St. Norbert College commencement speaker, honorary degree recipients, candidates for degrees

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From St. Norbert College, May 5, 2004
by Mike Counter, mike.counter@snc.edu, (920) 403-3089

DE PERE: Joanne Greenberg, author of "I never Promised You a Rose Garden," will deliver the commencement address at St. Norbert College, Sunday, May 16. The College will present three honorary doctorate degrees and the President's medal. Commencement will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the St. Norbert College Schuldes Sports Center. There are 495 students in this year's graduating class, including 464 candidates for baccalaureate degrees and 31 candidates for master's degrees.
Patrick J. Kelly, chair of the Board of Trustees, will authorize the conferring of the baccalaureate and master's degrees; St. Norbert College President William J. Hynes will award the degrees and diplomas with the assistance of Michael Marsden, dean of the College and academic vice president. Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem., will deliver the commencement prayer and the benediction. Author Joanne Greenberg, the speaker, will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Ms. Greenberg's writing and teaching reflect a special interest in Native American issues as well as a concern for the deaf, disabled, and mentally ill. She is perhaps best known for her book, I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, which has been in print since 1964. Ms. Greenberg has been named Colorado Author of the Year. Gallaudet College, Western Maryland College, and the University of Colorado have each awarded her honorary degrees. Ms. Greenberg's other honors include the Denver Women's Institute Award, the Kenner Award, the Fromm Reichmann Award, the Christopher Award and the Harry and Ethel Daroff Memorial Award for Fiction. As an adjunct member of the faculty of the Colorado School of Mines, teaching anthropology, writing and ethics in literature, Ms. Greenberg was named the Faculty Senate's Distinguished Lecturer in 1996 and received the Mines Medal for exemplary service in 1999. Donald L. Salmon, St. Norbert College Advancement Office-former Vice President of Institutional Advancement, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his many professional accomplishments and exemplary record of leadership and service to the College and the Green Bay area community. A magna cum laude graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University, Salmon received his master's degree in political science from the University of Denver. Since he arrived in Green Bay, Salmon has been a member of the Rotary Club of Green Bay and served on the board of directors of the United Way of Brown County. He also served as an advisor to the Commissioned Ministry Program of the Diocese of Green Bay and as a board member for the Green Bay Symphony.
William E. Dargan, professor emeritus of Business Administration at St. Norbert College, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his professional and personal accomplishments in service to both the College and the community. Dargan earned bachelor degrees in English and philosophy from Regis College in Denver. He received a master's degree in marketing and a master's degree in economics from the University of Denver. He began his teaching career at St. Norbert in 1967 and retired after 31 years of service. Dargan was instrumental in implementing the business administration program for the College, developing a rigorous curriculum in marketing education that served students majoring in business. In 1996, a group of students honored Dargan with the establishment of the William E. Dargan Fellowship that provides a scholarship in Dargan's name to students who exemplify the characteristics and commitment modeled in the Rhodes Scholar program, such as strong academic performance and leadership capabilities. The President's Medal will be awarded to Donald R. Maslinski, director of Athletics at St. Norbert College and 1963 alumnus, in recognition of his significant contributions to the College and the community. Following his graduation from St. Norbert College, Maslinski served his country in Army Intelligence. Upon his discharge, Maslinski began his teaching career at Ashwaubenon High School where he served from 1965 to 1998. During his tenure at Ashwaubenon High School he was a teacher, coach, athletic director and principal. In 1998, Maslinski was appointed the director of Athletics at St. Norbert College. Academic Dean, Michael Marsden, recently said of Maslinski, "In more than three decades in higher education, I've never worked with a finer athletic director, and that includes having worked at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels."
The student speaker is Oluyemisi Adeyemi, Osogbo, Nigeria, who is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. During her time at St. Norbert, she was committed to community service. Adeyemi implemented global AIDS education on campus. In January 2003, she led a service trip to New York where the focus was on HIV/AIDS awareness. In November 2003, she coordinated the performance on campus of a South African theatre group to commemorate World AIDS Day. She also worked as a cultural diversity mentor, helping incoming students of color with their transition into college. Adeyemi worked as a teaching assistant in the chemistry department and was further recognized by being selected for the undergraduate research program at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she participated during the summer of 2003. This fall, Adeyemi will attend the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison where she plans to get her training in surgery and work in researching a cure for HIV/AIDS. The "National Anthem" will be sung by graduating senior Katie Zey, Green Bay. At the close of the ceremony, the entire audience will join in singing the St. Norbert College Alma Mater with graduating senior Candace Bishop, Germantown, Tenn. serving as honor conductor.