WWU gears up for commencement with Val Kilmer

4/30/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

The campus of William Woods University is a buzz with activity in preparation for this year's undergraduate commencement speaker, Val Kilmer.
 
Kilmer will address the graduates on May 5, but is spending the preceding week at WWU, meeting with various groups and performing his one-man play, "Citizen Twain," on Tuesday evening.
 
One of the most prolific actors of his generation, Kilmer's memorable roles include Batman in "Batman Forever," Jim Morrison in Oliver Stone's "The Doors," Doc Holliday in "Tombstone" and Simon Templar in "The Saint."
 
Graduate students will hear from Ken Lyle, chief financial officer for Fulton State Hospital and an adjunct faculty member for WWU.
 
A total of 235 students will receive diplomas. With another ceremony in December, the combined number of WWU graduates since last May is 867.
 
William Woods will grant four associate of arts, 25 bachelor of arts, 126 bachelor of science, two bachelor of fine arts and nine bachelor of social work degrees. WWU will award one master of business administration (MBA), 52 master of education (M.Ed.) and 16 educational specialist (Ed.S.) degrees.
 
WWU will hold two commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 5"”one for traditional undergraduates at 10 a.m. and one for undergraduates and graduate students in the evening program at 3 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held in Cutlip Auditorium of the McNutt Campus Center.
 
Prior to the undergraduate commencement, William Woods will hold its traditional Ivy Chain Ceremony at 9:15 a.m. around Senior Lake.
                                                           
Lyle, the afternoon speaker, has served most of his career within Missouri's Department of Mental Health. 
 
Working in Jefferson City, he was a state-level planner, establishing plans for hospital capacity, forensic services and specialized children's services. He also designed a statewide Medicaid program tailored to serve the needs of the severely mentally ill in Missouri.
 
Since 1992, he has served as the chief financial officer for Fulton State Hospital, the department's flagship facility. 
 
He also has served as an adjunct faculty for William Woods University's master of business administration program for 15 years. Lyle teaches MBA classes in leadership, organizational behavior, managerial ethics, entrepreneurialship, health care emphasis courses and the Capstone courses.
 
Graduating from William Jewell College of Liberty, Missouri, with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and psychology, he went on to earn master's degrees in counseling psychology and public administration from the University of Missouri.  
 
Lyle has served 10-plus years as team leader, overseer and judge for the prestigious Missouri Quality Award.  He has received national awards for his contributions to innovative practices in procurement of food, pharmaceuticals and computer equipment that saved many millions of dollars for Missouri taxpayers.