DONALDSON – Ancilla College graduated its 47th class in school history on Saturday, May 3, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel. The College awarded 78 students their degrees.
“Commencement is a special moment in the life of any college or university,” said Ancilla College President Dr. Ron May. “It is a time of recognizing the great efforts of the graduates in the completion of degrees. It also is a new beginning for each of those graduates whether they plan to transfer on to a senior college to complete a bachelor’s degree or go directly into the world of work. It is a time of joy for the graduates and their families. It is, similarly, a moment of joy for the faculty and staff who assisted the graduates on the way to earning a degree.”
Joan Haugh, Executive Director of Community Services of Starke County, was on hand to deliver the commencement address.
“We are especially grateful to Mrs. Joan Haugh for delivering the commencement address this year. Mrs. Haugh is the quintessential example of how to live one’s life in service to others,” said May.
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.
“Commencement at Ancilla College is such an exciting time,” said Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services. “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. We see the ways in which our students grew and flourished with the individual attention they receive from faculty and staff and know that we have shaped the lives of our students, that we have started them on a journey that will last a lifetime.”
An Honors Convocation was also held on Friday, May 2, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel, as outstanding students were honored for their achievements.
Of the 78 graduates, 17 received recognition for graduating Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.
Another 22 were honored for their affiliation with Ancilla’s Beta Beta Beta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society in American higher education. 23 were honored with being named among Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Receiving special honors were: Amanda Amstutz, Fort Wayne, (Scholar of Distinction), Jalon Linville, Louisville, KY, (Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete), Mieka Wagner, Evansville, (Outstanding Female Scholar-Athlete), Mariah Adams, Plymouth and Ramon Blancovargas, Plymouth, (Outstanding Portfolio Award), Amanda Amstutz and Joe McCrammer, Plymouth, (All-Indiana Academic Team), Mariah Adams and Lynndie Mitchell, Plymouth, (Behavioral Sciences Award), Rachel Hansen, Dorset, OH, (Liberal Studies Award), Mieka Wagner (Science, Mathematics, and IT Award), Rashell Beron, Knox, (English Award), Ashley Cooke, Grovertown, (Nursing Award), Daniel Seago, North Judson and Desiree Narkawicz, North Liberty (Business Administration Award) and Jill Gavlick, Culver, (Religion and Philosophy Award).
Ancilla College (www.ancilla.edu) is a Catholic, liberal arts, Associate’s Degree college in Donaldson, Indiana, sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
