Larry D. Shinn, Ph.D., president emeritus of Berea College and a professor of religious studies, will be the keynote speaker when Misericordia University holds its 90th annual undergraduate Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m.
West Wyoming-native Rear Admiral (RADM) Scott F. Giberson, assistant U.S. surgeon general and former acting deputy surgeon general of the United States, will be the speaker for the graduate Commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. RADM Giberson served as the leader of Commissioned Corps Headquarters for the 6,700-plus members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and provides direction and control over policy, readiness, deployment and all operations. RADM Giberson also served as the overall commander for the Commissioned Corps' Ebola Response in West Africa.
Both Commencement ceremonies will be held in the Anderson Sports and Health Center on campus. Commencement activities also will include a baccalaureate Mass, which will be offered on Friday, May 20 at 4 p.m. in Lemmond Theater in Walsh Hall.
Dr. Shinn began his 42-year career in higher education as a professor at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. He served as a dean and academic vice president at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, and subsequently led Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, as president from 1994-2012. Dr. Shinn has published five books and three dozen articles in religious studies as well as higher education essays on such topics as the liberal arts and professional education; the changing role of shared governance; presidential leadership in difficult times, and the attraction and retention of low-income and minority students. Given his background and experience, Dr. Shinn now works collaboratively with presidents and boards of trustees on presidential coaching and assessment, board assessment and development, and ways to use strategic thinking effectively in institutional transformation.
Dr. Shinn earned his Bachelor of Arts from Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio; his Masters of Divinity from Drew Theological School, Madison, New Jersey, and his Ph.D. in the history of religions from Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. During the Commencement ceremony, Misericordia University will present Dr. Shinn with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
RADM Giberson began his Commissioned Corps career in 1994 as a clinical pharmacist at Indian Health Service (IHS). He maintains dual licensure as a pharmacist and clinician – and was credentialed as a part-time member of an IHS Family Practice Medical staff for a number of years throughout his career. He has authored articles in many publications, spoken at numerous venues domestically and internationally, and served as adjunct faculty at multiple universities. His most notable and recognized document in pharmacy was the Report to the Surgeon General in 2011 on Improving Health System Outcomes through Advanced Pharmacy Practice.
RADM Giberson has served in many Corps roles as a pharmacist, clinician, Senior Public Health Advisor, and executive leader. In 2001, RADM Giberson responded to the Anthrax attacks in New York City, and was a founding member of the newly formed Department of Homeland Security. In 2003, RADM Giberson was detailed to the Department of Defense Pacific Command leading HIV/AIDS programs involving more than 23 countries.
RADM Giberson has received numerous awards, including the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Surgeon General's Medallion, and a Secretary's Meritorious Medal. He holds a Bachelors Degree in pharmacy from Temple University, Philadelphia; a Master's Degree in public health from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, and a graduate certificate in Health Emergencies in Large Populations, International Committee of the Red Cross. RADM Giberson received an Honorary Doctor of Science from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for his body of work on interprofessional practice. RADM Giberson was also awarded the Corps' first-ever Presidential Unit Citation – awarded to him by President Obama in the Oval Office – for the Corps' response to Ebola. In October 2015, RADM Giberson received his second star to Rear Admiral Upper Half.
RADM Giberson will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during the ceremony.
Thomas M. Check, D.D.S., Gwynedd Valley, will be recognized during the graduate Commencement ceremony for his work as a humanitarian, and also will receive a Doctor of Human Letters degree. A highly respected dentist in the Philadelphia region, Dr. Check traveled to Jamaica for 46 consecutive years to administer dental care to underprivileged children. In addition, he is credited with establishing dental clinics at the Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica in 1964 and at St. John Bosco Boys Home in Mandeville, Jamaica in 1983, both operated by the Sisters of Mercy. Dr. Check is the husband of the late Misericordia alumna Elizabeth "Betty" Kern Check, Class of 1949, who passed away in 2008.
