Presbyterian College Commencement is May 10

Presbyterian College Commencement is May 10

Pharmacy School Graduates Inaugural Class of PharmD candidates

Presbyterian College Professor of the Year Latha Allen Gearheart and Outstanding Senior Lucia Maria Leahy of Charlotte, N.C. will deliver the keynote addresses at the 2014 commencement exercises on Saturday, May 10.

This year’s ceremony includes the awarding of doctor of pharmacy degrees to the 76 members of the PC School of Pharmacy inaugural class. PC President Claude C. Lilly and the Board of Trustees also will confer bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees to 281 Arts and Sciences seniors.

The academic processional to the West Plaza begins at 10 a.m. when the Arts and Sciences Senior Class President Floyd Michael Nicholson of Greenwood and School of Pharmacy Class of 2014 President Amber Nicole Rish of Little Mountain together will ring the historic bell signifying the beginning of the ceremony. The processional ends beneath the giant oak trees before historic Neville Hall.  Visitors are advised to be in their seats by that 9:45 a.m.

In the event of rain, the College of Arts & Sciences ceremony will be held at Templeton Gym beginning at 10 a.m. followed by the School of Pharmacy ceremony at 2 p.m. in Belk Auditorium. See the College website, www.presby.edu for additional information.

Dr. Gearheart is an associate professor of chemistry at Presbyterian College, where he also serves as chair of the Department of Chemistry. Dr. Gearheart received his B.S. degree from Mary Washington College and his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of South Carolina.

Since joining the PC faculty in 2001, Dr. Gearheart has worked with 30 different PC undergraduate students on a variety of funded projects focusing on DNA dynamics, DNA binding to metal nanoparticles, synthesis of nanomaterials in ionic liquids, the analysis of pigments in art using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, and employing gold nanoparticles as catalysts in unwinding supercoiled DNA.

In 2008, Dr. Gearheart was appointed as the assistant director of Undergraduate Research, and he also was named the first Faculty Scholar of the Year. Since 2009, Dr. Gearheart has served as director of the PC Summer Fellows Program, which connects faculty and students across disciplines as students pursue individual research projects. Dr. Gearheart has served both campus and community, as he has served two terms on the College’s Senior Faculty Council and has been active in different roles with the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton.

The Most Outstanding Senior Award is presented by the College and is awarded to the member of the graduating class who by the student’s conduct and character, physical fitness and academic ability most nearly approximates the institution’s ideals. Leahy received the honor during Honors Day Convocation last month.

Leahy also was the recipient of the 2014 Outstanding Senior in Psychology Award and received the 2013-2014 Academic Excellence Award. She earned further recognition as recipient of the Senior Achievement Award, and the Eric A. Johnson Award. Leahy is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Omicron Delta Pi, and Psi Chi honor societies.

A variety of ceremonies take place before Commencement, including the May 8 Student-Athlete Commencement Ceremony held for PC baseball players who will be competing in baseball action in Florida May 9-11.

The May 9 events including the Teacher Induction Ceremony, the ROTC Hall of Fame/Wysor Saber Award & Commissioning Ceremony and the Baccalaureate, a multi-faith service open to all graduate and their guests. PC Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life Jeri Parris Perkins will deliver the keynote address. She is also the director of the Carnelson Center for the Exploration of Christian Practice. Dr. Perkins has accepted the senior pastor position at First Presbyterian Church of Clinton.

PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE SCHEDULE OF COMMENCEMENT

THURSDAY, MAY 8:

9 a.m. STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY  Harper Lobby. Student-Athletes who are traveling and unable to attend May 10 Commencement will receive their diplomas.

7 p.m. SCHOOL OF PHARMACY FAREWELL PARTY  Bailey Memorial Stadium.

FRIDAY, MAY 9:

11:30 a.m. CLASS OF 2014 FAREWELL LUNCHEON – Alumni Green

1 p.m. TEACHER INDUCTION CEREMONY – Mabry-Smith-Younce

2 p.m. ROTC HALL OF FAME/WYSOR SABER AWARD & COMMISSIONING CEREMONY – Edmunds Hall

3 p.m. SCHOOL OF PHARMACY DOCTORAL HOODING CEREMONY – Belk Auditorium

5 p.m. BUFFET DINNER FOR COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES, PCSP – Alumni Green

9 p.m. COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES SENIOR PARTY – Bailey Memorial Stadium

SATURDAY, MAY 10:

10 a.m. COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES – West Plaza

RECEPTION immediately following Alumni Green