DWU Graduation Speaker Announced
Rapid City advocate, Bush fellow to speak at DWU Baccalaureate/Commencement
MITCHELL – Malcom “Chap” Chapman, a well-known business and organizational consultant and facilitator, will be the keynote speaker at the Dakota Wesleyan University combined Baccalaureate/Commencement on Sunday, May 9, at the Corn Palace at 1:00 p.m. Admission is limited and those attending in person must have a ticket to enter.
Chapman founded the Chapman Group, an organizational communications-consulting firm that offers retreat facilitation, strategic planning, coaching, seminars, and keynote addresses to organizations and businesses. He is a former U.S. Marine Corp officer and served three terms as councilman for the City of Rapid City.
Recently Chapman accepted a position with the City of Rapid City as coordinator for the Human Relations Commission - Mniluzahan Okolakiciyapi Ambassadors (MOA), a public/private partnership between the city and the MOA working to improve broken community relationships.
Chapman holds a master’s degree in public administration and was awarded the 2008 South Dakota Municipal League Excellence in Municipal Government Award. He was selected as a 2015-2017 Bush Fellow around his work in community leadership and capacity building.
This year three honorary degrees will be conferred. Former DWU professor and vice-president for academic affairs Dr. Lesta V. Turchen of Hill City will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters, as will Sam F. Weller of Mitchell (posthumously). South Dakota artist laureate Dale Lamphere of Sturgis will be presented with an honorary doctorate of fine arts.
COVID-19 protocols will be in place during the ceremony. Face coverings will be required at all times. The ceremony will be livestreamed for anyone to watch at www.dwu.edu/live.
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About DWU
DWU is a private, liberal arts university associated with the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church, that is rooted in four values: lifelong learning, leadership development, faith exploration and genuine service to others. For more information about Dakota Wesleyan University, go to www.dwu.edu.
