Crowd overflows Robsion Memorial Arena
at Union College's 125th Commencement

Noted humanitarian Wayne W. Meisel delivered the Commencement Address in addition to being a recipient of one of three honorary Doctorates of Law degrees awarded. The other recipients were Jerry W. Carey and Thomas C. Clark.

One of the largest crowds ever gathered for the 125th Spring Commencement held at Union College's Robsion Memorial Arena on Saturday, May 1, 2004. From as local as Union's hometown of Barbourville, to as far away as Campinas, Brazil, students assembled to hear their Commencement speaker, witness the conferring of three honorary doctorate degrees and to shake President Edward de Rosset's hand as they cross the platform. Making this walk across the platform, the final leg of their journey, reaching educational goals.

For all the "Pomp and Circumstance" this occasion normally calls for, this particular circumstance, Union's 125th Commencement, required a bit more "pomp". Graduates, faculty and staff, along with family and friends, were witness to an unprecedented event in Union's long history. The father and son duo of noted theologian, the Reverend Dr. Donald M. Meisel and his son, noted humanitarian the Reverend Dr. Wayne W. Meisel delivered the Baccalaureate and the Commencement address, respectively. This, along with the conferring of three honorary Doctor of Law degrees, created a truly memorable event. Commencement speaker Wayne W. Meisel, Jerry W. Carey and Thomas C. Clark were awarded honorary doctorate degrees alongside Union graduates, the class of 2004.

Meisel, a visionary and messenger, called upon Union graduates to "create a Union of all Unions" stating "Unlike so many other institutions that are founded on an idea that no longer exists, Union's commitment to community remains strong, inspiring and instructive." His emphasis being on creating union, between fellow classmates, community and family, Meisel poignantly noted, "You need not remember my name, you will remember the theme, for the message of this commencement (speech) is the same as the name of your college. All you need to remember is Union."

Meisel is best known for providing the concept, the inspiration, and the philanthropic connection leading to the formation of the Bonner Foundation of Princeton, New Jersey. Meisel, the Founding President, continues to lead this organization, which exists to provide "access to education and the opportunity to serve." The foundation supports 25 colleges and universities through the Bonner Scholars Program. Union became a participating member in 1998 when then development officer, Lisa Jordan-Payne, appealed to Meisel and the Bonner Foundation to allow Union the opportunity to participate in this highly selective organization. Meisel, stated, "Mrs. Bonner, was so inspired by (Lisa's) love (for Union and her community) the she determined that Union College should be accepted into the Bonner Program, even though the decision had been made not to allow any more schools in."

Commencement Speaker and honorary doctorate recipient Wayne Meisel (far left) is shown with Union College President Edward de Rosset (center) and Meisel's father, Baccalaureate Speaker, the Reverend Dr. Donald M. Meisel. This father and son appearance was a first for Union College and for the Meisel family.

Meisel's educational background includes the Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University in 1982, the Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1998, and he is an ordained minister of the United Presbyterian Church.

In addition to Meisel, local businessman, Union College Board of Trustees member, and Board Chairman Emeritus, Jerry W. Carey also received an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Union College. Carey's association with Union College began in the 1950s as a student-athlete. He has remained closely involved with many Union College programs, including the complete rehabilitation of the college's Harland D. Sanders baseball field. In a special ceremony on April 3, 2004, the Jerry W. Carey Baseball Stadium was dedicated in recognition of his years of service to the college.

Carey graduated from Barbourville City High School, received his Bachelor of Science degree from Union College in 1965, and graduated from the Kentucky School of Banking and from the Louisiana State University School of Banking of the South.

Thomas C. Clark represents another exceptional career path that trails back to roots in Barbourville, Kentucky. Clark attended Barbourville Elementary School and Knox Central High School, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Economics from Duke University in 1969 and completed a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard University in 1971. Clark is also a member of Union's Board of Trustees and Chairman Emeritus. Currently, Clark is employed by the United States Trust Company, where he has held several positions. He now serves the company as Division President.

Left to right: Jennifer Church (Warren, OH), Kristi Blankenship (Barbourville, KY), Aggeliki Alimonos (Broomfield, CO) and Valedictorian Terra Keith (Eubank, KY) show off their diploma cases.

With the legacy of providing quality educational opportunities to local, regional, national and international students for 125 years, Union celebrated this historical occasion with an unprecedented program witnessed by a record-sized crowd of family and friends. This, along with conferring degrees to more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students, with just over 200 of those participating in Commencement Exercises, made Union's 125th Spring Commencement another historically significant event.

The following is a list of regional graduates from Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Leslie, McCreary, Mt. Vernon, Perry, Pineville, Pulaski and Whitley Counties.

May 12, 2004

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