ATHENS, Ohio -- Associate Professor of Health Sciences Douglas Bolon encouraged the more than 800 master's and doctoral graduates to bring their personal integrity with them as they enter the real world in addressing Ohio University's graduate commencement today in the Convocation Center.
"I hope as you head out into the world, armed with the latest knowledge, skills and abilities that an Ohio University degree can provide, you do not forget to bring your personal integrity along for the journey," Bolon said. "Establish your own moral compass or code of values and be willing to hold your ground no matter what the cost or temptation."
Honored as the 2002 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member, Bolon said one of the people in his life who he respected and admired was the late Bob Wren, a successful Ohio University baseball coach for whom the university's baseball stadium is named. In his early teenage years, Bolon was a batboy for some of Wren's most successful teams.
"Bob Wren was a teacher and coach, with great attention to detail and a strong desire to insure that things were always done the correct way," Bolon said. "He was what he appeared to be. He was a man of great integrity."
Bolon, also graduate coordinator in the School of Health Sciences, earned a master's degree in health services administration from Arizona State University and earned a doctorate in management from Virginia Tech. An active researcher, he has published articles in numerous journals and served on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Health Administration Education.
Also at this morning's ceremony, Morgan Vis, associate professor of environmental and plant biology, was named 2003 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Member and Donald Oserbrock was honored with an honorary doctor of science degree for his distinguished contributions to the fields of astronomy and astrophysics.
Vis, a member of the Ohio University faculty since 1996, earned a doctorate in biology from Memorial University in Newfoundland, a master's degree in botany from the University of Rhode Island and a bachelor's degree in biology from Kalamazoo College. Her research focuses on comprehensive studies of algae in freshwater streams, including algal dispersal, population biology, systematics, reproductive ecology and tolerance to disturbed habitats.
Osterbrock, an Ohio native and professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz, holds degrees in physics and astronomy from the University of Chicago. He has taught at Princeton and the California Institute of Technology, among other institutions. The author or co-author of seven books, Osterbrock's honors include two Guggenheim Fellowships, the Doggett Prize for Historical Astronomy from the American Astronomical Society and an asteroid that was named "Osterbrock" in 1996.
Martin Savidge, CNN news anchor and national correspondent, will address more than 3,000 undergraduates at Ohio University's 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 14, in the Convocation Center.
