Morningside College will confer approximately 370 Master of Arts in Teaching degrees and 20 Master of Science in Nursing degrees at its graduate commencement ceremony June 10 at 2 p.m. in Eppley Auditorium.

Morningside College will confer approximately 370 Master of Arts in Teaching degrees and 20 Master of Science in Nursing degrees at its graduate commencement ceremony June 10 at 2 p.m. in Eppley Auditorium.

Owens

Morningside also will award an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to Dr. Richard T. Owens, professor emeritus of education at Morningside College. The honorary degree recognizes Owens for his many years of service and leadership in the education profession and his dedication to meeting the needs of special education students.    

Jonathan Markus of Waukee, Iowa, a sixth grade science teacher at Adel DeSoto Minburn Middle School in Adel, Iowa, will receive the Tevis Award. The award recognizes the outstanding research efforts of a Morningside graduate education student. Markus’ research findings suggest that animal-assisted therapy successfully reduces test anxiety for sixth grade students.

Jennifer Watkins of Bettendorf, Iowa, a literacy coach at Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Bettendorf, will receive the Owens Master’s Award for Professional Service. The award recognizes a Morningside graduate education student who demonstrates exemplary professional service and leadership within their school, organization or community. Watkins helps direct her building’s before and after school programs, works with a community outreach coordinator to assist students and their families who live in poverty, and involves community members in student programs such as a pen pal partnership, a reading buddy program and a math league.