| Photo by Bob Rashid |
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| The class of 2007—350 members strong—celebrates after degrees
were conferred in May. |
Showers may have forced Beloit’s Commencement indoors, but the weather did little to dampen the spirits of the class of 2007 and the large contingent of family and friends it drew to campus in May. In the Flood Arena, the massive crowd of well-wishers simply huddled closer, encircling the 350 students who received their degrees at the College’s 157th ceremony. The class is the largest to graduate from Beloit since 1974.
Beyond their numbers, members of the plucky class of 2007 can claim a number of distinctions, both individually and collectively, including their involvement in pushing for a more racially diverse Beloit. In addition to advancing the dialogue on this important topic, the class gave the largest class gift in a decade—more than $30,000—to establish an endowed scholarship fund for under-represented or first-generation students.
Among the notable individual achievements of the class are two graduates who leave Beloit to pursue Fulbright-funded projects. Russian major Edie Furniss (Missoula, Mont.) will study Russian language pedagogy at Herzen University in
St. Petersburg, Russia. Maddalena Ranieri (Evanston, Ill.), a creative writing and German language double major, will teach English through the Fulbright Program in Germany.
The first six students with majors in Beloit’s new environmental studies program were among the graduates this year, as were two of the first four Beloiters ever to receive international Venture Grants, a program established at Beloit to support students’ international study and research. This summer, Venture Grants will accelerate the international futures of Castagna Ventura (Taipei, Taiwan) and Taylor Luck (Oak Park, Ill.). Ventura will participate in a cultural studies conference in England, while Luck interns with the United Nations Development Program in the Middle East.
At least one married couple was among Beloit’s 2007 graduates. Stephen Anstine, a geology major, and Cara Allen, a health and society major, both of Rockford, Ill., crossed the stage not only as husband and wife, but also as the parents of a 1-year-old son. Even with such a full life, Allen managed to capture departmental honors and graduate magna cum laude.
| Photo by Bob Rashid |
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| Alec Chiquoine’07 delivered the
student address at Beloit’s
157th Commencement. |
The 2007 student address, delivered by political science major Alec Chiquoine (Reedsburg, Wis.), was among the highlights of Commencement. Chiquoine spoke with candor about the challenges facing graduates: war, genocide, poverty, racism, inequalities in health care, and a natural environment that is increasingly at risk.
“I do not tell you these things on this, a day of celebration, to cast a gloom over your achievements and dedication,” Chiquoine told the standing-room-only crowd. “ … I posit them here because before me sit hundreds of the most talented, motivated, and promising individuals I have ever had the good fortune to know. Individuals who have proven that with the right resources and motivation, any number of accomplishments are possible. … Class of 2007, make a history that will live on and inspire others, for it is the only story worthy of your efforts.”
Chiquoine, who graduated summa cum laude, is one of five 2007 graduates with a unique Beloit history: His parents, Stephen’74 and Eleanor Wright Chiquoine’76, are both alumni.
| Photo by Bob Rashid |
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| Commencement speaker Bruce Alberts, left, receives an
honorary degree from President Burris. |
Distinguished Honors
During Commencement, Beloit College conferred three honorary degrees, and a beloved faculty member took his final bow before joining the ranks of Beloit’s emeriti faculty.
Honorary Doctor of Science degree recipient and Commencement speaker Bruce Alberts is a cellular biologist, University of California-San Francisco professor, and advocate for scientific literacy. He led the prestigious 1,800-member National Academy of Sciences for more than a decade. In his Commencement address at Beloit, he emphasized the importance of science education for all people and discussed the need for young scientists to advance knowledge while also building bridges of trust with other countries and cultures. “We need a new generation of scientific missionaries,” Alberts said.
| Photos by Bob Rashid |
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| College Trustee and honorary degree
recipient Ken Hendricks. |
Diane Hendricks, honorary Doctor of
Humane Letters degree recipient. |
Community leaders and Beloit visionaries Ken and Diane Hendricks received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees in recognition of their many civic contributions to the Beloit community, which include serving as the driving spirit behind the city of Beloit’s renaissance. Ken Hendricks, a Beloit College trustee, heads ABC Supply Co. With corporate headquarters along Beloit’s riverfront, it is the largest roofing and siding distribution company in the United States. Diane Hendricks, a partner in the ABC success story, serves on the boards of many charitable and civic organizations, including the Beloit Foundation, Beloit Memorial Hospital, Stateline Boys and Girls Club, and the recently formed Hendricks Family Foundation.
| Photo by Bob Rashid |
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| Professor Emeritus of Mathematics
Phil Straffin. |
Phil Straffin, professor of mathematics and computer science, joined the honored ranks of Beloit’s emeriti faculty after an award-winning, 37-year teaching career. Colleagues often referred to Straffin as “the happiest man in Chamberlin Hall” because of his joy for mathematics and his ability to convey that joy to undergraduates. “In retirement, we sincerely hope that he continues to set creative challenges for himself and those around him with the same infectious enthusiasm he has shown as a member of the Beloit College faculty,” said Lynn Franken, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College.
