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Commencement 2017, Honorary Degree Luncheon

a vase with flowers in it

The table is set to welcome three recipients of Honorary Degrees and their guests before Sunday's Commencement ceremony.

a man smiling at a podium

President Gregory Hess welcomes guests and smiles as he introduces Honorary Degree recipient Stephen Bowen ’68, who is about to hear some unexpected good news.

a man in suit and tie laughing

Bowen, who serves as chair of the College's Board of Trustees, reacts as his law partner and long-time friend Michael Pucker steps forward while President Hess announces that Pucker and his family, through the Pritzker Foundation, have established an endowed professorship to honor Bowen.

two men hugging each other

Visibly moved, Bowen hugs his friend in gratitude for the establishment of the Stephen S. Bowen Professorship in the Liberal Arts.

a man in a suit and tie

Professor Derek Nelson ’99 is surprised to learn he will be the first Stephen S. Bowen Professor in the Liberal Arts.

a man in a suit and tie

Bowen is more than pleased with the choice. Nelson's Wabash mentor was the late Professor Bill Placher ’70, a friend and inspiration to Bowen.

a man standing at a podium

Bowen remembers the trustees and teachers who mentored, befriended, and inspired him.

two men shaking hands in front of a black background

President Hess welcomes Dr. John Myers ’74 to the podium.

a man speaking at a podium

Myers, one of the nation's premier pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, was one of the top pre-med students at the College. But he didn't earn his Wabash degree because he had to return home to help his mother take care of the family after the untimely death of his father.

an older woman sitting in a chair

Myers introduced his mother…

a woman and a child clapping

and his wife, JoEllen, to those gathered.

a woman sitting in a chair with her hands folded

First Lady Lora Hess listens to Dr. Myers' talk about his time at Wabash and after.

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Honorary Degree recipient David Shane ’70 is uncomfortable in the spotlight, but, President Hess says, 'It is high time that his College pay tribute to his lifetime of service.'

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President Hess welcomes Shane to the podium.

a man in a suit and tie at a podium

Shane introduces his family.

a man in a suit smiling

President Hess enjoys Shane's stories.

a man in a suit holding a piece of paper and pointing at something

Shane brought one of his papers from his Wabash student days and a class whose purpose was to study 'man's search to understand himself.' On the paper his professor had written, 'This is good, but you were asked for something more.'

a man in a suit and tie

Dr. Myers listens to David Shane.

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Shane's wife, Anne, enjoys the luncheon.

a group of people clapping their hands

Anne and the Shane's daughter, Molly, applaud the honoree.

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Professor Emeritus Raymond Williams H’68 was moved by the naming of the new professorship, congratulates Bowen.

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A photo op for Steve Bowen, his children, and grandkids.

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Dr. Myers talks with his former biology teacher, Professor Aus Brooks ’61.

a group of men in suits

Steve Bowen and Michael Pucker with the first Stephen S. Bowen Professor in the Liberal Arts, Derek Nelson.

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