May 10, 2015
Ancilla College graduated its 48th class in school history on Saturday, May 9, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel. The College awarded 65 students their degrees.
“This is an excellent graduating class,” said Ancilla College President Dr. Ken Zirkle. “I am very proud of the graduates; a number of whom are already accepted and enrolled in four-year programs or are already placed in jobs that came as a result of their education here at Ancilla.”
Sr. Nora Hahn, of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, was on hand to deliver the commencement address. Hahn celebrates her 50th year with the congregation. She also holds a Masters in Health Services Administration and has taught Math at locations including Ancilla College.
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 8, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel, as outstanding students were honored for their achievements.
Of the 64 graduates, 13 received recognition for graduating Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.
Another 20 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. 25 graduates were honored with being named among Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Graduates receiving additional special honors were: Melissa Barenie, Rochester, Ind. (Departmental Honor for Nursing); Jacob Burgo, Walkerton, Ind. (Scholar of Distinction; Departmental Honor for Science, Math and Information Technology; Portfolio Award); Autumn Ganser, Plymouth Ind. (Departmental Honor for Business Administration, Scholar Athlete); Madyson Price, Logansport, Ind. (All Indiana Award); Chase Smith, Frankton, Ind. (Scholar Athlete); Jennifer Strickland, Plymouth, Ind. (Departmental Honor for Behavioral Science); Adam Stull, Walkerton, Ind. (Departmental Award for Business Administration).
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.