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Pikeville College honors undergraduate Class of 2011

May 24, 2011 3:00 PM

PIKEVILLE, KY

Standing before the Class of 2011, a choir of beautiful voices delivered a heartwarming performance of the alma mater, “The Orange and Black,” honoring the academic achievements of 150 undergraduate students and the last graduating class of Pikeville College.

The college will officially become the University of Pikeville on July 1.

Five valedictorians were recognized during the May 21 ceremony at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville, including Elizabeth Quinn Buckley of Pikeville, Olivia Danielle Harris of Pikeville, Tyler Jordan Little of Neon, Amy Sue Owens of Haysi, Va., and Gary Thomas Smith of Virgie. Megan LeAnn Smith of Pikeville was class salutatorian.

Keynote speaker, retired U.S. Senator Wendell H. Ford, was presented with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. Pikeville College Dean Emeritus, Wallace Campbell, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Also honored were Robert Arts, professor of education and physics and chairman of the division of mathematics and natural sciences, and Joe Whittaker, associate professor of biology, who were first- and second-place recipients respectively of the college’s William Wade and Helen Record Walker Teaching Excellence Awards.

During the commencement, Army ROTC Cadet Matthew Doyle was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant in a military commissioning ceremony. Maj. General Edward W. Tonini, the adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard, administered the oath of office to Doyle who was honored as the first cadet in the Pikeville College ROTC program to be commissioned.

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The undergraduate Class of 2011 marked the end of an era May 21 as the last graduates of Pikeville College. “The applause and cheers of your family, friends and the community acknowledge how proud we all are of your accomplishments during your years at Pikeville,” said President Paul E. Patton. “We extend our very best wishes as you commence the next phase of your life journey.”