Pfeiffer University celebrated commencement Saturday with the class of 2011.
All of Pfeiffer’s newest 158 graduates stood and acknowledged parents, grandparents, professors and peers that had a role in their success when asked by President Michael C. Miller to point to those in the crowd who helped them achieve their academic goals
“We are all proud of you,” Miller said as he presided over his first undergraduate commencement as president of Pfeiffer University, as he reminded students to seek “moral intelligence” as a guiding force in their post-graduate lives.
In his commencement address, author and Washington Post sports columnist John Feinstein encouraged students to “find the one thing that you love” as the key for life success.
Feinstein has written 27 books, include “A Good Walk Spoiled – A Year Inside the Live of the PGA Tour” and “Season on the Brink,” which chronicled a year in the life of the Indiana University basketball team and Coach Bobby Knight,
The Pearl Walton Fisher Citizenship Award was presented by Dawn Lucas, chair of the Faculty Senate. The award is given annually to the senior who exhibits strong civic contributions, good scholastic record, contributions to the university, and a positive standing among peers.
Lourdes Silva, Pfeiffer’s registrar, presented the Senior Scholastic Achievement Award.
Both awards went to the same student, Birgit Arnold, who earneed a 4.07 grade-point average. Arnold is a communications and journalism major with a minor in international cultural studies, and served as a peer tutor, student ambassador, and editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, among other activities.
“Birgit is a self-starter and high achiever,” said Lucas in her remarks. “She embodies what this award stands for.”
Established in 1885, Pfeiffer University is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.