05/15/13 Ancilla College celebrated its 46th class in school history on Saturday, May 11, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel.
The College recognized 85 candidates for associate’s degrees, including two students completing a double major. Nineteen of the graduates are from Ancilla’s Nursing Program.
“Commencement exercises provide the Ancilla College faculty and staff an opportunity to recognize our graduates,” stated Dr. Ron May, president of Ancilla College. “The ceremony signifies completion while also signaling a new beginning for our students. It is with great joy that I am able to hand a diploma to each graduate. The journey each of them has taken to get to this momentous occasion is unique and the doors now open to each one are many and varied. We have high expectations for each of our graduates as they move from Ancilla College into the next stage of their lives. May God bless each of them!”
Tricia Sloma, WNDU-TV morning news anchor, delivered the commencement address and talked about how a person’s faith and education can empower them for the future. Sloma said “Graduates, your education is not over. We are constantly learning. I’m not referring to the need to refresh our skills in technology, equipment or social media. We should always strive to learn something every day from the people around us.”
Sloma added, “Pray for others. And when it comes to praying for your own needs, remember this, ‘God can’t fix what you haven’t given him.’ You will be faced with challenges that you won’t know how to fix. In that moment of turmoil, Psalm 46:10 should give you peace. It’s “Be Still, and know that I am God”. “
A reception organized by the Ancilla Alumni Association followed, as Ancilla faculty, staff, students, and their families gathered in Cana Hall for fellowship and refreshments.
Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services., commented,” Commencement at Ancilla College is such an exciting time. It is a celebration and culmination of hard work by students and faculty. Marching across the stage, changing the tassel from right to left – these are signs of achievement and, for some, the fulfillment of a dream that students did not expect to accomplish.”
Blount added, “Faculty and staff have seen the ways in which our students flourished with individual attention and we know that we have helped shape the lives of new leaders in our communities. They have worked to become better citizens, recognizing and working to solve problems, locally and globally.”
“These graduates have started on a journey that will last a lifetime. Their education has not ended but only begun. As they grow, I hope they will remember the start that Ancilla College provided and give back so that others may have the opportunities each of our students did. I wish them all good luck in future endeavors, whether that is career or pursuing higher education.”
An Honors Convocation was also held on Friday, May 10, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel, as students and faculty alike were honored for their achievements.
Of the 110 candidates, 16 received recognition for graduating Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.
Another 26 were honored for their affiliation with Ancilla’s Beta Beta Beta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education.
Receiving special honors were Alyssa Blackburn (Scholar of Distinction), Logan Hug (Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete), Keri Friend (Outstanding Female Scholar-Athlete), and Stephen Newcomer (Outstanding Portfolio Award).
Ancilla College (www.ancilla.edu), part of The Center at Donaldson, is a Catholic, two-year, co-educational, liberal arts college in Donaldson, Indiana, sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
