Summer 2005

Commencement

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology conferred 378 undergraduate or graduate degrees, and three honorary degrees during the college's 127th commencement May 28.

A crowd estimated at 4,800 packed the Sports and Recreation Center for graduation which included the traditional procession of graduates through campus.

A total of 340 bachelor's degrees and 38 master's degrees were awarded during the two-hour ceremony.

The commencement address was delivered by Al Shipp, vice president of enterprise sales for Apple Computer Inc. Shipp, a 1978 Rose-Hulman electrical engineering graduate, is responsible for business development to expand the worldwide market for Apple Computer Products.

Shipp told the graduates that innovation is the key if American businesses, the government and our country are to continue to prosper.

In order to achieve success, he encouraged graduates to continue to learn, to surround themselves with the best people, to know their strengths and weaknesses, to demonstrate and grow their character, and to be persistent.

In addition to the bachelor's and master's degrees conferred, three honorary doctor of humane letters degrees were awarded to an Illinois Army National Guard soldier cited for bravery in Iraq, to the president of the Indianapolis Colts and to the college's long time dean of admissions during the college's 127^th graduation program.

Honorary degree recipients were Sgt. Justin Villanueva, a member of the Illinois Army National Guard who was wounded in Iraq; Bill Polian, president of the Indianapolis Colts; and Chuck Howard, retiring vice president and dean of admissions at Rose-Hulman.

Villanueva has been awarded the Purple Heart and several other medals for his service in Iraq as a member of the 1544^th Transportation Company of the Illinois Army National Guard located in Paris, Ill. On September 5 last year, an enemy mortar attack at a company area killed two soldiers and wounded 16, including Sgt. Villanueva. While being treated for injuries to his eye, jaw and lung, Villanueva was credited with bolstering the morale of soldiers around him.

During a 26-year career in the National Football League, Polian has earned a reputation as one of the most admired and successful executives in professional sports. In his seven years as president of the Indianapolis Colts, Polian has provided the leadership that has resulted in the Colts being one of the NFL's most successful teams.

Howard retired in June after serving for 37 years as a member of the Rose-Hulman admissions staff. He joined the college's staff in 1968 as an admissions counselor. Howard was named dean of admissions in 1982 and promoted to vice president in 1997. He received the President's Outstanding Service Award in 1988 for his contributions to Rose-Hulman.