Harlaxton Principal, Dr. J. Gordon Kingsley, to speak at Commencement

Dr. Kingsley has been Principal of Harlaxton College, "the British Campus of the University of Evansville, since January, 2003. He formerly served twenty-seven years at William Jewell College in greater Kansas City as professor, dean, and for thirteen years as president. In the latter role he was selected, in a nationwide study of college presidents funded by the Exxon Foundation, as among the 5% of America's "most effective" collegiate leaders.

His earlier teaching was at Mississippi College, Tulane University, and the University of Louisville. He has also worked as Deputy Director of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and as Vice President of a major hospital organization, Health Midwest, both located in Kansas City.

The author of four books and some one hundred articles and reviews, he holds doctorates - earned and honorary - from three institutions, in America and Japan. He has been a visiting fellow at Cambridge University in England.

Dr. Kingsley has chaired boards of the Missouri Repertory Theatre and the Kansas City Art Institute and has served boards of the national Council of Independent Colleges as well as the Kansas City Symphony, the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, the University Academy, the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Pembroke Hill School, and the Independent Review Panel of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. In England he is on the board of the King's School Charities, which oversees the Isaac Newton Trust.

He and his wife Suzanne enjoy reading, travel, theatre, and sports, both being "recovering marathon runners."

Plenty of seating is available for family and friends to attend Commencement and Baccalaureate. 

The Baccalaureate Service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time on Saturday, May 10, 2008 in Neu Chapel on the University campus. Our own University chaplain, Rev. S. Brian Erickson, will deliver the message to the graduates and their families.

Commencement ceremonies will begin at 1:30 p.m. in Roberts Municipal Stadium, located at 2600 Division Street in Evansville.

Graduates, their families, and friends are invited to a reception in Krannert Gallery immediately following the Baccalaureate service. 

Please refer to our campus map for the location of Neu Chapel (#27) and parking. Event parking will be available at any campus lot. Parking lots N and A are closest to Neu Chapel.