Shenandoah University Graduates 455 at May 9 Commencement
UPDATED: Shenandoah University Class of 2010 includes 455 graduates
Shenandoah University graduated approximately 455 candidates for degrees in the Class of 2010 during a ceremony in the Smith Library Plaza on Sunday, May 9, at 2 p.m. Dr. John P. Howe III, president and CEO of Project HOPE, based in Millwood, Va., delivered the commencement address.
Dr. Howe was awarded the President’s Medal by Shenandoah University in December 2003, and he was the featured speaker at the 2009 International Day Convocation. Before coming to Project HOPE, Howe was the distinguished chair in health policy at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and served as the center’s chief executive for 15 years. He is board certified in both internal medicine and cardiovascular disease.
Howe has a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and earned his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. He served two years in the Army Medical Corps and later completed the Health Systems Management Program at Harvard Business School.
During the commencement ceremony, Shenandoah University President Tracy Fitzsimmons presented the President’s Medal to Shenandoah Alumnus Stefan Youngblood. This award is presented at the discretion of the president to recognize exemplary public service.
Youngblood, a 1985 Shenandoah graduate, serves as the director of contemporary worship at Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, N.C., and has a music and ministry career spanning 25 years.
President's Medal Recipient, Stefan Youngblood
His anthem of hope, "We Will Rise," written in 1989 by candlelight during the middle of Hurricane Hugo, became an inspiration and source of hope in the aftermath of Katrina and has now been performed around the world during times of crisis. The song was translated into Burmese, following Cyclone Nargis, where Youngblood and a team of volunteers were allowed to record the song in the capital city of Yangon. It has recently been adopted by the United Methodist Committee on Relief for rebuilding efforts in Haiti. Youngblood also served as the featured speaker at Shenandoah’s Baccalaureate service on Sunday, May 9 at 9:30 a.m. in Armstrong Concert Hall.
President's Medal recipient, JenniferMcKay
Renowned Violinist Midori received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Shenandoah University during “An Evening with Violinist Midori and Pianist Charles Abramovic” on Friday, May 7. The performance begins at 8 p.m. in Armstrong Concert Hall.
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