USC announces AASCU President as Fall
Commencement Speaker Pueblo -- A strong advocate for public higher education and its students
will deliver a commencement address to the fall 2002 graduating class of the
University of Southern Colorado in December.
Dr. Constantine W. Curris, President of the American Association of State
Colleges and Universities, will address more than 300 graduating seniors during
commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. on December 14 in USC's Massari Arena.
USC President Ronald Applbaum said he looks forward to Dr. Curris's address.
"I am pleased that Dr. Curris has agreed to share his message regarding the
benefits of public education with our graduates and our community at
commencement ceremonies in December," said Applbaum.
"He has been a staunch supporter of access and opportunity to
post-secondary education for all students," he added "and his
appearance will help us reiterate the value that this institution places on
those qualities and the commitment we have made to upholding them."
Curris assumed the presidency of the American Association of State Colleges and
Universities in October 1999. He is the fourth chief executive for AASCU -- a
national association of over 400 public colleges and universities.
A Kentucky native, Curris has served as President of three universities: Murray
State University (KY) for 10 years, the University of Northern Iowa for 12
years, and Clemson University (SC) for more than four years before accepting the
AASCU post. The Murray State Student Center and the Northern Iowa Business
Building bear Curris' name.
Curris is a strong advocate for public higher education and its students and a
proponent of the qualitative strengthening of higher education institutions in
order to meet public needs and expectations in the 21st Century. Curris has been
associated with AASCU since 1973 and in 1995 served as Chairman of the Board.
Curris has served on the 1998 Commission on the Future of the South, the Kellogg
Commission on the Future of State and Land-Grant Universities, the Education
Commission of the States, the Iowa Board of Economic Development, the South
Carolina Research Authority, The Sigma Chi Foundation, and the chairmanships of
American Humanics and the Iowa Task Force on Teacher Education and
Certification.
Curris, nicknamed "Deno," received his baccalaureate and doctoral
degrees from the University of Kentucky and his master's from the University of
Illinois. He is married to Jo Hern Curris, a tax attorney. They are parents of
two adult children, Robert Alexander and Elena Diane.
Commencement Information:
Attendance at the commencement ceremony is limited to ticket-holding guests
and families of the graduates. Guests are encouraged to arrive early on campus
and to be seated in the arena by 9:30 a.m.
Professional photographs of individual graduates will be taken as the graduates
receive their diploma. During the ceremony, informal picture taking by family
and friends is discouraged.
Following the commencement ceremony, the USC Alumni Association will sponsor a
reception for graduates and their guests in the Occhiato University Center
Ballroom.
For more information about USC Commencement activities, contact Gloria
Gutierrez, commencement coordinator, at (719) 549-2951.
The University of Southern Colorado is a regional, comprehensive university
emphasizing professional, career-oriented and applied programs. Displaying
excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and
outreach, USC is distinguished by access, opportunity and the overall quality of
services provided to its students.
