Fontbonne Graduation to Feature Paraquad Co-Founder Colleen Kelly Starkloff

The co-founder of an independent living facility for people with disabilities will speak Saturday at 's commencement in .

Colleen Kelly Starkloff and her late husband, Max, developed St. Louis-based Paraquad and also founded the Starkloff Disability Institute.

“We are honored to have Colleen Starkloff share her message with the December 2011 graduating class,” stated Dennis Golden, president of Fontbonne, in a news release. “This is a landmark occasion in our students’ lives, and Mrs. Starkloff’s powerful message will encourage them to continue living the Fontbonne mission to ‘think critically, act ethically and to assume responsibility as citizens and leaders long after graduation.”

Commencement begins at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Dunham Student Activity Center.

Also on the agenda for commencement

• A posthumous honorary doctorate of humane letters will be awarded to Max Starkloff

• Some 215 students are expected to graduate.

• South St. Louis County resident Michael Horn will deliver the student speech. He is graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in biology.

• Amy Caby will receive the Alumni Hood Award from the Fontbonne Alumni Association. She is graduating cum laude with a bachelor's degree in corporate communications from the school's OPTIONS program.