devotion,” it is with the same appreciation and admiration that we recognize you, Carolyn Thyreen, as a compassionate and influential role model. Yours is a legacy that will endure beyond our time.

For the warmth of your personality, your love for all of God's children, and your dedication to the principles of faith, learning, and service, it is with our highest honor that we confer upon you our degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

Mr. Robert Hackett

Robert Hackett, in recognition of your steadfast commitment to the ideals of the Bonner Foundation and all of the students you continue to encourage and inspire, Waynesburg University honors you.

As evidenced by your admirable involvement with policies and programs for young people around the globe, you care deeply about the future of this nation. Your passion for enacting positive change in communities across the country has inspired thousands of servant leaders.
For more than two decades, you have created and encouraged service initiatives that not only build character and faith in contemporary student leaders, but also impart true relief to those in need.

Through your leadership of the Bonner Foundation, a generation of young leaders has become vital players in society by nurturing thoughtful, caring, and strategic public service while promoting the University's founding mission of faith, learning, and serving.

For your breathtaking vision of a nation united by service and for your enduring commitment to colleges and universities across the country, we are pleased to recognize you.

For the ways in which you have illuminated young minds to the rewards of selfless service, it is with great honor that we confer upon you our degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves

Andrew Purves, in recognition of your unwavering commitment to the Christian faith and to all those you so diligently serve and teach, Waynesburg University honors you.

Your steadfast dedication to the Christ-centered renewal of the Church has set you apart as an inspirational leader and dedicated role model, and your distinct contributions have influenced countless individuals throughout the world while simultaneously advancing Christ's kingdom.

You are a man of God, and your walk in faith inspires others to understand Christ's love. Your concise theological insights engage and enlighten a new generation of leaders.

Your resolute vow to the ministry is apparent through your selflessness and the energy and enthusiasm exuded through your daily choices. Your personal commitment to education, mentorship, and scholarship reflects your profound example of expounding God's "word with boldness" so that all nations might "cleave" to His truth.

For the impact you make through your work as a passionate educator, we commend you. For your personal credo as it relates to igniting theological and spiritual renewal, we are pleased to recognize you.

For the ways in which you parallel Waynesburg University's mission of faith, learning and serving, it is with great honor that we confer upon you our degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.

Pictured in the second photo, left to right, are Waynesburg University President Timothy R. Thyreen, Mr. Robert Hackett, Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves, Mrs. Carolyn Thyreen and Rev. Dr. R. Bruce Bickel, who delivered the Commencement address.

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Waynesburg University held its annual commencement exercises Sunday, May 19, honoring approximately 650 undergraduate and graduate students.

The Rev. Dr. R. Bruce Bickel, senior vice president and managing director of Private Foundation Management Services at PNC Bank, delivered the commencement address, “Not Success but Excellence.” He challenged graduates to do four things: honor themselves, be respectful, be humble and be grateful.

“Don't chase success, pursue excellence,” Bickel said. “You have the freedom not to be who you want to be, but the responsibility to be who you need to be.”

Jordan Harvey, a senior mathematics (secondary education) major from Butler, Pa., was named the valedictorian and delivered the valedictory to the University. Patricia Gorra Bondurant, a graduate of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, represented the graduate program students.

Prior to commencement exercises, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Purves, professor of reformed theology at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, delivered the baccalaureate address, "How Big Is Your God?” to graduates and their parents, during which he explored sheer enormity of God's grace, love, compassion and forgiveness.

“How big is your understanding of God? Sometimes our sense of God is small – but know, His grace is big enough for you,” Purves said.

Waynesburg University awarded the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, the Master of Arts degree, the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, the Master of Business Administration degree, the Master of Education degree, the Master of Science in Nursing degree, the Bachelor of Arts degree, the Bachelor of Management and Leadership degree, the Bachelor of Science degree, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, the Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology degree, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, the Associate of Science in Allied Health degree and the Associate of Science in Business Administration degree.

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The Waynesburg University men's and women's track & field teams put together two historic days at the 2013 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championships, which were held Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, at Washington & Jefferson's Cameron Stadium. The Yellow Jacket women won the first PAC team title in program history, while the men posted their highest finish in the team's existence by claiming second place.

The Jacket women featured six individual champions, including senior Carly Schubert, who not only won the shot put, but was also named 2013 PAC Field MVP after adding a silver medal in the discus. Sophomore Amanda Hobe (triple jump), senior Rhea Huwe (100 meters and long jump), senior Megan Fortna (3,000-meter steeplechase) and junior Megan Sowers (javelin) also won individual titles. Veteran head coach Jason Falvo also got in on the individual honors by earning his second career PAC Women's Coach of the Year award.

The Waynesburg men were led by sophomore Byrum Louco, who earned All-PAC laurels in four different events, including victories in the 400-meter hurdles and the 4x400-meter relay. For his efforts, Louco was named PAC Men's Track MVP and PAC Men's Track & Field MVP. Senior Tony Lamosek placed Waynesburg in the field events by winning the discus.

Both Waynesburg track teams continue their postseason at the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships, which run from May 15-18 at Springfield (Mass.) College.