Staff report

THOMASVILLE — More than 150 graduates participated in Thomas University’s 52nd Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 5, at the Thomasville Municipal Auditorium.

Dr. Gary Bonvillian presided over his first TU graduation ceremony since becoming president of the university last year. He introduced speaker Sheila McNeill, past national president of the United States Navy League, and the first female to serve as president of that organization.

McNeill, a Georgia native, congratulated the graduates for their accomplishments, and the families who support them. She encouraged the graduates to further their education and careers, and to “always give more than is asked of you,” she said.

“Today, you embark on a new journey. The decisions you make from this moment will determine your destination,” McNeill said.

In her role as Navy League president, McNeill traveled the world, visiting several foreign countries and heads of state. For years, she represented the U.S. in visits to Japan, Spain, Bosnia, and other nations vital to world diplomacy.

During a visit to the de-militarized zone between North and South Korea – where members of the same family are often on opposing sides – she further realized a need for the U.S. to help make peace with other countries.

“Our military continues to play a key role in preserving the peace in North and South Korea,” McNeill said. “The strongest opinion I came away with during my overseas trip is the need to nourish and cultivate our partnerships with other countries and for our military personnel, throughout the world, to work as ambassadors for peace.”

For 17 years, McNeill worked for a Fortune 500 company, climbing her way up the ladder — only to be turned down for a top administrative position because she was a woman. After resigning, she sued the company for sex discrimination, and won.

You can’t let something like that happen, not just because you are a woman,” she said. “It was a painful three-day trial, but it ultimately revealed the president of the company for his prejudices.”

McNeill went on to become a member of the governor’s statewide Military Affairs Coordinating Committee, and was commissioning president of the St. Mary’s Submarine Museum and Charter Chairman of the Military Community Council — organizations she continues to serve today.

She left the graduates with a message of hope. “Life is measured not by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away,” she said.

McNeill has been named one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine. She is married to Arlie McNeill, a Navy veteran and long-time Navy League member and national director emeritus.  They have one daughter, Leslie, and two grandchildren.

Dr. Susan Fowler, assistant professor of Social Work, was named TU’s Professor of the Year at the ceremony. Fowler was selected by her peers and fellow faculty members for this honor. Bonvillian said announcing TU’s Professor of the Year at graduation — which happened for the first time Saturday — will become a tradition for the university.