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WCU awards honorary doctorates during Saturday commencement
A native of Rosman and a longtime community volunteer, both with extensive records of public service, were awarded honorary doctorates while a noted public education administrator received a major alumni award as Western Carolina University held spring commencement exercises Saturday (May 7).
Western Chancellor John Bardo recognized and applauded approximately 840 candidates for graduate and undergraduate degrees and challenged them to continue their education throughout their lives.
Bardo bestowed honorary doctorates of humane letters upon Blanton Whitmire and Margaret “Peg” Whitmire, a husband-and-wife team noted for their gifts to education, environmental concerns and urban beautification in St. Louis.
Shanna Brooks, a nursing major from Sylva, acknowledges the support of her family during Western Carolina University’s spring commencement exercises Saturday (May 7). She is the daughter of Marvin and Connie Brooks of Sylva and the granddaughter of Ed and June Stephens, also of of Sylva, and Coolidge and Elizabeth Brooks of Whittier.
The Alumni Award for Academic and Professional Achievement was presented to James Causby, who earned three degrees at Western, an education degree from Appalachian State University, and a doctorate in education administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He currently serves as executive director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators.
Longtime benefactors of education, the Whitmires provided funding in 1997 for the establishment of an endowed professorship in environmental sciences at Western.
In response to Bardo’s remarks, Blanton Whitmire congratulated the members of this year’s class and reminded them that care for the environment is the most important issue they will face.
Peg Whitmire told them she was a child of the Depression and never had a chance to go to college. She challenged students to put their knowledge to good use in their fields of study and in the world around them.
Causby, winner of this year’s Alumni Award for Academic and Professional Achievement, has carved out a distinguished career in education, having served as an elementary- and middle-grades teacher; principal of elementary, middle and high schools; and school superintendent in Johnston, Polk and Swain counties.
A Marion native, Causby currently serves as executive director of the 7,000-member North Carolina Association of School Administrators, and has won numerous awards for his outstanding work in public school administration.
He told the commencement crowd that he was happy to share such an important event in their lives.
“Without the education I got here at Western, I would not have been able to achieve what I have. In the years to come, you will recognize the value of your degree and high quality of the education you have received. Remember that, and support Western in the future,” he said.
A complete list of graduates will be announced following the posting of grades from final examinations.
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