Maastricht Mayor to be honored by University of Central Missouri
Two honorary degrees, the Distinguished Service Award, and the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, will be presented during 2008 spring commencement exercises at the University of Central Missouri.
More than 1,000 new graduates are eligible to participate in the ceremonies, beginning with the graduate commencement at 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, and followed by undergraduate ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10.
During the Saturday morning ceremony, the university will recognize Joseph Vandepopuliere, a UCM alumnus from Columbia, Mo., with the honorary degree, Doctor of Science.
It will also present the honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Gerardus Bernardus Maria Leers, Maastricht, the Netherlands. Presentations take place during the ceremony for new graduates of the Harmon College of Business Administration, College of Education, and College of Science and Technology.
Also during the morning ceremony, Maastricht residents Benoit and Bella Wesly will make a presentation of a silver medallion and chain to University President Aaron Podolefsky. The medallion bears the university’s crest, which was adopted during the 2007 fall semester.
The crest includes an image of the Maastricht Friendship Tower, a monument to international friendship and understanding, which is located near the president’s official residence on campus. The belltower was made possible by the Wesly family. The medallion was commissioned by the Weslys, and was created in Maastricht by Martin Faun.
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The honorary doctorate is bestowed upon individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and exemplary achievements within their fields of endeavor.
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Leers has served as mayor of Maastricht, the Netherlands, since 2002. In this capacity, he has shown great support for UCM and its involvement in the Maastricht Center for Transatlantic Studies. His office has helped many of the university’s students overcome obstacles that are common to international study, including receiving residence permits.
In addition to his position as mayor, he is the regional manager of the South Limburg Regional Police Force, chair of the executive and general management board of South Limburg’s Fire Brigade/Emergency Medical Services, and is an honorary member of the Council of Europe. His career achievements include a proactive campaign to curb drug trafficking in not only the Netherlands, but also in all of Europe.
Read full article: DigitalBURG, 6 May 2008
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