Apr 29, 2004 6 min read

CALIFORNIA – Two separate ceremonies will highlight California University of Pennsylvania’s 158th Commencement, which will take place in Hamer Hall’s gymnasium. A distinguished alumnus, Charles C. Keller, will deliver the keynote address at both services. He will give remarks to the graduates at both ceremonies and will receive the doctor of humane letters, honoris causa.

Cal U’s School of Graduate Studies and Research will hold its commencement ceremony on Friday, May 7, at 7 p.m. The ceremony will include the vesting of the academic hood of all of the graduates.

Commencement for undergraduates in the College of Education and Human Services, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Eberly College of Science and Technology will take place in Hamer Hall on Saturday, May 8, at 10 a.m.

President Angelo Armenti Jr. will greet the audiences and confer degrees on 792 students, which does not include those who will receive degrees in absentia. The breakdown of degrees of the May 2004 graduates is 186 (graduate), 239 (education and human services), 191 (liberal arts), and 176 (science and technology). A Fall Commencement was held in December for August and December 2003 graduates.

Presenting candidates at the May 8 undergraduate ceremony will be Dr. Curtis C. Smith, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Geraldine M. Jones, dean of the College of Education and Human Services; Dr. Richard Helldobler, dean of the College of Liberal Arts; Dr. Leonard Colelli, dean of the Eberly College of Science and Technology); and Dr. Joe D. Forrester, President, Community College of Beaver County.

Smith; Dr. Thomas G. Kinsey, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research; and Dr. Rose Reinhart, associate provost/registrar, will present candidates at the May 7 graduate commencement. The Rev. Cristen Decious, pastor, California United Methodist Church, will deliver the invocation and benediction while Brass Unlimited will perform the processional and recessional. Kathy Sacco is the organist and the University Choir, under the direction of Dr. Ellen Michael, will perform choral selections. Cal U’s Army ROTC will post the colors.

California University Television (CUTV) will broadcast both ceremonies live on Armstrong in California (channel 39, channel 61 Armstrong-Connellsville), Atlantic Broadband Communications (channel 21, formerly Charter Communications), and Comcast Mon Valley (channel 13). In case of an overflow crowd, there will be viewing areas at the Natali Student Center’s Performance Center.

A special area in Hamer Hall will be available for guests who are physically challenged. Personnel will be available at the elevator in Hamer Hall to assist guests to the designated area. As an alternative, those with special comfort requirements may wish to consider viewing the ceremony in the Performance Center.

For more information concerning commencement, contact Cathy Urban or Devon Markish at the Office of Academic Affairs at 724-938-4407.

Keller is senior counsel at the law firm of Peacock Keller & Ecker, LLP in Washington. Born in Goshen, Ind., he graduated from Cal U and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

In his profession, Keller served as president (1982-83) of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and as a member of its board of governors for six years. He received the Distinguished Service Award of the Washington County Bar Association in 1963 and had served as its president in 1965. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and of the American Bar Foundation. He is also a member of numerous professional bodies, including the American Judicature Society.

In his community, Keller has served as an officer and director of many civic and charitable organizations, including Boy Scouts, a regional hospital, the United Way, the Chamber of Commerce and a health systems agency. He has served in various statewide and governmental positions related to education and the law, and as a member of the Governor’s Commission on the Financing of Higher Education.

Keller served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring in 1972 as a judge advocate with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

A member of the Rotary Club of California since 1950, Keller is a past president of the club. He has served Rotary International as district governor, committee chairman, director, twice as chairman of the council on legislation, and president in 1987-88. A trustee of the Rotary Foundation from 1988-94, he served as its chairman in 1992-93.

He now serves as chairman of Rotary International Centennial History Committee and the PolioPlus Partners Task Force. He is a member of the Leadership of the Permanent Fund Initiative.

Keller’s ties to Cal U are lifelong. He started at then-called California State Teacher’s College (CSTS) in 1941 and after three years of military service in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a pilot, graduated with highest honors and received his bachelor of science in education in 1947. He majored in English and social science.

During his collegiate days, he participated in varsity tennis, basketball and debate. He was editor of the student newspaper “Hammer and Tongs,” member of Student Congress, Student Cabinet, the Men’s Glee Club and Mixed Chorus, and two honorary fraternities, Phi Sigma Pi and Pi Gamma Mu. At graduation, he received the college’s Distinguished Service Award.

After completing law school, Keller returned to Washington County and engaged in CSTC activities. He served on the Alumni Association Board and edited the “Alumni Bulletin” for 20 years. He and his first wife, the late Mary Lou, co-chaired the first California Homecoming Day, and he serves as alumni president from 1972-74. He has received numerous university awards and honors, including the Alumni Association’s Illustrious Californian Award and the Jackman Award of Distinction.

He organized and chaired the Association of State Colleges and Universities, a consortium of the state organizations of alumni, faculty, students, trustees and presidents, which resulted in the separation of those institutions from the Department of Education by Act 14 in 1961. This in turn led to the creation of the State System of Higher Education.

Keller continues to serve and be an integral alumnus at Cal U today. For more than 50 years, he has been legal counsel to the Student Association Inc. He is a trustee of the Foundation for California University and chaired its successful $13 million capital campaign fund in 1998. He also serves on the Cal U Hall of Fame Selection Committee. In 2001, Keller received The Job Johnson Award from the Foundation. This award is presented to a Cal U graduate who has achieved recognition outside of the university in the individual’s chosen field, for excellence or innovation in that field, outstanding community service or for any other notable achievement.

Keller’s father, the late Dr. I.C. Keller, was chairman of Cal’s English Department from 1924 to 1952. Both of Keller’s sons, Jeffrey and Gregory, attended Cal U. In addition, he has two daughters, Candy Lou Clement and Robin Dehainout.

Keller resides in California with his wife, Carol.