Students earn degrees amid Winter Commencement pomp and circumstance

The threat of inclement weather didn't keep a large crowd from witnessing Emporia State University's newest crop of graduates from receiving their degrees Saturday, Dec. 15.

ESU conferred undergraduate degrees on approximately 265 students during the ceremony. Another 168 students were candidates for graduate degrees. Click the links below for lists of undergraduate and graduate degree candidates:

This year’s Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor at ESU, Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Yanik, delivered the commencement address. Yanik, a passionate teacher who directs and sustains a half dozen math and science mentoring programs for young women, joined the ESU mathematics faculty in 1990.

The Presidential Award for Distinguished Service to Diversity was presented to Dr. Tes Mehring, dean of The Teachers College. The award recognizes an individual for leadership in furthering diversity and mutual respect.

"I'm getting the credit for the work of my faculty," said Mehring. "I can suggest and point a direction, but it’s a team effort."

Selection criteria include breadth and depth of involvement in such areas as recruitment, retention, curriculum, and extra-curricular activities.

Last Updated February 4, 2008>