Spalding University confers degrees and honorary doctorates

Record Staff Report
Spalding University awarded 581 degrees — 246 undergraduate and 335 graduate — at the school’s commencement June 4 at Canaan Christian Church.

Spalding’s Board of Trustees also awarded the university’s highest award and presented three honorary degrees.

Sister of Charity of Nazareth Susan Gatz received the Caritas Medal alumni award — the highest award given by the university.

Sister Gatz serves as the president of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Spalding in 1970.

The Caritas Medal is presented to “an alumna or alumnus who, within her or his community or on a national or international level, has made a significant contribution to the field and who lives out the university’s mission,” a news release from the school said.

The term “Caritas” comes from “Caritas Christi Urget Nos” (The Charity of Christ Urges Us), which is the motto of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, who founded Spalding.

Three individuals also received honorary degrees. The recipients “exemplify service, philanthropy, leadership and a dedication to the greater good,” the release said.

They are: Ruth E. Williams-Brinkley, senior vice president of operations at Catholic Health Initiatives and president/CEO of KentuckyOne Health, received an honorary doctor of science degree.

Col. Ishmon F. Burks, U.S. Army retiree, former executive vice president and COO of Spalding University and the first African American Kentucky State Police Commissioner, received an honorary doctor of human letters degree.

Walter Randolph Coe II, children’s advocate and president of Kosair Charities, received an honorary doctor of public service degree.

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