May 2—Northwestern announces its spring 2011 Commencement speaker, Donna Harris, Ed.D., president of Minnehaha Academy, a premier private, Christian school serving pre-school through high school students in Minnesota. She also holds a ministerial license with the Northwest Conference of The Evangelical Covenant Church and serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for North Park University (IL).

Her career has included such achievements as becoming a master teacher of math for 11 years, gaining extraordinary proficiency in educational technology, serving as director of curriculum and instruction at Valley Christian Schools in the San Francisco Bay Area for eight years, twice receiving Intel Corporation’s prestigious Innovation in Teaching Award, and being named as the assistant superintendent and chief academic officer of Valley Christian Schools. At the same time, she served as the children’s pastor and a worship leader at South Bay Community Church.

After serving for two years as a missionary in South American prisons and churches, she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education from San Jose State University, and credentialed as a bilingual teacher in California and as an administrator by the Association of Christian Schools International. She received her doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco.

Harris and her husband, Rick, have been married for 30 years and have five adult children. She has amazing energy, a deep Christian faith and a strong commitment to Christian education.

Northwestern College commencement ceremonies take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Additional information about the ceremonies is available online.