With the conclusion of two more 毕业典礼 ceremonies, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) welcomed 321 graduates from the Class of 2024 to join thousands of alumni on Saturday, 5月13日, 在1990年th 毕业典礼.
临时总统布伦南. Randolph, MBA, welcomed graduates and their loved ones. “As Interim President of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to these ceremonies and open the College’s 190th Commencement,伦道夫说.
Commencement speakers were students selected by a committee from nominations by students, 教师, 员工和学生团体. Nominees had a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, among other criteria requirements.
波特·霍斯利·霍顿, who received degrees in nursing and kinesiology, addressed her peers during the morning ceremony honoring campus undergraduates with words of encouragement.
“Although we share this special moment together, each one of us has unique backgrounds, 天赋与品质, creating new legacies to inspire us and the people around us as we go into this new chapter of our lives. Each one of us has created a legacy, 不管我们是否知道, that inspires future generations among families, friends or even ourselves as we take a new road of our own legacy story,她分享道。.
在获得学位后, 杰西Burdick, a sport management major who transferred to SMWC his junior year, shared the impact that The Woods community has had on him. “I never thought that this day would come for me, but SMWC has made it possible for that to happen. Everyone I have encountered has been nothing but helpful throughout my two years here. It almost doesn’t feel real for me. 即使我的课很难, I knew there were multiple people I could always reach out to for help. This has truly been a great experience and will always be something I will cherish forever,伯迪克说.
在下午的典礼上, online and graduate students reflected on inspiring words shared by Elizabeth Hein, ’21, ’22G,’ 23G, a graduate from the first Master of Business Administration (MBA) cohort. “The world to you is different than the world of the person sitting next to you. We have made it to the top of our first mountain. I encourage each of you to pause, look around and admire the beauty that comes from achieving this milestone,海因说.
布兰迪·亚当斯06年, ’23G, also a graduate of the first MBA cohort, shared what it meant to be part of the first group to graduate from the program. “I am so honored to be a part of the first MBA cohort at SMWC. The Woods is such an incredibly special place for me and to be able to continue my education and advance my career through the newly established MBA program truly feels like a full circle moment for me. To have completed my bachelor’s at SMWC, which gave me the skills and prepared me to enter my professional career, 完成我的MBA学位, which has already propelled my career (in conjunction with the completion of the Master of Leadership Development last August) has been a very special experience for me,亚当斯说.
Award winners were recognized during the ceremonies.
The 校友 Leadership and Service Award recognizes a graduate who demonstrated outstanding leadership and service during their time at SMWC. Katrina Strow received the Undergraduate 校友 Leadership and Service Award and Kirby Gilliam received the 研究生 校友 Leadership and Service Award.
The Maud Helm Rockwell Medal for Academic Excellence is given to a graduate of the campus-based program and a graduate of the Woods Online program with the highest academic grade point average. Medals were awarded to Sara Allard, Graycee安萨里, Julian Green and Bailey Thompsonin the campus ceremony, and to Jeannie Owsley and Stephanie Potts in the Woods Online ceremony.
在早上的仪式上, Interim President Randolph presented The Distinguished 校友 Award to Barbara Brugnaux ’70.
A baccalaureate liturgy ceremony was held on campus in The Church of Immaculate Conception between both ceremonies.