View photos from the 2012 Commencement on Flickr!
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College celebrated academic achievement of its graduates at the 171st commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Janet Clark, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs presented 223 students with associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees. This year’s graduating class included students from 28 states and from three countries – Jordan, Nigeria and Vietnam.
![SMWC President Dottie King, Ph.D, with Myra Daniels](/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/KingDaniels.jpg)
SMWC President Dottie King, Ph.D.,
with Myra Daniels
Advertising executive, entrepreneur and a philanthropist, Myra Janco Daniels, one of the most accomplished women in advertising, received an honorary doctorate of humane letters and delivered a powerful commencement address on success.
“To be successful is to be part of a team,” explained Daniels. “Successful people give to others and they give to their communities. And when you give, you also receive. That’s one of the oldest lessons of human nature, and one that you were taught here. But it’s a lesson we often forget.”
She encouraged the graduates to discover what they are passionate about, “to always take inventory, recognize opportunity, and take intelligent risks.”
![King with Rachel Ambrose](/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/KingAmbrose.jpg)
King with Rachel Ambrose
Each year the College presents the Distinguished Alumnae Award to graduates who epitomized The Woods tradition of excellence by their professional achievement, personal accomplishments. This year’s recipient was Rachel Eberle Ambrose’64 retired Associated Press journalist. She was recognized for her leadership in maintaining a level of career excellence over her lifetime and for her commitment to her alma mater. Ambrose also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters.
After the ceremony was a time for celebration and reflection.
“I am so excited to be here,” said Kerry Muñoz, Woods Online education major from Lakeland Fla. “I have two children and I want to show them that you can work hard to achieve your goals.”
Muñoz indeed worked hard. She graduated summa cum laude and was the recipient of the Maud Helm Rockwell medal for academic excellence.
Commencement Award Winners
Maud Helm Rockwell Medals for Academic Excellence
Kerry Muñoz – Collierville, Tennessee
Elizabeth Wright – Georgetown, Indiana
Kappa Gamma Pi
St. Catherine Medals
Scott Shelhart Wheatfield, Indiana
Elizabeth Wright – Georgetown, Indiana
Alumni Leadership and Service Medals
Patricia Jones – Oblong, Illinois
Jeffrey Shick – Lawrenceville, Illinois
Elizabeth Wright – Georgetown, Indiana
Alumnae Faculty Leadership Award
Sandra Chappell, associate professor of education
Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching
Patricia Jancosek, associate professor of art
Kerry Muñoz ’12
Faculty Excellence Award for Scholarship
Jennie Mitchell, Ph.D., professor of business
Faculty Excellence Award for Service
Michael Boswell, assistant professor of music and director of choirs