SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Briar Cliff University will honor its outstanding students, faculty, staff and administrators at the 2008 Honors Convocation at 3:30 p.m. on May 8 in Chapel of Our Lady of Grace on the Briar Cliff campus.

Led by cross-bearer Sister Grace Ann Witte, O.S.F., associate professor of sociology, the Honors Convocation will begin with a processional and Edward Elgar’s song “Land of Hope and Glory.”  Flag bearers for the ceremony are Briar Cliff University students Jessica Duin, Jennifer Ernesti and Jessica Goeser.  The Briar Cliff Chamber Choir will lead the National Anthem while Mark Westrich, director, BCCares, will deliver the Invocation.  William T. Mangan, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs, will provide the welcome.

Michael Crowley, associate professor of mass communications, will deliver the keynote address entitled “Surviving the Media Jungle.”  Before honors are conferred the Briar Cliff Chamber Choir will perform Richard Farrant’s “Call to Remembrance, O Lord,” led by student conductor Ellen Osborn.

The three categories of recognition are: Student Honors, All-University Honors and Faculty Scholarship Honors.  Student Honors include the annual Student Heart of the University Award, which recognizes a student who makes the campus a better place to live aesthetically, socially and spiritually; and the Student Award for Service, awarded to a student who volunteers for community projects, helps victims of poverty and social injustice, or serves on BCU student committees.

The Convocation will also confer the Distinguished Senior Continuing Education Award to a continuing education student for high scholarship, unusual dedication and selfless commitment to Briar Cliff University.  A traditional age student who meets similar criteria will be presented with the Distinguished Senior Alumni Award.  Additionally, the Distinguished Graduate Student Award will be presented to a graduate student that demonstrates high scholarship, creativity, collegiality, leadership and the potential for significant impact on society. 

One graduate student from Briar Cliff’s master’s in nursing program also will be honored during the Convocation ceremony.

The Dorothy Collins Art Scholar will be presented by Bill Welu, M.F.A., professor of art.  Established in November 2000 by James Gleason, son of the late Dorothy Collins, the award recognizes superior artistic and academic achievement.  It also financially assists the recipient with a $2,000 scholarship and $500 for art show supplies.  Collins, who passed away in 1993, graduated from Briar Cliff in 1969 with degrees in sociology and psychology. 

Each academic department of the university will honor a student for academic achievement. Students who qualified for the Dean’s List will be presented with a certificate to recognize their academic accomplishments.  The Briar Cliff University Class of 2008 valedictorian and salutatorian will be announced and honored at the convocation.

All-University Honors include the Paul and Francis Duff Pursuit of Excellence Award.  This award was established in 1984 by Katarina P. Flanagan of Peabody, Mass., to recognize outstanding service to Briar Cliff University by a member of the faculty, staff or administration.  The Spiritus Franciscanus Award will be presented to a member of the university community who reflects the values of Saint Francis and Saint Clare; and the Bonaventure Award will be awarded to an employee who has helped advance and achieve the integration of student curricular and co-curricular experiences through the establishment of learning communities, collaborative ventures or other activities that promote the achievement of a holistic education. 

The Distinguished Staff and Administrator Awards will be presented to a staff member and an administrator who demonstrate an extraordinary and a consistent commitment to their responsibilities to Briar Cliff University.  The Emerging Faculty Scholar Award, which is presented annually to a member of the faculty who has taught for five years or less and has demonstrated outstanding scholarship in teaching, research and creative works, will also be awarded.

Briar Cliff University President Beverly Wharton will deliver closing remarks, after which the convocation the Chamber Choir will lead the assembly in singing “The Briar Cliff Hymn.”  BCU student Megan McMillen will give the benediction as the Honors Convocation comes to a close with the recessional and a second rendition of “Land of Hope and Glory.” A reception will immediately follow in the Saint Francis Center, which is located inside the Stark Student Center.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 26 states and four countries.  Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion.