Meet Our Winter 2018 Graduates

Two hundred and sixty students were conferred graduate and undergraduate degrees Dec. 15 during the St. Ambrose University 2018 Winter Commencement Ceremony, including the first class of graduates from the Master of Exercise Physiology program.

Each graduate who crossed the stage at the RiverCenter in Davenport carried an exceptional academic foundation and deep pride, knowing they relentlessly pursued, embraced and achieved their personal and professional goals.

Learn more about some of our remarkable graduates and the path they followed to St. Ambrose, and the future that lies ahead.

Amber Brackey: Two Degrees in Three Years

Reina Glandon: Beating the Odds 

Will Markes and Megan Wickett: SAU Degrees Follow Marriage 

Max Tefo: 'Whispers' Led Him to a DPT

Joo Hee Kim and Sangita Thapa: Challenges, Support and Success

Jake Hirst: MSEP Paves Way to Job as Yankees Hitting Instructor

Danielle Hawkes: Finding Your Voice

Kirk Kelley, PhD, a 28-year member of the St. Ambrose University faculty, was the commencement speaker.

Kelley is a professor and former chair of the St. Ambrose Biology Department. He was named the Graduate Student Government Association's Advisory Professor of the Year in 2001 and is a three-time nominee for Student Government Association Professor of the Year.

He has served the university in many capacities including multiple terms as a member of the Board of Studies and three terms as board chair.

Kelley received a Bachelor of Science in Biology Education from Kansas State University in 1981, taught high school science for a few years and then earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Anatomy from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1991. Additionally, in 2003, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in French from SAU.