Table Of Contents
Spring Commencement Set for May 10
Alumni Office Launches New Social Networking Web Site
Connelly Receives Campus Environmental Award
Spring Commencement Set for May 10
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) will confer degrees to approximately 520 spring graduates during the university’s commencement ceremonies on Saturday. The ceremonies will take place at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 10 at the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center (4301 Broadway).
The morning commencement will honor graduates of the Dreeben School of Education, the School of Interactive Media and Design, the School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering and the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Alonso Ancira will deliver the commencement address and will be recognized with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Ancira serves as chairman of the board of Altos Hornos de Mexico, the largest steel manufacturing company in Mexico and also one of the largest in the world. He also serves as chairman of the board of directors of MATT.org – Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together - a non-profit, online think tank based in San Antonio. Ancira has a long history of involvement with education, and has served as a board member of several universities in Mexico. He was previously honored by the University of Guanajuato with an honorary doctorate degree in mining and holds a law degree from the University of Anáhuac in Mexico City. He is also a member of Who’s Who among International Business Professionals. Ancira is a native of Mexico City, and a dual citizen of Mexico and the U.S. Ancira and his wife, Susana, have one daughter, Sofía.
The second commencement celebration will honor the graduates of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and the H-E-B School of Business and Administration. The keynote address for this ceremony will be given by Dr. Arturo Chávez, a 1989 graduate of UIW, and the 2008 Alumni of Distinction for Service in Mission.
Chávez is currently the president of the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in San Antonio. Chávez’ career spans more than 20 years and he has spent much of that time serving in a variety of ministries. As a community organizer and activist, he founded JOVEN, a nonprofit organization for youth and families in San Antonio. In addition, Chávez is co-author, with his wife Mary, of a dynamic new curriculum for Latino Youth Leadership Formation called “RESPETO,” currently being implemented in parishes throughout the country. Chávez holds a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from UIW, a master’s degree in theological studies from the Oblate School of Theology, and a doctoral degree from the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology.
Two hours before each ceremony a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in the UIW Fine Arts Auditorium (4301 Broadway). Processional and recessional music will be performed by the San Antonio Pipes and Drums. Musical direction will be provided by UIW Associate Professor of Music William Gokelman.
Alumni Office Launches New Social Networking Web Site
University of the Incarnate Word has introduced a new alumni community building web site, www.uiwalumni.org, dubbed “The Cardinal’s Nest.”
The site offers alumni the opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, learn about alumni related events, post photos, and participate in alumni-related discussions on the site’s message boards.
“The site gives us a more dynamic alumni presence,” said Lisa Schultz, UIW Director of Alumni. “Our hope is that it will increase alumni participation in all UIW-related activities.”
Since its launch in late April nearly 400 alumni have signed into their accounts, and updated their information, according to Assistant Director of Alumni Rick Smith.
The goal is to have 50 percent of all alumni signed up by year’s end, he added.
Also featured on the site are the Alumni Association Board, information on the Student Alumni Association, and a Career Center for UIW graduates.
For more information on the site, please visit www.uiwalumni.org, or call 210.829.
Connelly Receives Campus Environmental Award
Dr. Robert Connelly has been awarded the William Mulcahy Award for Ecological Stewardship at the University of the Incarnate Word.
Dr. Connelly, UIW’s Assistant Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs and Director of Assessment, received the award at an on-campus ceremony on Earth Day, April 22.
The award is presented annually on Earth Day to a person who has contributed to preserving both the campus and planet.
In addition to his long-term work with the UIW campus’ Green efforts, Dr. Connelly has been instrumental in the development of The Headwaters Coalition, a sanctuary preserving 54 acres of wilderness adjacent to Incarnate Word.
Sr. Helena Monahan, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word Congregational Coordinator, lauded Connelly’s involvement with the project.
“The creation and development of The Headwaters Coalition owes so much to the patient and steady leadership of Dr. Connelly,” Monahan said. “The project simply would not have happened without him.”
“Bob’s commitment to environmental sustainability goes beyond his dedication to The Headwaters Coalition,” she added. “He has been the spirit behind several important campus efforts, including the recycling plan.”
For more information on The Headwaters Coalition, visit www.headwaterscoalition.org.
Now in its second year, the inauguaral award was presented to William Mulcahy, Superintendent of Grounds at UIW and the award's namesake, for his decades of work with campus beautification and preservation.
