Cottey 133rd Commencement

Cottey College is preparing for Commencement and other related activities. As these important events draw closer, drivers on Austin are asked to take note of the increased pedestrian and visitor traffic and to drive safely. The public is invited to attend the following Commencement weekend events.

The weekend begins Friday, May 12, with the Merry Ann DeVaney Sauls Writing Awards Contest at 10 a.m. in the Missouri Recital Hall. Named after Mrs. Sauls, a 1959 graduate of Cottey College, the contest was developed to enhance the prestige of academic writing in the disciplines at Cottey. Awards are given in six areas of academic writing, composition, creative writing, everyday writing, professional writing, and writing in a foreign language. Category winners will read selections from their papers.

The activities continue that evening with Baccalaureate at 7 p.m. in the Cottey College Chapel. The Spiritual Life Committee sponsors this special service.

On Saturday, May 13, graduates and returning students will be honored for their academic achievements at the Honors and Awards Convocation, beginning at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium of the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts.

Capping, one of the longest running traditions, will also take place Saturday at 7 p.m. on the Main Hall steps. Seniors have their mortarboards pinned atop their heads by those who have significantly impacted their lives. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Auditorium in the Center for the Arts.

Commencement will be Sunday, May 14, at 10 a.m. in the Hinkhouse Gymnasium. This year’s College Marshal, leading the student procession, will be Professor Theresa Spencer, professor of music. Honored speaker at Commencement this year will be Dr. Tara Stuart, Class of 1952.

Dr. Stuart is a world traveler and an advocate for peace. Her own journey has included living and working in many countries including South Africa, Mexico, India, Turkey, Tibet, Switzerland and Great Britain. Dr. Stuart has a diverse professional background as an educator, speaker, author, illustrator, and CEO. She served on two United Nations caucus organizations, the Values Caucus at the United Nations and the Spiritual Caucus at the United Nations. In cooperation with the School for International Training, Dr. Stuart and associates were instrumental in establishing an international education program for gifted high school students in five nations.

Dr. Stuart is described as a global citizen by her colleague Deborah Moldow, a representative to the United Nations for the World Peace Prayer Society. “Tara is the vehicle for encouraging these young women to go out and make a difference in the world. Cottey graduates are being offered the opportunity to fly like Tara.”

The Chapel is located between Reeves Hall and Robertson Hall on the south side of Austin Boulevard. Main Hall is on the northwest corner of Austin and Chestnut streets. The Gymnasium, inside Hinkhouse Center, is located one block south of Austin Boulevard. Parking is available at the Center for the Arts, which is on the corner of Austin and Tower Streets. Additional parking may be found in the lot south of Robertson Hall, accessible off of Tower Street.