Dr. Shirley Hoogstra
Dr. Shirley Hoogstra, president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, will address graduates and guests at Lee University’s spring commencement on Saturday, May 9, at 9:30 a.m. on the lawn of the Science and Math Complex.
Dr. Hoogstra started her term as the first female president of the CCCU in September 2014. Prior to that, she served as the vice president for student life at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mi., from 1999-2014, after serving four years on the school’s Board of Trustees. During her time at Calvin, Dr. Hoogstra was involved with the CCCU as a co-planner and facilitator of several Leadership Development Institutes and as an officer on two CCCU commissions.
Prior to her work in higher education, Dr. Hoogstra practiced law as a partner for 13 years in New Haven, Ct.
Dr. Hoogstra received her juris doctor degree from University of Connecticut School of Law, following her bachelor’s degree in regular and special education from Calvin College.
Graduation festivities will begin with a hooding ceremony for students earning graduate degrees. This service will take place in the Lee University Chapel on Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m.
After the hooding ceremony, all graduates will march in the commissioning service at 6:30 p.m. on the SMC lawn. During commissioning, six graduates will share stories of their Lee experiences, and all graduates will receive Bibles to commemorate this personal milestone. Following the service, there will be a reception on the Pedestrian Mall for guests and graduates.
The commissioning and commencement services will not require tickets unless inclement weather shifts the ceremony indoors, where seating is limited. Over 475 degrees are set to be conferred, about 50 of which are for graduate students.
The hooding, commissioning, and commencement will be available for live stream viewing at http://livestream.com/leeu.
For more information about commencement exercises, please contact the Academic Events Office at academicevents@leeuniversity.edu, 614-8117 or visit the website at http://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/graduation-info/.