海角社区

More Than 500 Degrees Awarded at LSSU’s 2019 Commencement

Apr 27, 2019

Congratulations, 2019 Graduates!

海角社区 celebrated the momentous occasion of commencement on Saturday, April 27 at the Taffy Abel Arena. During the 57th Commencement Ceremony 561 degrees were awarded. Now fully equipped with the tools for success, LSSU graduates can look forward to a bright future, be it attending graduate school or entering the workforce. Chemistry, engineering, geology, nursing, and education programs all boast nearly 100% placement rates in public and private-sector jobs, or admission into graduate school within one year of graduation.

The commencement events kicked off Friday with Honors Convocation at the LSSU Arts Center. Each graduate was introduced and awarded laurels for earning cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude honors, then presented with their honor cords.

The celebration continued with the annual Pinning Ceremony of Nursing graduates. This time-honored tradition signified the completion of the Bachelor of Science nursing program, and represented professionalism and educational achievements. The ceremony symbolized the School of Nursing faculty welcoming the graduating students to the profession of nursing.

Friday鈥檚 festivities concluded with the Golden Grads Reunion at LSSU President Dr. Rodney Hanley鈥檚 home on campus. The Golden Grad Society includes those who left campus at least fifty years ago, in 1969 or earlier. Some Golden Grads also joined students as they marched in Saturday鈥檚 commencement ceremony.

Commencement began with the lively student processional to the tune of 鈥淧omp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D Major鈥� by Sir Edward Elgar. Faculty and Administrators Processional followed with Bob Duncan Pipe Band performing 鈥淲ings鈥� and 鈥淩owan Tree鈥�.

President Hanley greeted the audience of students, alumni, family, friends, faculty, and staff and welcomed them to the event. He then introduced Ms. Karen Hughes Beacom, who sang the national anthems of both Canada and the United States of America.

Ms. Ann Parker, Chair, Board of Trustees formally installed Dr. Hanley as the tenth 海角社区 President and officially welcomed him to the University.

President Hanley鈥檚 inaugural address challenged graduates by asking, 鈥淲hat new ideas, discoveries, improvements will you make to the betterment of yourself and the broad breadth of humanity that is all our responsibility to serve?鈥�

He also referenced author David Brooks鈥�, latest book, The Second Mountain – The Quest for a Moral Life which speaks of a second mountain where life moves from the focus of being self-centered to the other-centered. 鈥淢y hope today is that your education here at 海角社区 has given you the tools, motivation, and the will for you to find that task, purpose, or calling that best suits your talents and abilities to put you on the pathway to finding your second mountain.鈥�

President Hanley closed his remarks with his hopes for graduates, 鈥淎nd, as a member of the class of 2019, it is my hope that you will – that in some way – choose a pathway of service and commitment.鈥�

Dr. Lynn Gillette, Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs presented longtime communications professor, Dr. George Denger, with the Distinguished Teaching Award. A committee consisting of recent award recipients, along with graduating students, solicited nominations from students, co-workers, and alumni.

Dr. Denger accepted the prestigious award with great humor that kept the audience in stitches. He referenced an Abraham Lincoln quote, 鈥淏etter to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt鈥� and joked that in this case he didn鈥檛 seem to have that option available. Dr. Denger then called this development 鈥渧ery pleasantly bizarre鈥� and asked for time to collect his ruminations on the 鈥渆xtremely startling, wonderful, and strange event鈥�, inviting everyone to join him at the Crow鈥檚 Nest after commencement.

Dr. Gillette introduced the Student Respondent, Molly Campbell. Miss Campbell is an Ontario-native and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry, summa cum laude, and plans to continue her studies in medical school in the fall.

Miss Campbell gave an inspiring speech on her time at LSSU, and encouraged her peers to embrace the future. 鈥淲hile we don鈥檛 know for sure what the future will hold, we should be confident that we are well prepared for whatever comes our way.鈥� Miss Campbell also made a point to thank everyone, from family and friends to faculty, that helped the graduates along their way.

鈥淚f your dreams don鈥檛 scare you, then dream a little bigger. Learn from your mistakes. Get back up when you fall down, and keep going,鈥� Miss Campbell asserted.

Dr. Hanley presented the Honorary Doctorate to Dr. Todd Zakrajsek. Dr. Zakrajsek is a 1985 psychology alum from Lake Superior State College. Currently, Dr. Zakrajsek is an Associate Research Professor in the department of Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, Raleigh.

Dr. Zakrajsek delivered the commencement address, which focused on 鈥渋ncreasing attractiveness鈥� which was not defined by what you look like, but by who you are. He recommended that graduates know their true value, get others to see their value, and do something of value everyday.

鈥淏e mindful of your past, but be forward thinking. Recognize your own value, but figure out who you are. Get others to hear your voice and to see your value. Do things that add value to yourself and others. Get what you deserve, and the resources you need, and always strive for more,鈥� Dr. Zakrajsek said.

During the conferral of degrees and delivery of diplomas, LSSU Foundation鈥檚 Executive Director Tom Coates announced the graduates, while faculty took a final opportunity to congratulate them on their success and wish them well in their future endeavors.

Dr. Hanley delivered the closing remarks, 鈥淎s you go forth today and begin the next chapter of your great adventure, always remember as a closing charge: where there鈥檚 justice support it, where there鈥檚 injustice eradicate it, where there is need give it, where there鈥檚 compassion, embrace it, and where there is joy, spread it.鈥�

The ceremony ended with smiles, hugs, and congratulations abound from friends, families, faculty, and staff while Aabizii, Traditional Native American Drummers from Brimley, Mich., performed 鈥淗onor Song鈥� during the Recessional.