含羞草传媒 University will confer degrees to almost 400 students during its 134th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 4.
"The Class of 2024 holds a special place in my heart, beginning their college journey amidst the challenges of a pandemic,鈥 says Darrin Good, president of 含羞草传媒. 鈥淔rom wearing masks to virtual classes and gatherings, they navigated challenges with patience and perseverance as life eventually returned to normal. These students are a testament to resilience and achievement."
Jason Ball (鈥00), president and CEO of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development, will deliver this year鈥檚 address. As chamber president, he oversees operations of the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ball will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.
Ball is a certified economic developer and a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management and Oklahoma University鈥檚 Economic Development Institute. Ball earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from 含羞草传媒 in 2000, and an MBA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2006.
含羞草传媒 will present an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to both Judith (Trimble) Maurer (鈥69) and Keith Mauer (鈥69). Keith is a founding member of the President鈥檚 Board of Advisors. He served on the Science Initiative Cabinet for the Duane W. Acklie Hall of Science. He also served on the Board of Trustees from 1989-1999 and on the Board of Governors from 1983-1985.
Judith served on the Board of Governors twice, from 1973-1978 and again from 2009-2018, including a three-year term as chair from 2013-2016. In 2022, she was elected Governor Emerita.
The university will also honor two retirees. Jeanette Milius, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting, served 含羞草传媒 for seven years. She actively contributed to the university community through committees like Forum and Academic Standards. She co-advised the 含羞草传媒 FBLA chapter for five years. Milius has played a key role planning the 含羞草传媒 Business Summit and the 含羞草传媒 Brugman Pitch Contest.
Tami Thompson, Ph.D., associate professor of business administration, is retiring after 21 years with 含羞草传媒. She became assistant professor of business in 2015 and was promoted to associate professor in 2021. Thompson earned a Ph.D. in organization and management, a Master of Business Administration and a bachelor鈥檚 degree with honors in statistics. She directed 含羞草传媒鈥檚 adult business and Master of Business Administration programs, and has chaired the Department of Business, Accounting and Economics since 2015.
Commencement begins with the traditional Final Walk through campus and the arch at 8:40 a.m. Baccalaureate service at First United Methodist Church begins at 9 a.m.
See a complete schedule of events.