News Release
May 2002
(Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) - Moravian College will bestow
honorary degrees to two distinguished individuals at its commencement
ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Honorary doctorates
will be awarded to Curtis H. (Hank) Barnette, chairman emeritus of Bethlehem
Steel Corporation and Comenius Professor of Leadership and Executive-in-Residence
at Moravian College; and Dr. Philip J. Erdle, president and chief executive
officer of International Education Foundation, Inc. The College will
grant degrees to approximately 289 bachelor's degree candidates and
fifteen MBA degree candidates at the graduation ceremonies in the outdoor
quadrangle behind the Haupert Union Building. In the event of rain,
the program will be held in Johnston Hall. The ceremony will conclude
the 260th academic year at Moravian, America's sixth-oldest college.
Hank
Barnette will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. At
his retirement in April 2000, Barnette had served as chairman and chief
executive officer of Bethlehem Steel Corporation for six years, capping
a career of more than three decades with the firm. A native of West
Virginia, Barnette graduated from West Virginia University, Yale Law
School, and Harvard University Business School. He was also a Fulbright
Scholar and studied international law at the University of Manchester
in England.
At a national level, Mr. Barnette has been a valued consultant
on international business and trade issues to three administrations.
In 1989 and 1991, he was appointed a member of the President's Trade
Advisory Committee by President Bush, and again in 1994 and 1997 by
President Clinton. He was also appointed to the Council of the Administrative
Conference of the United States by President Reagan in 1988.
Barnette was named Comenius Professor of Leadership and
Executive-in-Residence at Moravian College in April 2002. In this role,
he has shared his considerable experience, expertise, and insight with
undergraduate, MBA, and alumni at the College. At Moravian, he has lectured
on ethics and leadership, management and organizational theory, business
strategy, and international trade.
Dr.
Philip J. Erdle will also be presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws
degree at commencement. Dr. Erdle is currently president and chief executive
of International Education Foundation, Inc., where he develops strategies
for large governmental and worldwide training systems. Throughout a
career devoted to national and international education, Dr. Erdle has
also served as president of National Education International, an NEC
subsidiary that operated educational programs in 77 training worldwide
training centers. He has also directed educational resources development
for Bechtel Corporation, where he was responsible for developing education
systems for international clients in 22 countries, including the Middle
East.
A former member of the Board of Trustees of Moravian College,
Dr. Erdle established the Al Williams Leadership Series at Moravian
in fall 2001. This program brings prominent, successful community and
national leaders to the College for direct dialogue with students on
character and leadership development.
A Bethlehem native and graduate of Liberty High School,
Dr. Erdle earned a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Military
Academy, a master's degree from the University of Michigan, and his
doctorate from the University of Colorado. From 1973 to 1979, he served
as professor, vice dean of the faculty, and head of the Engineering
Division of the U.S. Air Force Academy. In 1979, Dr. Erdle retired from
the U.S. Air Force at the rank of brigadier general.
In keeping with a longstanding Moravian College tradition,
the graduating class recently elected a faculty member and a student
to speak at the commencement ceremony. Dr. Steve Gordy, professor of
religion, will give the "Statement to the Graduates". Kevin
R. Bush, Class of 2002, will deliver the "Statement of the Bachelor's
Graduates." Norman O'Shaughnessy, MBA Class of 2002, was selected
by the MBA program to deliver the "Statement of the Master's Graduates."
A baccalaureate service will be held on Friday, May 17,
at 5:30 p.m., in Central Moravian Church. The Reverend Dr. Carol J.
Vogler, vice president of the Canadian District, will address the graduates
at the service. Vogler received her bachelor's degree in religion from
Moravian College, and later earned her Master of Theological Studies
Degree, Master of Divinity Degree, and Doctorate in Human Ecology from
Boston University, Moravian College, and University of Alberta respectively.
She is an accomplished human service professional, with much training
and experience in diverse roles such as church pastor, program director,
case manager, and education coordinator.
Moravian College is a private, coeducational, selective
liberal arts college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Tracing its
founding to 1742, it is recognized as America's sixth-oldest college.
Visit the Moravian College Web site at www.moravian.edu.
