.jpg) |
May 11, 2008
Wheeling Jesuit University Celebrates 2008 Commencement
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
|
Wheeling, WV (HNN) --- Wheeling Jesuit University's Commencement
exercises for the class of 2008, was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10,
in the Alma Grace McDonough Center. It was a perfect spring day and the
joy was evident on the faces of graduates, their families and friends.
The Most Rev. George V. Murry, Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio delivered the
commencement address and spoke to the crowd with a sense of humor about
the significance of their important day. He referenced the number of
graduation ceremonies he has attended over the years and said that he
understands that the big question in everyone’s mind is “how long is
this guy going to talk.” He then promised to be brief if the graduates
promised to listen intently and applaud vigorously.
A member of the Society of Jesus, Bishop Murry leads a Roman Catholic
diocese that includes almost a quarter of a million people in six
counties in Northeast Ohio. A native of Camden, N.J., he was ordained to
the priesthood in 1979. Wheeling Jesuit President, the Rev. Julio
Giulietti, S.J., presented Murry with an honorary doctorate of humane
letters in recognition for his “service among the people of God.”
After the Murry’s address, the graduates heard from a representative
from the Board of Directors, Sr. Kathleen Durkin, C.S.J. who wished them
well.
Next the university bestowed emeritus status on two retiring professors,
history professor Joseph Laker and his wife, computer science professor
Margaret Geroch, who together amassed 63 years of academic instruction.
Both received a Founder Medal in appreciation for their service.
Giulietti next presented biology professor Kenneth Rastall with the
annual Outstanding Teaching Award, the school’s highest teaching award.
After awarding degrees to over 255 participating graduates from all over
the United States and six foreign countries, the valedictorian, Lauren
Marie Twigg of Glen Dale, W.Va., delivered her address. Twigg is a
political and economic major and a Laut Scholar, who earned summa cum
laude status and the daughter of Sharon and Bernie Twigg.
She encouraged her fellow graduates to continue the spirit of the
university in their post-commencement lives by carrying with them what
they learned and illuminating the earth with competence and compassion.
Other student awards distributed at commencement include the Henry F.
Paul Medals for highest four-year averages, which went to Lauren Twigg
(bachelor of arts) and Kelly Koral of Pittsburgh, Pa. (bachelor of
science). Medals for second highest award went to: Brian O’Donnell of
Glen Dale, W.Va. (bachelor of arts) and Megan N. Krivenko of Bridgeport,
Ohio (bachelor of science).
The Anthony T. Basil Medals for adult education graduates were awarded
to Kevin Sikora of Wheeling for highest average, and Constance Crechion
of Martins Ferry, Ohio, for second highest average.
The Frank R. Haig, S.J. Science Award was given to Stephanie Geer of
Appollo, Pa., the Russell E. Younkins Medal was given to Elizabeth Long
of Bannock, Ohio; the Katherine Fouts Medal was given to Adrienne Greene
of Fairmont, W.Va.; the Mary Woomer Medal was given to Amanda Lyons of
Valencia, Pa. and the Archbishop John J. Swint Medal was given to Justin
Schmitt of Annadale, Va.
A total of 352 graduates commenced at the university but not all walked
in the ceremony. Approximately 217 day students, 89 graduate students
and 46 adult students made up the class of 2008.