QU To Host 155th Commencement Ceremony
Quincy University will host its 155th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12 beginning at 3:00 p.m. in Quincy University’s Pepsi Arena. The 2018 graduating class is comprised of 223 undergraduates with an additional 24 graduate degree recipients.
The procession will be led by University marshal, Robert Mejer, distinguished professor of art, and assistant marshals, Dr. David Kirchhofer and Dr. Scott Luaders, professors of physics and chemistry, respectively. Dr. Teresa Reed, vice president for academic affairs, will convene the ceremony and Director of Campus Ministry Raymond Heilmann will deliver the invocation. Senior choir members Hale Brown, Sage Meleney, Ann Schuhriemen, Jacob Schumacher and Jennifer Williams will perform the National Anthem and the Quincy University Alma Mater. Due to space constraints, tickets are required for entry into Pepsi Arena for all attendees, even children. A closed-circuit broadcast will be shown in the adjacent three-court area of the Health and Fitness Center for those without tickets. DVD copies of the broadcast are available for purchase at $20 each and Blu-ray copies for $25 each, and will be available to pre-order at the ceremony.
Graduates elected senior representative Darek Lambert to deliver the program’s welcome address and reflection. Lambert is a communication major with a minor in business. He is the son of Kevin and Angela Lambert of Terre Haute, Ind. Lambert has been heavily involved on campus during his time at QU.
He works as a resident director in an upperclassmen residence hall, worked in the admissions office, is heavily involved in his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, and recently served as the chairman of the Senior Class Gift Committee this spring. After graduation, Lambert will be working as a marketing communications coordinator at Titan International in Quincy.
Former St. Louis Mayor, Francis G. Slay J.D. ’77, will deliver this year’s commencement address. Slay served the people of St. Louis as their 45th mayor, from 2001 to 2017. Having been elected to four consecutive four-year terms, he is the longest serving mayor in St. Louis history. Slay is currently practicing law at the law firm Spencer Fane LLP, concentrating on business transactions, real estate and public policy. He and his wife, Kim, have been happily married for 38 years, and have two grown children, Francis, Jr. and Kate.
Honorable Ray H. LaHood will be awarded the degree Honorary Doctor of Public Service during the ceremony. LaHood spent thirty-six years in public service with extensive experience on major national policy issues, among them transportation and infrastructure. During his fourteen years as the United States Congressman from the 18th District of Illinois, he was known as a bi-partisan advocate. He also served as Secretary of Transportation from 2009 until 2013. He and his wife, Kathy, have four children and fifteen grandchildren.
Additional Commencement Weekend festivities include:
- 5/11 – Senior Brunch – 11:00 a.m. – Main Dining Room
- 5/11 – Baccalaureate Liturgy – 5:00 p.m. – Quincy University Chapel