PELLA — Central College will hold commencement exercises for 334 seniors in H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse Saturday, May 14, at 2 p.m. The Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble will perform starting at 1:30 p.m. For tickets, call the alumni office at 800-447-0287. A reception for the 2011 graduating class will follow on the lawn east of the Ron Schipper Fitness Center.
This year’s graduation speaker is Dr. Tom Boat, a 1961 alumnus of Central College. He is executive associate dean of clinical affairs for the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and CEO of the University of Cincinnati physicians. His commencement address is titled “The Next Fifty Years: Change and Choices.” Boat will be awarded an honorary degree from Central during commencement exercises.
He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Society for Pediatric Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Thoracic Society, American Pediatric Society, American Medical Association, Cincinnati Pediatric Society and the Association of American Medical Colleges. In 2001, he was elected to the Institute of Medicine. He serves on the medical advisory council as well as chair of the research development program and advisory committee for the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is a member of the research advisory committee for the American Board of Pediatrics.
Boat earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, a master’s in anatomy and a Doctor of Medicine degree, both from the University of Iowa. He earned a certification in pediatrics in 1971 and pediatric pulmonary medicine in 1995. In 1990, Boat was honored with Central’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and he has also served on the National Advisory Council.
“I grew up in Pella and spent four of the best years of my life on Central’s campus,” said Boat. “Those years turned out to be ideal preparation for a career in pediatric medicine and later in medical system management. I look forward, eagerly, to viewing firsthand how Central has advanced over the last 50 years and getting better acquainted with the current generation students, faculty and college leadership.”
Baccalaureate is Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. at First Reformed Church, 603 Broadway St., in Pella. A brunch will follow at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Central Market. Reservations are requested.
Rev. Chad Pierce, assistant professor of religion, will deliver the baccalaureate message. Pierce is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America. After completing a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College, Pierce received a master’s degree from Jerusalem University College, a Master of Divinity from Western Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in early Judaism from the University of Durham (United Kingdom).
