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April 27, 2005
Morningside College President John Reynders announced today that Cy W. Chesterman, chief executive officer (CEO) of Chesterman Company, Sioux City, and Mark Schnaible, associate professor of voice at Boston University, will be the featured speakers at the college’s 107th spring commencement exercises to be held Saturday, May 7, at 2 p.m. on the campus lawn in front of the Hickman-Johnson-Furrow Library Center.
The college will present a honorary Doctor of Laws degree to Chesterman and a honorary Doctor of Music degree to Schnaible, in honor of their commitment to their respective fields, in which they have exemplified life-long learning, civic responsibility, and ethical leadership, the tenets of Morningside’s mission.
 Chesterman is a life-long resident of Sioux City. His company was established in 1872 in Dyersville, Iowa. He has served on the The Siouxland Initiative (TSI) Executive Committee since its inception and is past chair of TSI. He also was co-chair of the Orpheum Theatre Preservation Project.He served on the Morningside College Board of Directors from 1990 to 2000 and was chair of the board from 1999 to 2000.
He is a 1971 graduate of Morningside College, and his wife, Karen Chesterman, and his sons, Cy W. Chesterman, Jr., and Jay B. Chesterman, are also graduates of Morningside.
Schnaible is associate professor of voice at Boston University and maintains a private voice studio in New York City. With more than 50 opera roles to his credit, he has performed in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Israel, and France, as well as the United States. For  many seasons, he was the principal bass-baritone at the Theater Luebeck in Luebeck, Germany.
His most recent engagements have included performances of the Messiah and The Creation with the Jerusalem Symphony, Scarpia with Shreveport Opera, and the title role of Giulio Cesare with the Utah Opera.
Schnaible is a 1985 graduate of Morningside College. He earned his master’s degree in music from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and has continued studies in the field of performance from the Central City Opera House Association, The Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Program, the Zurich Opera House, International Opera Studio, and the prestigious Israel Arts Vocal Institute. He has been a prize winner in numerous competitions, including The Marseille International Opera Competition, The Quest for Don Giovanni Competition, and others.
While on campus, Schnaible will serve as adjudicator for the annual Elizabeth Sammons Voice Scholarship Competition, to be held Friday, May 6, as well as conducting a master class for the participants.
Activities in honor of Morningside College graduates will begin with a gathering at Bob Roe’s Point After, 2320 Transit Avenue, Wednesday evening, May 4. The Senior Rehearsal Luncheon will take place at 1 p.m., Thursday, May 5, in the Main Dining Room of the Olsen Student Center on campus. These events are open to graduating seniors only.
The Baccalaureate Service will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., Friday, May 6, at Grace United Methodist Church, 1735 Morningside Avenue. Following the service, the Senior Celebration Dinner will be held at the Marina Inn in South Sioux City, Neb.
Academic departmental receptions will be held Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m. across the campus. Following the afternoon commencement exercises, a congratulatory gathering for graduates and their guests will be held on the college “M,” in front of Roadman Hall.
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