147th Spring Commencement

Susan Robinett Department Chair / Professor of Business, B.S., M.S. Ed., Ph.D. GRAND MARSHAL PROGRAM NOTES Concord University awards the distinction of Summa Cum Laude (“With Highest Honors”) to persons whose cumulative grade point average is 3.80 or above, based on a possible 4.00. The attainment of Magna Cum Laude (“With Great Honors”) status is gained through a cumulative grade point average from 3.60 to 3.79. Cum Laude (With Honors”) graduates have achieved an average between 3.30 and 3.59. Honors in Major Subject (Field Honors) are granted to graduates with a cumulative grade point average between 3.00 and 3.29 who have also achieved an average of at least 3.50 in all courses in their major, teaching field, or elementary specialization. A Brief Historical Background Concord University was chartered by the State Legislature on February 28, 1872, as a branch of the “State Normal School,” to offer the “normal” teaching certificate to those preparing to instruct in area schools. The University opened its doors to its first 70 students at the site of Athens School on State Street. The present campus grew from a 26-acre farm plot purchased from the Vermillion family after fire devas- tated the midtown location in November 1910. Reflecting continued expansion, the name of our institution changed from Concord State Normal School to Concord State Teacher’s College in 1931, to Concord College in 1943, and finally, to Concord University in 2004. The following description of the University’s environment was printed over one hundred years ago in the 1899 Catalog: “The air, the water, and the scenic beauties of the place conspire in producing the health and strength which should distinguish the West Virginian. And these good influences are aided by the absence of all temptations to vice. No school can be more free from all those influences which tend to degrade either the moral or physical well-being of the young.” Concord’s continuing mission is to provide quality, liberal arts-based education, to foster scholarly activities, and to serve the regional community.