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Huntington University awards 313 degrees

Dr. Sherilyn Emberton (left), president of Huntington University, presents an honorary doctorate of humane letters to lifelong Huntington resident Steve Platt during the school’s 119th commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon, May 13, in the Merillat Complex Fieldhouse.
Dr. Sherilyn Emberton (left), president of Huntington University, presents an honorary doctorate of humane letters to lifelong Huntington resident Steve Platt during the school’s 119th commencement ceremony Saturday afternoon, May 13, in the Merillat Complex Fieldhouse. Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Huntington University awarded 313 degrees during its 119th commencement on Saturday, May 13.

The graduates included 32 members of the first HU class to receive doctorates in occupational therapy. In addition, two Huntington University alumni and lifelong supporters were awarded honorary degrees.

Huntington resident Steve Platt, who earned a business administration degree in 1974,  was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters. A basketball standout as a student, he returned to the university to coach the sport and, with his family, created a basketball scholarship. Platt, who made his career in agriculture, also serves on the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies Advisory Council.

Kelly K. Savage, a 1983 graduate who now lives in Grandville, MI, was awarded a Doctor of Commercial Science. Savage has served on the Huntington University Board of Trustees for 14 years and served as board chair from 2011 to 2015, when she was named board chair emeritus. She is employed as chief human resources officer for Amway.

The commencement address was presented by Dr. Shirley V. Hoogstra, who urged the graduates to live a life of generosity.

Melanie Lewis, representing the HU Class of 2017, announced the senior class gift, a metal abstract sculpture that will be placed outside the Merillat Centre for the Arts.

Huntington County residents earning degrees with the Class of 2017 are:

Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Lesley Anne Love, of Huntington.

Master of Arts
Elizabeth Martha Bolinger, of Warren, counseling.
Siearah Adrianna Ellenberger, of Huntington, counseling (will graduate in August).
Elizabeth Lee Finicle, of Huntington, counseling.
Taylor Jacob Finnegan, of Huntington, counseling (graduated in January).
David Allen Kline, of Huntington, youth ministry leadership.
Loretta Kay Mottram, of Huntington, organizational leadership.
Brandon Frederick Smith, of Andrews, counseling (will graduate in August).
David Anthony Wust, of Huntington, pastoral leadership (graduated in January).

Bachelor of Arts
Emily Lynnann Bleijerveld, of Huntington, Bible and religion.
Connor Rush Brown, of Huntington, history.
Andrew Jay Franks, of Huntington, Bible and religion, cum laude.
Allyson Rae Trout, of Huntington, psychology, summa cum laude.
Daniel Allen Wright, of Roanoke, Bible and religion.
Isaac Daniel Wust, of Huntington, history.

Bachelor of Science
Jeremiah Anderson, of Huntington, business administration (in absentia).
Daniel Steven Becker, of Huntington, exercise and movement science, summa cum laude.
Drew Allen Benedict, of Roanoke, recreation management (in absentia; will graduate in August).
Quinn Fetters, of Huntington, children’s ministry (will graduate in August).
Cora Luanne Frame, of Huntington, sport management.
Brock Dustin Gower, of Huntington, sport management (graduated in January).
Elizabeth Mason, of Huntington, not-for-profit leadership (will graduate in August).
Kalvin Mitchell Miller, of Huntington, elementary and special education, cum laude.
Sondra K. Scheiber, of Huntington, business administration, with honor.
Heaston Everett Schwob, of Andrews, sport and exercise studies.
Elizabeth Celle Smith, of Huntington, animation, cum laude.
Jarek Michael Spears, of Huntington, animation (will graduate in August).
Thomas Michael Stong, of Huntington, business administration (will graduate in August).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Marie Rose Ditzler, of Huntington, nursing, cum laude.
Molly Anna Marie Irick, of Huntington, nursing.
Sarah Marie Johnson, of Roanoke, nursing.
Tori Ann Coble Kissinger, of Huntington, nursing, summa cum laude.

Bachelor of Social Work
Tabitha Lynn Kratz, of Huntington, social work (will graduate in August).
Laura Elizabeth Sigworth, of Huntington, social work, cum laude.
Susanna Kay Vining, of Huntington, social work/psychology, magna cum laude.

Associate of Science
Rick Doering, of Huntington, organizational management (will graduate in August).
Edith Kay Runion, of Huntington, organizational management (will graduate in August).