Thursday, March 05, 2009
Two honorary degrees and President's Medal to be awarded at Commencement
 An Evansville businessman known for his generous spirit and an educator who revived a southern Indiana higher education institution will be awarded honorary degrees at the 2009 University of Southern Indiana Commencement in May. The USI Board of Trustees approved honorary degrees for Robert M. “Robbie” Kent Sr. and Dr. James W. Murray, retired president of Oakland City University, during the regular March board meeting today. Kent, a member of the first USI Eagles basketball team, built a distinguished career in the automotive industry. Through the support of his family, his affinity for automobiles, and his competitive nature, he owned and operated 11 automotive franchises. He was chairman and chief executive officer of Kenny Kent Toyota Lexus and Kenny Kent Chevrolet. He understands the value of intercollegiate athletics and the challenges of funding these programs so he supported the USI Athletic Department with in-kind gifts to help meet transportation needs of the teams. He is a member of the Varsity Club. During the first capital campaign at the University of Southern Indiana, Kent served as honorary alumni campaign chair for the College of Business. His generous gift and his work as chair increased scholarship and faculty development opportunities. His wife Marguerite is a 1972 USI graduate. USI also is honoring the leadership of Dr. Murray who retired in 2007 after 33 years as president of Oakland City University. With vision and dedication, he revamped the school from an unaccredited institution with 324 students, old buildings, and life-threatening debt to a university fully accredited by every appropriate educational agency upon his retirement. The OCU enrollment reached 2,000 students. During his administration, indebtedness was eliminated, new academic programs implemented, and an endowment established. New campus buildings dot the Oakland City University campus. An ordained minister for over 60 years, Dr. Murray has lead churches in California and Illinois. He served in the United States Marine Corps and received three Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star for bravery. He has academic degrees from Shurleff College, Chapman University, Oakland City University, and Walden University. Both men will be awarded honorary Doctor of Laws degrees. Trustees also approved academic degrees for 1,500 students who are eligible to receive degrees at Commencement on Sunday, May 10 at Roberts Stadium. USI President H. Ray Hoops will deliver the Commencement address. He is planning to retire from USI at the end of the academic year in June 2009. President Hoops announced that Jamie Johnson of Newburgh, the student trustee on the USI Board of Trustees, will be receiving the President’s Medal at Commencement. The President’s Medal is the highest honor given to a graduating senior for academic work and service to the university. Johnson has excelled in the classroom, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average while majoring in chemistry. Last year she received the Barry M Goldwater national scholarship and has received the majority of the merit-based awards available to chemistry majors at USI. In addition to her work as a trustee, Johnson served on the Presidential Search Committee, which recommended candidates for the presidency of USI. She is active in student organizations serving as associate vice president of Academic Affairs for the Student Government Association and president of the Pre-Health Club. She has spent considerable time in community volunteer work and mentors younger students. A resident of Newburgh, she will continue her academic work at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the fall. Kathy Funke News and Information Services 812/465-7050 or kfunke@usi.edu |
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