News Article

Chancellor Whitlock Addresses Graduates at Spring Commencement

JONESBORO – Dr. Doug Whitlock, who has served as Arkansas State University’s interim chancellor since September 2016, encouraged more than 2,200 graduates to use their education to build leadership skills during Saturday’s morning and afternoon commencement ceremonies at the Convocation Center.

“Commencement is a time of excitement at any university for candidates, family and friends, and I congratulate all candidates assembled here, “ said Whitlock, the featured speaker. “It is a milestone event in your lives. You should be commended and congratulated.”

Following Whitlock’s welcoming remarks, Dr. Evelyn Taylor, recipient of the faculty award for excellence in teaching, spoke on behalf of the faculty in the morning ceremony, while Dr. LaQuita Saunders, assistant professor of history and co-director of the Pre-Law Center, spoke in the afternoon. She is the honoree for the faculty award for excellence in academic advising.

Michaela Supple of Albuquerque, N.M., an exercise science major receiving a bachelor of science degree, addressed the morning audience.  Wilson Award winner Jared Gowen of Garner, who earned a degree in biological sciences, spoke at the 2:30 p.m. service. Both spoke on behalf of the graduating class.

Chancellor Whitlock conferred diplomas upon students from the College of Education and Behavioral Science and the College of Nursing and Health Professions in the morning ceremony, and again at the afternoon event to students from the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering and Technology; Business; Liberal Arts and Communication; Sciences and Mathematics; and Undergraduate Studies.

Whitlock went on to ask the new graduates to consider leadership as an objective in their future endeavors.

“For a long time in America, we have given the impression that the objective of a college education is to make more money,” he continued. “The thinking is a college education will give us a marketable skill set that will enable us to earn. In my mind, the objective of a college education is to build leaders with the ability to think critically, creatively and use what students have learned. If leaders happen to make more money, that’s a bonus.

“If we’ve done our job of educating you well at Arkansas State University, and I think we have, then we have prepared you for leadership in whatever field you choose to pursue.”

There are 28 students that graduated summa cum laude and 108 magna cum laude. There are 141 candidates that graduated cum laude. Thirty students graduated in University Honors, 68 in Honors, and 46 received Honors certificates.

Chancellor Whitlock conferred diplomas upon students from the College of Education and Behavioral Science and the College of Nursing and Health Professions in the morning ceremony, and again at the afternoon event to students from the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering and Technology; Business; Liberal Arts and Communication; Sciences and Mathematics; and Undergraduate Studies.