Commencement Speaker

Dr. Arthur Serianz, a faculty member at St. Ambrose since 1975, will give the 2012 Winter Commencement address on Saturday, Dec. 15.

Serianz currently is serving his fifth term as chairman of the St. Ambrose Chemistry Department and has served the university in numerous other administrative capacities, including nine years as chair of the strategic planning committee; four as a co-chair of the institutional self-study committee; and the past two as a member of the advisory board to assist in the creation of the Master of Physician Assistant program. He also has been an active participant in university fund-raising and grant writing.

Serianz has been recognized for excellence in teaching on multiple occasions throughout his St. Ambrose career, both by students and his peers. He has authored or co-authored seven published papers in the field of chemistry and made numerous presentations.

Serianz earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1968 and his doctoral degree in organic and analytical chemistry from the University of Iowa in 1972.

Serianz is married to St. Ambrose Professor of Education Rachel Serianz, PhD, and has served in numerous volunteer roles in the community, including as president of the board of education at Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Davenport.