01 Apr May 18 — HU Commencement to Recognize 323 Grads

Huntington University will hold its 115th Commencement at 2:30 pm on Saturday, May 18, in the Merillat Complex fieldhouse. Degrees–bachelor’s, associate’s, and master’s–will be awarded to 323 graduates. The graduate hooding ceremony will take place at College Park Church in Huntington at 11 a.m.

The commencement speaker will be Mike Packnett, president and CEO of Parkview Health, the largest employer in northeast Indiana. HU works with Parkview through its nursing program and through Fort Wayne-based academic programs.

The university will also award four honorary doctorate degrees.

• Doctor of Humane Letters: Commencement speaker Mike Packnett.
• Doctor of Commercial Science: Dale Haupert, a 25-year member of the HU Board of Trustees. Haupert has worked in the life insurance business for 44 years.
• Doctor of Humane Letters: Dr. Emmett Lippe, an 18-year board member. Lippe graduated from Huntington University in 1964, and went on to serve 29 years as a school district superintendent in Michigan. In 2005, he formed his own consulting company, Lippe Consulting, LLC, through which he mentors other school leaders. He holds earned doctorates from both Michigan State University and Ball State University.
• Doctor of Commercial Science: Edward Souers, a 15-year board member and past president of the HU Board. He graduated from Huntington University in 1975 with a degree in accounting, management, and business education, and in 1977 received an associate of arts degree in accounting. He is a partner in Christen Souers LLC, a certified public accounting firm with locations in Fort Wayne and Marion, Ind.