Wartburg College will bestow diplomas on 36 graduates during midyear Baccalaureate and Commencement Sunday, Dec. 15.

Dr. Philip Geier, co-founder of the Davis United World Colleges program, which helps 2,400 international students annually (including 62 now at Wartburg) get an education at U.S. colleges and universities, will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters during the ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in the Wartburg Chapel. A reception will follow in the lobby of Bachman Fine Arts Center.

In addition, another 14 students also are expected to graduate in December. 

The graduates will receive the following degrees — 46 Bachelor of Arts, three Bachelor of Music Education and one Bachelor of Music. Thirty-four of the students are from Iowa, 11 are from other states, and five are international students.

Dr. Ed Westen, associate professor of biology and recipient of the 2013 John O. Chellevold Award for Excellence in Teaching and Professional Service, will address the graduates “On Surviving Your Young Adulthood.”

The Wartburg Chamber Orchestra will perform under the direction of Dr. Daniel Kaplunas, assistant professor of music, and students Erin Korthals, a junior from Bondurant, and Rebecca Jennings, a senior from Algona. Dr. Karen Black, professor of music, also will provide music.