A Family Tradition of Support

On the occasion of the 2024 Spring Commencement, President Patricia Draves conferred upon Robert Ackerley an honorary doctorate in special recognition of his long-standing support of Graceland University.

Ackerley has been serving Graceland on many levels: actively taking on various formal functions from the Board of Trustees to SkillPath, making campus (re)construction projects possible, and providing countless students with scholarship as well as internship and career opportunities at his own company, the global semiconductor distributor Smith & Associates.

Three “Ackerley scholars” were graduating that day, through the Ackerley Computer Science and Technology Scholars Program.

Robert Ackerley’s dedication to Graceland University began with a discovery while researching his family history: it was directly linked with the history of the institution through Marietta Walker, the “mother of Graceland” who had donated the founding parcel of land.

Although five generations removed from this cornerstone of history, Ackerley felt an instant personal connection to the community of learning that he found in Lamoni, and wanted to support its future development with whatever time, energy and resources he could give.

“Since he became involved with Graceland, he’s made his mark embodying the values of learning, community and wholeness. His dedication, generosity and commitment to Graceland are long-lasting legacies and reminiscent of Marietta Walker,” President Draves said in her laudation.

Humbled to receive the honorary degree, Ackerley turned to the fresh graduates with his hope that they, too, will someday help provide the next five Graceland generations with the same opportunities to learn, grow and succeed.