‘Pursue the Impossible Dream,’ Shafer tells USAO Grads

So intertwined is her life with the college that her memoir about this institution is subtitled, “A Love Story.” Sharing pieces of her life, global travels and passion for teaching, Dr. Ingrid Shafer recounted her personal and professional journey during the spring commencement ceremony at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma on Friday night.

Shafer concluded a 41-year career at USAO as she addressed 142 graduating seniors and their families at the ceremony April 17. Shafer retires as professor of philosophy and religion and Mary Jo Ragan Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies.

More than 1,500 people attended Friday night’s commencement in two ceremonies at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma -- the second time a two-ceremony schedule has been used to alleviate overcrowding in Te Ata Memorial Auditorium.

"I was born on August 3, 1939, a tiny, seven-month preemie,” Shafer began. “The attending physician informed my parents that I would surely be mentally defective and it was not in the spirit of National Socialism that such children should live. He had me moved into a storage room to die, authorizing no feedings. It took my father two days to get the doctor's order rescinded. But I refused to die. I stayed in the hospital for several months. According to my mother, by the time I was a year old I was talking in sentences. I haven't stopped since."

Around the age of 8, Shafer discovered something she would never get over. Magazine images of Nazi death camps horrified her. Such widespread and orchestrated slaughter was inconceivable.

"I couldn't understand why people would allow others to be tortured and slaughtered to protect themselves. Since I could do nothing about the past, I promised myself that I would do my best to fight against hatred, cruelty and injustice wherever I found it," she said.

Shafer came to the United States in 1960 to do research in California. "On the way home I stopped to visit friends in Oklahoma. A ride to the OU Library turned into a date and the date turned into a husband." Shafer came to USAO (then OCLA) in 1968.

“I chose OCLA because it was a small liberal arts college and I could be part of developing and implementing the new core program and especially a series of interdisciplinary, team-taught courses dealing with a global history of ideas from human beginnings to present – the courses now known as the World Thought and Culture sequence.” Five years later, Shafer said things changed at the college.

“Five years later our college president was asked to resign and, in 1973, his successor fired three administrators plus 11 faculty members – including me – in an attempt to reverse the course of this bold experiment in Oklahoma higher education.” After several lawsuits and a change in leadership, the dismissed faculty members were invited to return to OCLA.

“When President Roy Troutt came on board, he found himself captain of what appeared a rapidly sinking ship. The North Central Association had put OCLA on public probation; there wasn’t sufficient funding even for basic necessities; the team-taught interdisciplinary core program seemed moribund; the student body had mutated into an unstable mixture of veterans, part-time evening school adults, the academically troubled and increasing numbers of international students. But the school refused to die.

“Slowly, trimester by trimester, conditions improved. By the early 1990s, our kind of program was widely publicized as a model to alleviate the crises in higher education across the nation.” Shafer said that her life, after several tragedies and setbacks, emerged from the ashes as well. She completed her doctorial degree on August 3, 1984 – her 45th birthday.

Although she has been involved in so many activities during her professional career, Shafer said that USAO has always been her home base.

“Ultimately, I still see myself primarily as a part of USAO. This is my home base – a place I cannot imagine leaving for more than a few weeks at a time. Back in 1968, I fell in love with the idea of the college I was called to develop. Now, 41 years later, I am still in love with ‘my’ school and still excited about our mission and the classes I have been privileged to teach for more than four decades.

“After this term, I myself will be one of the voices of the past, but I hope a voice that continues to remind those who cannot hear that it is not folly to pursue the impossible dream and that love is stronger than death.”

Shafer retires this month from the USAO faculty. She has devoted virtually her entire professional academic career to the development and refinement of USAO's interdisciplinary program. She has several books published and is working on at least four more books. She moderates eight Internet discussion groups and is the creator/artist/editor of 25 different websites. In addition, she has participated in countless papers, panels, seminars, lectures and poetry readings in the United States and 11 other countries.

Shafer received the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in College/University Teaching in 2002. In 2001, she received the Star Award in Recognition of Meritorious Work to Promote Peace and Harmony from The Association for Communal Harmony in Asia. She received USAO Regents Research Awards in 2000 and 1991 and received the USAO Regent's Superior Teaching Award in 1981.

Presiding over the ceremony was Dr. John Feaver, president of the college. “With your degree and the abilities that the degree represents, I urge you to improve the quality of life of the people in your community. I urge you to improve the lives of those in the many communities you will encounter in your journey.”

Dr. Darryel Reigh, professor of chemistry and president of the USAO Faculty Association, presented the graduating class members. “Thanks to the dedication of their faculty mentors, the constant effort of a talented staff and most of all their own substantial labors, these students have persevered in their studies and are now ready for baccalaureate degrees. They have demonstrated to the faculty the hallmarks of educated people,” Reigh said.

