Newman University will hold the Fall 2013 Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement ceremony on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14, respectively. The Newman School of Nursing and Allied Health will also honor candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at the annual Nurses’ Pinning ceremony Dec. 13.
Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony
The annual Nurses’ Pinning ceremony will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 in Performance Hall, inside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center on the Newman campus. During the event, a tradition in the nursing discipline, the director of the School of Nursing and Allied Health will place nursing pins on graduate candidates’ lapels as a symbol of their completion of the BSN program. The ceremony will also feature the naming of the Distinguished BSN Graduate Award.
Baccalaureate Mass and Reception
The Fall 2013 Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in historic St. John’s Chapel on the Newman campus. St. John’s Chapel is located inside Sacred Heart Hall, the university’s main administration building. Mass will be followed by a reception at approximately 8 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center, inside the Dugan Library and Campus Center on the Newman campus.
Commencement
Fall 2013 Commencement will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Central Community Church, 6100 W. Maple. The ceremony will include the awarding of degrees to 45 candidates for associate’s degrees, 98 candidates for bachelor’s degrees, and 50 candidates for master’s degrees.
The ceremony will include an address by Newman University Associate Professor of Nursing Joan Melzer. Melzer received the 2013 Newman University Teaching Excellence Award, an annual recognition to a full-time faculty member who has demonstrated an innovative or dynamic approach to courses, course revisions, and teaching techniques. The award recipient also has the honor of speaking at the fall and spring commencement ceremonies.
Honorary Degree – The late Douglas L. Stanley
During Commencement, Newman officials will also bestow a posthumous Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa degree on the late Douglas L. Stanley, former chair of the Newman University Board of Trustees, who died in April. Honorary degrees are awarded at each fall and spring commencement to notable and accomplished members of the extended Newman community whose life and work reflect exemplary dedication to one of the university’s four Core Values: Catholic Identity, Culture of Service, Academic Excellence, and Global Perspective. Stanley is being honored for all four Core Values.
Stanley received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Washburn University in 1981, and earned a law degree from the University of Kansas in 1984. That same year he began his career at Foulston Siefkin Law Firm in Wichita, where he rose to become Managing Partner in 2006. Stanley’s practice focused on employment and labor law. He was considered a brilliant attorney by his peers, and received many professional honors. Stanley continued working at Foulston Siefkin until his death on April 2, 2013, following a battle with cancer. He was 57.
Stanley served as a member of the Newman Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2013, and as Board Chair from 2011 to 2013. During that time, he provided outstanding leadership and support to the Board and the university as a whole. Stanley led the Board through its decision to plan and begin “Facing Forward: A Campaign for Newman University,” which will lead to new science and health science facilities. His commitment to the university is evidenced by the fact that he continued working for the Board until just before his passing, even conducting university business from his hospital bed.
Stanley had a strong commitment to serving his community. In addition to the Newman Board, he chaired the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition Steering Council. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of Exploration Place and the Board of Directors for the Wichita Business Coalition on Health Care. Stanley was a member of the Rotary Club of West Wichita, and the Wichita, the Kansas, and the American Bar Associations. He was also active in the St. Peter’s Catholic Church Building Committee and Church Council, Wichita Legatus Group, and other organizations. Stanley earned high praise from the many attorneys and community leaders he worked with for his professional knowledge and ability, as well as his work ethic, fairness, trustworthiness, and willingness to help others.
Stanely was devoted to his wife of 34 years, Sheryl, and his children, Newman alumni Amanda (Stanley) Marshall ’08, Christopher Stanley ’11 and Rachel Stanley ’13, and Newman students Diana Stanley and Katie (Stanley) Potter. As a father, Stanley was very involved in his children’s activities, and with his support all five fulfilled the rank of Eagle Scout or the comparable Girl Scout Gold Award.
This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
Dec. 10, 2013
A previously published article did not include detailed information.
