Wheaton News

Three earn recognition for leadership, child development, championing human capacity and lifelong learning

On Saturday, May 20, 2023, Wheaton College will celebrate its 188th Commencement and honor three individuals for creating inspiring spaces for living, learning and engaging in the arts; providing critical expertise in the psychological development of children, adolescents and adults; and for championing individual human capacity, lifelong learning and diversity and inclusion.

Honorary degrees will be presented to architect Ann Beha, who founded a practice known internationally for preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings; psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Dr. Carlotta Gordon Miles ’59, a nationally known speaker, writer and consultant in the area of psychological development of school-age children and adolescents; and Wheaton Trustee Emeritus Keith J. Peden, an advocate for higher education and the liberal arts, and a former Raytheon executive.

As founder of Ann Beha Architects, Beha’s national and international practice championed preservation and adaptive reuse at a time when demolition was more likely than renewal. She is a groundbreaker in combining contemporary architecture with landmarks and historically significant settings and was one of the few national practices led by a woman when she started her firm 40 years ago.

Dr. Miles is a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in Washington, D.C. In practice for more than 50 years, she is a nationally and internationally known speaker, published writer and consultant in the area of psychological development of school-age children, adolescents, graduate students and adults. Among her many accomplishments: she was elected Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association for her successful 10-year mission to establish a psychiatric presence in independent schools around the country.

Peden is an advocate for the liberal arts in higher education, diversity and inclusion, and a strong supporter of leadership development and the creation of collaborative working environments. He is a former senior vice president at Raytheon and member of the company’s operating committee and served on the Wheaton College Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2022. In his executive positions at several companies, including his leadership role in human resources at Raytheon, and in his work on several boards of trustees he has been a champion of lifelong learning and nurturing individual human capacity that leads to organizational growth.

Commencement, which starts at 9:45 a.m., will celebrate the Class of 2023 with family, friends, alumni, staff, faculty and trustees. The ceremony will take place outside on the Dimple. (In the event of extreme weather conditions, the ceremony will be relocated to the Beard Field House in the Haas Athletic Center.) A livestream will be available.

Also, Reunion will take place from Friday, May 19, through Sunday, May 21. Events include a Reunion picnic, tours, exhibitions, receptions and a Saturday evening dance. Registration is open through Friday, April 28.

Read more about the honorary degree recipients.