Shawnee resident Judy Ford, president of the USAO Alumni Association, presented the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Graduate Award to Ellen Fitzwater of Ninnekah.

Fitzwater graduated with a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education with a 4.0 grade point average. She recently was the only student in the nation to participate as a panelist during a session about the NEA Student Program during the American Association of Colleges in Teacher Education Conference in Chicago.

She was named a DaVinci/Martin Scholar by the DaVinci Institute of Oklahoma in March. The Martin/DaVinci Scholar is awarded to pre-service teachers whose academic accomplishments and service to their university are deemed most notable. The recipients of this honor receive a $1,000 award.

While at USAO, she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society -- serving as president and treasurer. Fitzwater also was the treasurer and a member of the USAO Student National Education Association. She was a member of the USAO honor society, Hypatia, was named several times to the USAO and Regents Honor Rolls and was a National Scholars Honor Society member. Fitzwater was named to Who's Who Among American College Students in March.

Fitzwater assisted with Books for Tots, Read Across America and USAO's Droverstock. In addition to her college activities, she serves as a church pianist, Sunday school teacher, Wednesday night teacher and has other responsibilities with her church in Naples, Oklahoma.

"She is a nontraditional student in that she is married, requiring balancing a family, school, church and community responsibilities," said Dr. Jeanne Mather, professor of education, in her nomination of Fitzwater. "Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting her children and husband knows that she takes her family responsibilies very seriously.

"Ellen has been active in virtually every aspect of the Books for Tots program. She and her husband were two of the handful of volunteers who helped distribute the books in 2007 during the ice storm that left us with no heat or electricity in the building.

"She is the kind of student who is, and will continue to be in the future, an outstanding representative of USAO and its mission. She exemplifies a well rounded individual who sets high goals for herself, knows the importance of service and works tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of others," Mather said.

Six seniors received outstanding graduate awards by the USAO Faculty Association for academic divisions. Lawton English major Sarah Elizabeth Powers received distinction from the Division of Arts and Humanities. Tuttle English major Melody Verla Joyce Dobbins was named the outstanding graduate for the Division of Business and Social Science. Robin Marie Bohot, a speech language pathology major from Comanche, and Ellen LeAnn Fitzwater, an early childhood education major from Ninnekah, were distinguished by the Division of Education and Speech Language Pathology. Cara Elizabeth Boruty, a chemistry major from Midwest City, and Gayle Ellen Eggleston, a physics major from Edmond, were named the outstanding graduates for the Division of Science and Physical Education.

The evening ceremony began with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” processional performed by Dr. Stephen Weber, associate professor of music. Graduating music major Elizabeth Sellers of Tulsa performed “If I Ain't Got You” by Alicia Keys.

Joining Feaver, Shafer, Ford and Reigh on the stage were USAO Regent Patti LaForge Rogstad of Chickasha and Regent Leslie Hudson of Oklahoma City.

Weber, Dr. Ken Bohannon, associate professor of music, and Dr. Jan Hanson, professor of music, led graduates and guests in singing “The College Hymn.” Dr. Dan Hanson, professor of music, performed the recessional, “You'll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins.

Copies of the ceremony will be available on DVD for $15 in the USAO Media and Community Relations office or by phone at (405) 574-1318.

Feaver issued 101 bachelor of science degrees, 34 bachelor of arts degrees and seven bachelor of fine arts degrees.

Receiving bachelor of science degrees were:

Alex -- Nicole Daniel Bauman, Roy Eugene Ramsey

Altus -- Ashley Marie Hyde, Daniel Christopher Mellor

Anadarko -- Nancy Nunez

Blanchard -- Susan Michelle Butler, Michelle Alicia Camp, Kayla Jill Cooper, Tara Deon Howe, Maegan Nicole Minton, Thomas Larry Thompson, Lacey Georgia Wade, Rochelle Marie Wood

Cache -- Sunny Gayle Wiginton

Carnegie -- Misty Dawn Boettger

Chickasha -- Heather Leighanne Adams, Dale Aaron Bellamy, Joshua Allan Brummett, Robert Burton Clark, Morgan Deanne Cook, Andrew Gene Duffle, Ashlie Danyel Henderson, Rori Virginia Hodges, Marcus Paul Hughes, Nicholas Allen Lovell, Addam Leon Orsburn, Joseph Franklin Osborn, Daniel Alan Phelps, Glendy Reed, Dickinya Laree Roberts, Jeremy Don Williams,

