12/15/2012
Edinboro University President Julie E. Wollman conferred graduate and undergraduate degrees upon 528 students during separate commencement ceremonies Saturday. It was Wollman’s first Edinboro commencement since becoming the University’s 17th president earlier this year.
Following the ceremonial procession of faculty and graduating students during the morning’s undergraduate ceremony at McComb Fieldhouse, President Wollman conferred upon students 357 bachelor’s degrees and 21 associate degrees. During the afternoon graduate ceremony the historic Louis C. Cole Auditorium-Memorial Hall, she conferred upon students 150 master’s degrees.
Edinboro’s chief academic officer, Dr. Michael J. Hannan, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, convened both morning and afternoon ceremonies.
At the morning ceremony, President Wollman told the graduates, “Your education is the University’s purpose. Your success is our success. Neither ends here. As each of you pursues a career or advanced degree, you will continue to build on the solid foundation of your Edinboro education and the values you were steeped in here: community service, commitment to diversity, respect, responsibility, integrity, curiosity and, yes, excellence.
“You came here to be transformed into better people than you thought you could be when you arrived on campus. I know that you leave us ready to make the world a better place.”
The Undergraduate Commencement Address was delivered by John E. Brown, founder in 1989 of Hospice of Crawford County, the only such hospice program in the region at the time. Brown, a writer, ordained minister, pastoral counselor and musician, served as Hospice of Crawford County’s first CEO, pastoral counselor and music therapist.
“Life can only be understood backward, but must be lived forward,” he told the Class of 2012. He described success as “doing what you love to do and making a living at it.” Being successful in a job, he said, can be greatly lacking without “soul satisfaction.”
Following Brown’s address, Rachel Cracolici-Valentine of Edinboro, who received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and graduated Cum Laude, delivered the student address.
She told her fellow graduates, “ … today, all of our efforts and hard work will pay off, I am more than certain. We have all worked very hard to get to where we are today. … and whether it be from a textbook or lecture, or perhaps outside the classroom, we have grown from our experiences. … let us all take what we have gained here and make great things happen out there, in our community.
“I am ecstatic to say that today, I along with all of you, will officially be an Edinboro University alum – Class of 2012!”
Interim Provost Hannon, Dr. Scott E. Miller, Acting Dean, School of Business, Dr. Susan Curtin, Associate Dean, School of Education, and Dr. Terry L. Smith, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, then presented to President Wollman candidates for degrees.
At the ceremony’s conclusion, Joseph Mineo, President of the Edinboro University Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, welcome the University’s newest alumni to the growing alumni network of some 60,000 graduates.
A total of 71 academic majors were represented by the December 2012 graduating class. The largest number of students graduated with degrees in education, art, business administration, nursing and criminal justice.
During the afternoon graduate ceremony, the student address was delivered by Rachel Diane Freund of Cary, North Carolina, who earned a Master of Education in Reading degree.
Drs. Hannan, Smith and Curtin, along with Dr. Alan J. Biel, Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Research, presented candidates for degrees to President Wollman.
Between the Master’s and Undergraduate Commencements, President Wollman greeted graduating students and their families at a Commencement Brunch at Van Houten Dining Hall.
December Commencement participants
Leading the academic procession and representing his faculty colleagues by carrying the Ceremonial Mace for the Master’s Commencement was Dr. Joel Erion of Edinboro University’s Professional Studies Department. Dr. Kathleen Benson, Chair of Edinboro’s Elementary, Middle and Secondary Education Department, was the Mace Bearer for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
The distinction of being mace bearer emphasizes the importance of faculty in Edinboro’s academic environment, where learning is preeminent, and is symbolic of the central role which faculty play in the academic and personal development of Edinboro students.
Music during the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony was provided by Edinboro’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Dr. Gary Grant, conductor, and the University Chorale, Dr. Peter van den Honert, conductor. For the Graduate Commencement Ceremony, music was provided by the Edinboro University Pipe and Drums. The student leader for the National Anthem and Alma Mater at the Undergraduate Ceremony was Tara Hart. Will Steadman led the National Anthem at the Master’s Ceremony.
Nurses honored during pinning ceremony event
Following Saturday’s formal Commencement, students graduating with nursing degrees were recognized during a traditional pinning ceremony at Van Houten South Dining Hall. Nursing faculty member Victoria Hedderick served as M.C., and Dr. Amy McClune delivered the faculty address.
The current nursing graduates are among the first to experience the new Jeremy D. Brown Human Services Building, designed to meet the specialized needs of the Nursing Department.
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