Winter commencement ceremony for Quincy University to be held Saturday

QUINCY — Quincy University will host its winter commencement ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, in St. Francis Solanus Chapel in Francis Hall, 1800 College Ave. The winter graduating class is comprised of 46 undergraduates and five graduate degree recipients.

University marshal Robert Mejer, distinguished professor of art, and assistant marshals David Kirchhofer and Scott Luaders, professors of physics and chemistry, will lead the procession. Sarah Vordtriede-Patton, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will convene the ceremony. Rev. John Doctor, vice president for mission and ministry, will deliver the invocation and benediction.

President Brian McGee will give closing remarks. QU students, Adam Liesen, Julia Liesen, Alaric Mefford, Crystal Middendorf, Jesse Mose, Kyia Obert, Austin Wood and Sophia Zanger will perform the National Anthem and the Quincy University Alma Mater. Phil Conover, president emeritus, will deliver the commencement address.

Conover served as the university’s 23rd president from 2017-2019 and has served the university as a volunteer, trustee, interim athletic director and chief operating officer. Conover was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters in 2019.

Conover graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling. He taught history at Quincy High School and coached at several local high schools during his career. Conover became the basketball coach at Quincy Notre Dame in 1973 and later was dean of students and assistant principal. He joined Blunt Ellis and Loewi as a financial advisor in 1978 and eventually retired from Wachovia Securities.

Conover served as a member and vice-chair of Quincy University’s Board of Trustees and as interim vice president of instruction for John Wood Community College. He was interim president of the Great River Economic Development Foundation. Conover served as chair of Quincy University’s Annual Fund with his brother Joe in 2004. He has served the Quincy community as a board member of John Wood Community College, GREDF, Quincy Notre Dame High School and Blessing Hospital.

Conover was the 2015 recipient of the Quincy Exchange Club’s 63rd Golden Deeds Award, an honor that signifies selfless commitment and tireless work on behalf of the community. He also was the 2020 recipient of the United Way Joe Bonansinga Community Service Award. Conover was given the honor of Affiliation to the Franciscan Friars Province of the Sacred Heart in 2019.

The ceremony will be live-streamed at https://youtube.com/live/ONR7YsJ2jVE?feature=share