Comanche -- Robin Marie Bohot

Duncan -- Stephanie Lauryn Green, Adam Mark Shoffit

Edmond -- Gayle Ellen Eggleston, Morgan Lee Jones

Elgin -- Jennifer Lynne Blocker

Grove -- Eryn Elizabeth Bass

Harrah -- David Neil Smith

Hydro -- Dalton Kent House Lawton -- Tiffany Rachel Ward

Lexington -- Marissa Denaye Amaon Hoofard

Lindsay -- Elizabeth Kathryn Brakefield, Kristi Lynn Bray, Mandi Kail Beam, Stephanie Michelle Thomas

Mangum -- Abigail Lee Bull

Midwest City -- Cara Elizabeth Boruty, Kartesha Anntenique Jefferson

Moore -- Sarah Beth Haffner, Brent Alan Reynolds

Mustang -- Sarah Marie Chalfant

Newcastle -- Megan Elizabeth Mascorro

Ninnekah -- Margo Yvonne Calhoun, Ellen LeAnn Fitzwater, Frances Ann Reed

Noble -- Stephanie Kyle Cambell

Norman -- Jeana Kay Riley, Caitlyn Mackenzie Crotty

Oklahoma City -- Daniel E. Burroughs, Penny Lynn Clement, Daniel Myles DeSpain, Felice Cheri Flowers, Joshua Michael Guthier, Cody Grant Henning, Ashley Nichole Kurtz, Leigh Ann Merchant, Lindsey Ann Merchant, Robert Kevin Sebastian

Pocasset -- Callie Mikyla Castor

Purcell -- Leslie L. Beaty, Joseph William Lee, Marylin Mashell Pratt

Rush Springs -- Mary G. Cagle, Kari Kathleen Garner

Tuttle -- Melody Verla Joyce Dobbins, Amber Dawn Meyer, Camdyn Ronda Roberts, Melinda Sue Shook, Jennifer Michelle Swanson

Yukon -- Helen Joyce Doctorman, Veronica K. Miller

Out of State:

Amarillo, Texas -- Alexander James Schenck

Arlington, Texas -- Matthew Daniel Sopic

Bossier City, La. -- Quincy O. Metcalf

Brooklyn, N.Y. -- Terry Antonio Adamson

Buena Park, Calif. -- Charles Anthony Jimmerson

Copperas Cove, Texas -- Brian Yuuji Blum

Longview, Texas -- Meagan Ranee Andrews, Sheldon Ryan Stoker

Missouri City, Texas -- Jamaal Ali McCoy

New Orleans, La. -- Thomas James Wood

Atlanta, Ga. -- Erin Connell McPhee

Phoenix, Ariz. -- Louie Miguel Romero

Out of Country:

Alberta, Canada -- Dallas William Roy Latter

Ampang, Malaysia -- Wei Chan Lee

Bogata, Columbia -- Danny Alexander Rodriguez

Nassau, Bahamas -- Sasha Latoya LaShae' Ferguson

Nottingham, England -- Pinder Philip Nijjar

San Paulo, Brazil -- Amanda Rodrigues Caldeira

San Paulo, Spain -- Rafael A. Lima Orsi

Receiving bachelor of arts degrees were:

Anadarko -- Jana Cheyenne Bruer, Martha Rose McCurdy, Jessica Lea Moore

Blanchard -- Carson Douglas Jobe

Cement -- Shaun Michael Ladymon

Chickasha -- Kristin Jo Davis, Christina Renee Flatt, Randi Michele Jenkins, Linda Dale Organ, Joshua Andrew Strutton, Daniel Lee Wood

Dewar -- Jesse Clinton Stiver

Duncan -- Charles Wayne Bardsher, Chaz Allen Horton

Edmond -- Jeremy E. Stevens

Jones -- Carlena June Murray

Lawton -- Sarah Elizabeth Powers

Lindsay -- Tania Lynn Wren

Minco -- Sheila Yvonne Sarah Berman

Ninnekah -- James Michael Friend, Janet Lyn White

Noble -- Katrina Louise Reed

Norman -- Michael Keith DeFord, Tosha Michelle Luman

Okarche -- Deborah Sue Hogue

Oklahoma City -- Daniel Myles DeSpain

Oologah -- William Casey Wright

Piedmont -- Laura Ann Venable

Purcell -- Stephanie Ann McGregor

Shawnee -- Danielle Racine Luna

Tulsa -- Zane'a Lynnette Handley McLoughlin, Elizabeth Ann Sellers

Tuttle -- Kathy D. Prosser

Out of state:

Gardena, Calif. -- Allen Richard Lee Harris III

Receiving bachelor of fine arts degrees were:

Chickasha -- Tina Micheala Dymond

Harrah -- Tierney Renee Rasch

Oklahoma City -- Jeremy David Teel

Sapulpa -- Miguel Thomas Herrera

Tulsa -- James Earl Greenlee II

Waurika -- Shannon Michelle Smith

Out of state:

Burke, Va. -- Mallory Paige Edwards