Monday Morning Update
May 21, 2012
Class of 2012: Under sunny skies, 561 students participated in Stonehill's 61st Commencement yesterday on the main quad, which was packed with family and friends. A total of 198 students earned Latin honors: 15 summa cum laude, 72 magna cum laude and 111 cum laude. With the graduation of this senior class, the College now has more than 23,770 alumni. For a recap of the ceremony, visit here.
Commencement Snapshots: To capture the joy of the day in photos, visit here.
Surprise: As the ceremony got underway, Provost Katie Conboy surprised Richard Grant, associate dean of academic achievement, with the President's Award for Excellence. At Stonehill since 1969, Grant, who is retiring, has been an advisor, counselor and mentor to generations of Stonehill students. The award recognizes how he has always put students first, treating them as whole persons and advising them in ways that recognize their strengths, challenges and capabilities.
Real Opportunity: Commencement Speaker Daniel Conley '80 told the Class of 2012 that, as college graduates in America, they are among "the luckiest people in the entire planet. Even within the U.S., you just graduated from one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. Whatever anyone wants to say about the economy, student loan debt, or the value of an undergrad degree, you possess one of the only true keys to real economic opportunity." To read his remarks, which suggest that the purpose of life is not to find ourselves, but to lose ourselves in meaningful endeavors, visit here.
Deep Roots: "Whether Stonehill is your roommate turned best friend, coach turned confidant, or professor turned mentor, it is most likely a combination of many influential people who have created the past four years for you," noted Haley McNeel '12 in her Commencement remarks. To her classmates, McNeel added, it is "the WHO of this campus that keep students happy and that keep alumni digging their roots deep into their alma mater." For her remarks in full, visit here.
Senior Gift: Class President Meagan Harrington and Vice President Michelle Virshup presented the College with a gift of $16,237 on behalf of the Class of 2012 Legacy Campaign. The class gift is designated for a fund that will support students who study abroad. Thanks to a $5,000 challenge grant from Ken Michel '68, this year's class gift is the largest in College history. Thank you seniors, and Ken Michel, for your generosity.
Honorees: President Mark Cregan '78 presented honorary degrees to Speaker Dan Conley '80 (Doctor of Laws), business executive & trustee William Devin '60, P '88 (Doctor of Business Administration), homeless advocate Dr. James J. O'Connell III (Doctor of Humanities), and caregiver Mother Margaret Regina (Doctor of Humane Letters).
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