McCullough to Speak at Grad

John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of Church World Service, will address the 380 graduates on the front lawn at EMU's 87th annual commencement Sunday, May at 1 p.m. His address is titled "Beyond the Conspiracy of Silence."

Herm A. Weaver, associate professor of psychology, has been chosen by the seniors to give the baccalaureate address Saturday, April 30, at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium. Undergraduate senior class co-presidents Lindsay E. Martin, Salem, Ore., and Jared T. Stoltzfus, Harrisonburg, will give the class salutation.

EMU music students will give a short concert in Lehman Auditorium immediately following the baccalaureate service.

At the commencement service, graduates' perspectives will be given by Timothy W. Baldwin of New Providence, Pa., representing the Adult Degree Completion Program, and Merwyn E. DeMello, India/Kenya, representing the Conflict Transformation Program.

President Loren Swartzendruber will confer 380 degrees--317 undergraduate, 60 graduate, and 3 graduate certificates--on members of the graduating class 2005. Last year, EMU awarded 406 degrees.

Rev. McCullough has headed CWS, the oldest and largest ecumenical humanitarian organization in the world, since 2000. Before this, he was associate general secretary for the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.

A graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana and Boston University School of Theology, McCullough is an ordained elder in the Southern New England Conference of the United Methodist Church. He sees his personal mission as "preparing leaders for church and society, serving the needs of humanity, and working for global justice."

CWS has provided major funding to CTP in support of its Seminars on Trauma Awareness and Recovery (STAR), which provides training programs for religious leaders and caregivers who work in areas affected by trauma.

President and Mrs. Swartzendruber will host a reception for the graduates and their families Saturday at 9 p.m. in the Campus Center Greeting Hall.

In case of rain, commencement exercises will be held in the main arena of University Commons, which can accommodate 3,600 people. An announcement to that effect will be made by 11 a.m. that day on WEMC, 91.7 FM, and other area radio stations.