Hillsdale, Mich. — Hillsdale College celebrated its 168th Commencement on July 18 at Frank “Muddy” Waters Stadium, thus continuing its unbroken tradition of holding Commencement annually. The ceremony, which is normally held on the campus East Lawn or in the Margot V. Biermann Athletic Center, was moved to the stadium to allow for social distancing between graduates and guests due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
To host Commencement safely and lawfully, Hillsdale College consulted with legal and epidemiological experts, local law enforcement and health officials, and state government officials.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College congratulates Benedict Whalen on being named Professor of the Year by Hillsdale’s 2020 graduating class.
Whalen is an associate professor of English, teaching classes in the Great Books in the British and American Tradition, Renaissance British Literature, and Shakespeare, among others. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Dallas, and his master’s and doctoral degrees in English from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Whalen has taught at Hillsdale College since 2014.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — As a part of its 168th Commencement in-person activities, Hillsdale College recognized the top five academic graduates of the Class of 2020, as well as the Outstanding Senior Man and Woman, at a special dinner and program on Saturday, July 18. The Outstanding Senior Man and Woman are nominated by the senior class and voted on by the faculty.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — At its 168th annual Commencement ceremony held in person on July 18, Hillsdale College awarded an honorary doctor of public service degree to Duke Anderson, recently retired president and chief executive officer of Hillsdale Hospital.
Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University in 1980, followed by certification as a graduate respiratory therapist at University of Chicago hospitals and clinics. In 1986, Anderson became the Director of Health Promotion Services for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency.
“This unique event is deserving of unique legal treatment,” said Robert Norton, Vice President and General Counsel for Hillsdale College. “It is consistent with the governor’s executive orders providing that you can have these outdoor First Amendment expressive events subject to CDC guidelines. The governor took part in one herself (which did not comply with CDC guidelines), and afterwards, her spokesperson said that was an appropriate thing for the governor to do because it had been an expressive First Amendment event. We agree.”
“Hillsdale College has vigorously planned for many months how to hold its annual Commencement and has taken all practical precautions to ensure a safe event,” said Rich Péwé, Chief Administrative Officer at Hillsdale College. “We are especially grateful to the health experts who have consulted with us throughout our preparations.”
“Joshua is an outstanding student with a dedication to America’s first principles,” said Ronald J. Pestritto, Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship at Hillsdale College. “His commitment to scholarship and his enthusiasm for the subject matter will serve him well in his future endeavors.”
Hillsdale College’s Commencement is an “expressive activity” protected by the First Amendment. It is a ceremony rich with symbolism and meaning. Since 1856, the College has exercised those rights by holding annual commencement exercises–including during the Civil War, World War I, the 1918 Pandemic, the Great Depression, and World War II. Despite the trauma of those times, which have been particularly severe on this campus, Hillsdale College has stood by the ceremony as the culminating meaning of the work of the College and as indispensable to its mission.
Ceremonies scheduled for July 18 Download Press Release Hillsdale, Mich. — Hillsdale College will host its Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, July 18. Originally planned for May 9, the events were […]
The scholarship is currently part of a matching gift opportunity. From July 15 to 31, all money donated toward the scholarship will be doubled and invested into an endowment that will benefit students in radio journalism, with preference given to students from Michigan.
Dr. Kathleen O’Toole, assistant provost for K-12 education at Hillsdale College and a 2002 graduate of Hillsdale Academy, gave the commencement address. She exhorted the graduates to use the intellectual and moral virtue gained through their studies at Hillsdale Academy to defend civilization.