SPC Hosts 128th Commencement Ceremony
By: Rebecca M. Villarreal
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The 128th St. Philip's College commencement ceremony was held Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in Freeman Coliseum. The 114-year-old college awarded 523 degrees and certificates to 405 students following a keynote address by Dr. Charles L. Cotrell, president emeritus and professor of political science of St. Mary's University.
The event featured performances by the San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble and posting of the colors by the Sam Houston High School JROTC. St. Philip’s employees Marsha Hall and Michelle D. Burnett also performed a special musical number accompanied by Christo Pappas, a SPC college instructor.
The student invocation was given by Michael Wayde Sanders, a fall 2012 graduate receiving two associate degrees in Aircraft Mechanical Airframe and Aircraft Mechanical Powerplant. The student address was given by Mildred Ernestine Ray, a fall 2012 graduate receiving an associate degree in Hospitality Event Management.
This year’s graduation speaker, Dr. Charles L. Cotrell, most recently served as the president of St. Mary’s University. During his career at St. Mary’s University, he has served as the department chair, director of graduate programs, assistant to the president for planning and research and vice president of academic affairs for 14 years. He plans to return to teaching even after a 45-year career at St. Mary’s. Cotrell received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from St. Mary’s in 1962 and 1964, respectively. He earned his doctorate in political science from the University of Arizona in 1970.
CAPTION: One highlight of the Fall 2012 Graduation Ceremony at St. Philip's College was a photo session with (from left) student speaker Mildred Ernestine Ray, commencement speaker Dr. Charles L. Cotrell, Alamo Colleges Chancellor Dr. Bruce Leslie and student invocation speaker Michael Wayde Sanders. (SPC photo by Patrick Evans).
About St. Philip’s: Bishop James Steptoe Johnston of the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of the West Texas Diocese founded St. Philip’s College in 1898. Today, St. Philip’s College, a member of the Alamo Colleges, is a multi–campus institution and serves a semester enrollment of more than 11,000 credit and more than 8,000 continuing education students. St. Philip’s College is a Historically Black College and a Hispanic Serving Institution. As “A Point of Pride in the Community,” St. Philip’s College is among the oldest and most diverse community colleges in the United States.
Contact:
Rebecca M. Villarreal, SPC-Public Relations
(210) 486-2851 or by email rvillarreal304@alamo.edu