Standing ovations were given to ISU President Al Bowman and actor Sean Hayes yesterday at the 2013 Founders Day Convocation in Braden Auditorium in the Bone Student Center.

In Bowman’s last Founders Day as president of ISU, he welcomed trustees, members of the platform party, faculty, staff, retirees, students, alumni and friends to the 2013 “celebration of the university’s founding.”

Faculty, staff, students and former students were honored and awarded for their achievements and outstanding performances in their respective disciplines.  

Best known for his successful Hollywood career, which includes an Emmy win and seven Golden Globe nominations, actor Sean Hayes was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts Degree.

Vivianne Velazquez/Photographer: Distinguished professors give President Al Bowman a round of applause for his accomplishments.

“Ladies and gentleman, Dr. Sean Hayes,” Bowman said as he introduced him.

“When I got the email asking if I wanted a free Ph.D., I thought why is this in my scam folder. And then I realized it was right next to all of the other emails offering free things like Prozac and Viagra, and I figured if a free Ph.D. can get me happy and hard at the same time — why not,” Hayes said to the uproarious crowd.

His “deep love” for ISU and the town of Normal, made him the man he is today, Hayes said. He spoke about how he was finally allowed to be “out and gay” and how it is a hard obstacle for a young person.

The cliques he was in and friendships he made at ISU helped him to be his own self.

Vivianne Velazquez/Photographer: Sean Hayes, actor and ISU alum, was presented with an Honorary Degree Wednesday at the Founders Day Convocation.

J. Michael Adams was honored with the Posthumous Honorary Degree. Adams, who died in 2012, of acute myeloid leukemia, addressed the crowd from a video recording that was made prior to his death.

The most prestigious award that can be earned by a faculty member at ISU, the Distinguished Professor appointment, was awarded to Roberta Trites, professor of English.

University Professor appointments were awarded to Tim Hunt, professor of English and Fred H. Smith, department chairperson of sociology and anthropology.

Other awards were given for Outstanding University Teachers (categories 1 and 2), Outstanding University Researchers, University Teaching Initiative, University Research Initiative, Outstanding University Service, Service Initiative, the Stan and Sandy Rives Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award, the New Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award, the Herb Sanders Award for Outstanding Academic Advisement, the Williams Outstanding Technology Service Award, the Neal R. Gamsky Award, the David A. Strand Diversity Achievement Award and Alumni awards.