Dole to speak at GC
GROVE CITY — The largest class in Grove City College history on Saturday will hear words of encouragement from Elizabeth Dole, former North Carolina senator and wife of 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole, at commencement.
Her speech, "Lesson for Life," seeks to inspire graduates as they face a new and challenging phase of their lives.
Senior Pastor Jay Passavant of North Way Christian Community Church in Wexford will present the baccalaureate address at a separate ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday. Passavant leads a congregation of nearly 4,000 members in three locations.
Among the 617 graduates, all of the college majors are represented at the 10 a.m. outdoor ceremony between Harbison Chapel and Crawford Hall on campus. The Class of 2009 had 564 graduates.
Recognized for academic distinction are 65 students graduating summa cum laude, 98 graduating magna cum laude and 109 graduating cum laude.
The largest major among graduating students is elementary education at 7.6 percent of the class. Molecular biology is the next largest at 7.1 percent, according to a news release.
Commencement will begin with a prelude by college organist Richard Konzen, followed by the processual, "Pomp and Circumstance."
The Rev. F. Stanley Keehlwetter, college chapel dean, will give the invocation, followed by an introduction by college President Richard Jewell.
"Continue Your Calling" will be presented by fellow graduate Andrew Preston McIndoe, who is a political science major and executive president of the Student Government Organization.
Jewell will confer the baccalaureate degrees. Dole and Passavant will be given honorary degrees.
In the case of rain, Saturday's commencement and Friday's baccalaureate ceremony will be moved to the arena in the Physical Learning Center.
