On Friday, the Graduate College at Iowa State will honor students completing their terms of study at the university with a commencement ceremony and special address given by Sedahlia Crase, professor of human development and family studies and former Faculty Senate president.

Crase was contacted in early April by Dave Holger, associate provost for academic programs and Dean of the Graduate College, and invited to give the commencement ceremony address.

“I received an e-mail from Dave on April 2 and thought it was a late April Fool’s joke.” Crase said. “I was honestly blown away when I realized I was being asked to speak at the graduate commencement ceremony.”

A native of Kentucky, Crase received her bachelor’s degree in 1967 from Berea College in Berea, Ky., then completed her master’s degree at the University of Kentucky in 1969. Her interest areas were in human development and family relations, but her interest in research brought Crase to Iowa State, where she earned her Ph.D. in 1972. Her current research topics include parenting, parent-child relationships, giftedness in young students, foster care and adoption training evaluation. Being chosen to present the address at the 2008 graduation commencement ceremony is one of the most thrilling opportunities she has received.

“My goal would be to have at least 50 percent of the audience walk away remembering one thing, and I hope that thing touches them deeply,” Crase said.

She described the process of writing the speech and voiced her excitement and honor over such a special assignment.

“My first task was to find a title for the speech so it could be released to the public,” Crase said. “That was the hardest part because I usually like to write the content first and then find a title.”

The focus of Crase’s presentation will be the future.

She talked to several of her graduate students in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies to gain insight and ideas.

“I appreciated the input from my students and have some ideas and imagery to use in my address that I hope will be inspiring to the audience,” Crase said. “I know it is a time of tension and excitement and people want to hear a short, meaningful speech and then move on to celebrate their graduation.”

The Graduate Commencement Ceremony will be held Friday at 8 p.m.