About 370 graduates were awarded master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees during the University of Mobile’s (UM) 41st commencement exercises at the Mobile Civic Center May 12.
Joe Bullard Jr., president of Bullard Automotive Group Inc., delivered the commencement address.
After first exhorting graduates to have a "personal and growing relationship with God," Bullard offered lessons to UM’s class of 2007.
"[T]rue strength, true power … and true influence come from humility and vulnerability," he said.
Bullard urged graduates to take risks. "If you’re going to be change agents, if you’re going to make a difference in the world, it’s going to require you to take risks."
A special moment in the ceremony occurred when Charles Clark, professor emeritus of art, led the processional carrying UM’s ceremonial mace, which he created and designed. Unveiled in 1999 during the inauguration of current UM President Mark Foley, each facet of the mace symbolizes a different aspect of UM’s purpose and existence.
During graduation, top honors were awarded to outstanding graduates. The university’s highest honor, the H. Austill Pharr Award, was presented to Stephanie Lauren Hedden. She was selected by the university faculty as the senior who best exemplifies the attainment of educational values consonant with the purpose and objectives of UM. Hedden, who graduated summa cum laude, received a bachelor of science in nursing.
Blair Jean Adams, summa cum laude, received the Annie Boyd Parker Weaver Auxiliary Award, presented to the female senior who best exemplifies the outstanding qualities of Christian character, leadership and service. Adams, who graduated with a bachelor of science in elementary education, also received the University of Mobile Alumni Award, presented to students with the highest grade point average in the bachelor’s and associate degree programs.
David Sheldon Williams, summa cum laude, received the University of Mobile Regents Award, presented to the male senior who best exemplifies outstanding Christian character, leadership and service. Williams, who graduated with a bachelor of arts in social science, also received an Alumni Award.
Rebecca M. Nipper, magna cum laude, received the President’s Leadership Award, presented to the nontraditional-age student who best exemplifies both Christian leadership and academic excellence and who has served as a source of inspiration and guidance for other nontraditional-age students.
Nipper, who graduated with a bachelor of science in elementary and early childhood education, also received an Alumni Award.
The J.L. Bedsole Awards were presented to Marcia Ann Sullivan, associate degree in nursing; Qureshia Chrishada Young, bachelor of science in early childhood education; and Jeffery Michael Jacobs, magna cum laude, bachelor of science in business administration. The awards are presented to a female, a male and a nursing senior who have demonstrated the most significant progress while at UM.
The William K. Weaver Honorary Fellows Graduate Award, presented to an outstanding graduate student in the school of business, was awarded to Lesa Garner Moore, master of business administration.
The William K. Weaver Honorary Fellows Undergraduate Award, presented to an outstanding undergraduate student in the school of business, was awarded to Melissa Suzanne Sullivan, summa cum laude, bachelor of science in business administration. Sullivan also received an Alumni Award.
Others who received the Alumni Award for having a perfect 4.0 grade point average were Michael James Davis, magna cum laude, bachelor of science in organizational administration and leadership; William Francis St. Pierre, summa cum laude, bachelor of science in sports management; and Gwendolyn Michelle Trippi, summa cum laude, bachelor of arts in music and business administration. (UM)
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