St. Ambrose University President Amy C. Novak, EdD, announced today that Neil Aschliman, PhD, will give the keynote address at the 2025 Winter Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13.
A native of Houston, Texas, Aschliman earned his Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Texas A&M University and his PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Florida State University. His research on sharks and rays has taken him as far as Tokyo and Tasmania, but he ultimately settled in Iowa to pursue his true passion: teaching.
Aschliman is a professor of biology and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at St. Ambrose University. In his role as associate dean, he has focused on the strategic combination of St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy, helping to build a strong, sustainable model for higher education.
Since 2011, Aschliman has taught courses in biodiversity, evolution, anatomy and physiology, and scientific communication. Working with students in the classroom and lab remains the highlight of his week.
Winter Commencement will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the River Center in Downtown Davenport. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. For more information, visit the graduation and commencement webpage. View the list of our 2025 winter graduates.
