Thank you for joining us for the Saint Mary's College 2020 Commencement Celebration. We congratulate our 2020 graduates and were thrilled to host a live ceremony for those whose in-person graduation was canceled due to the pandemic. 

 

 

Order of Ceremony

Cover of Commencement Program 2020

Welcome to the 2020 Commencement Celebration at Saint Mary's College. Below is the program for today's ceremony. A pdf version is available to download by clicking here.

Academic Procession

National Anthem

Invocation

Gretchen Flicker ’93
Chair, Board of Trustees

Welcome

Katie Conboy, Ph.D.
President

Class Officer Remarks

Kassandra Acosta ’20
Michelle Lester ’20

Guest Speaker

William Svelmoe, Ph.D.
Professor of History

Commencement Address

Presented by
Nancy P. Nekvasil, Ph.D.
Former Interim President

To read more about Nancy Nekvasil, click here.

Recognition of Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees in Course

Presented by
Sharon M. Meagher, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Presentation of Graduates

Tracy P. White
Senior Academic Advisor

Charge to the Class

Katie Conboy, Ph.D.
President

The Bells of Saint Mary’s

Recession


Class of 2020

The Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice

Erin Nicole Pillette
Aurora, CO
Family Nurse Practitioner
Director: Sue Anderson

Jessica Lynn Rizzo
Kettering, OH
Family Nurse Practitioner
Director: Sue Anderson

Carly Elizabeth Thompson
Lowell, MI
Family Nurse Practitioner
Director: Sue Anderson


The Degree of Master of Science

Alexis Lemus
Blue Island, IL
Speech Language Pathology

Jordin Saalfrank
Ossian, IN
Speech Language Pathology

Melissa Masiel Santos
Whittier, CA
Speech Language Pathology

Victoria Elizabeth Taylor
Elkhart, IN
Speech Language Pathology


The Degree of Bachelor of Arts

Kassandra Acosta
Dayton, NV
Psychology/Sociology
Summa Cum Laude

Nicole Ann Aggarwal
Ventura, CA
Sociology/Communication Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Co-Valedictorian

Alison Y. Alberts
Evergreen Park, IL
English Literature/Secondary Education

Mary Marta Grace Antonetti
Gaithersburg, MD
Political Science

Ariana Miranda Arriaga
Schererville, IN
English Literature/Spanish

Elisabeth Barrett
Frankenmuth, MI
Philosophy/SDM
Organizational Studies:
Behavior and Management
Cum Laude

Emma Christine Beaudoin
Berkley, MI
Elementary Education

Olivia Bentley
Ellicott City, MD
ISDM: Advocating for Social Justice

Alexia Renee Calderon
Munster, IN
Global Studies

Tatiana Castilleja
San Diego, CA
Sociology/Communication Studies

Mary Eloise Coleman
Aztec, NM
Political Science/Humanistic Studies
Magna Cum Laude

Claire Conlon
Springfield, IL
Speech Language Pathology
Summa Cum Laude

Janie Wahesha Davis
Atlanta, GA
Philosophy

Natalie Ann Davis
Aurora, IL
English Literature and Writing/
Gender and Women's Studies

Anisah Elsayed-Awad
Columbus, OH
Global Studies

Hannah McBride Etscorn
Winter Park, FL
Psychology
Cum Laude

Elizabeth Ferry
Eldridge, IA
History/Humanistic Studies
Magna Cum Laude

Amanda Rosemarie Fischer
Ann Arbor, MI
Communication Studies
Cum Laude

Guadalupe Garcilazo
South Bend, IN
Spanish/Secondary Education
Cum Laude

Kara Joyce Gargan
Vernon Hills, IL
Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude

Caitlin Therese Gibbs
New Buffalo, MI
Elementary Education/Spanish
Summa Cum Laude

Maura Catherine Gillig
Kalamazoo, MI
Speech Language Pathology
Magna Cum Laude

Anastacia I. Gomez
Whiting, IN
Philosophy

Megan Goralczyk
Syracuse, IN
Political Science/History

Stephanie Erin Goyette
Naperville, IL
Psychology
Summa Cum Laude

Mary Katherine Florence Graziano
Lake Forest, IL
Communication Studies

Madeline McKenna Greely
Houston, TX
Communication Studies

Madeleine Marie Green
Carmel, IN
Psychology

Audrey Lynn Gyolai
Milan, MI
Philosophy

Darby Lee Harcourt
Whittier, CA
Environmental Studies

Sarah Lauren Hautzinger
Crown Point, IN
Sociology
Summa Cum Laude
Co-Valedictorian

Magdalena Hernandez
South Bend, IN
Spanish

Bridget Lenore Thérèse Herod
Buffalo, NY
Religious Studies

Jazmin Abigail Herrera
Ligonier, IN
Sociology

Anastasia Marie Hite
Countryside, IL
Sociology
Magna Cum Laude

Sabrina Anne Hollis
Fort Wayne, IN
Psychology

Claire Michelle Holman
Carol Stream, IL
Computing and Applied Mathematics

Maura Eileen Honan
Marblehead, MA
Communication Studies

Savannah E. Jackson
La Porte, IN
History

Alexis Jacobs
Youngstown, OH
Physics

Allyson Reilly Jones
Riverside, IL
Communication Studies

Sophie Marguerite Kaminski
Valparaiso, IN
History

Karissa Kennedy
Buchanan, MI
English Literature

Jalyn King
Indianapolis, IN
History/Secondary Education

Emily Klepper
Huntington, IN
Mathematics
Magna Cum Laude

Isabella Krockey
Homer Glen, IL
Speech Language Pathology
Cum Laude

Courtney Rose Kroschel
Coloma, MI
Economics
Summa Cum Laude

Madison Nancy Lee
Nokesville, VA
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude

Michelle Anne Lester
Coloma, MI
Political Science

Mi An Luu
South Bend, IN
Psychology

Anne Maguire
Madison, WI
Global Studies
Magna Cum Laude

Alexandra Arlene Majchrowicz
Schererville, IN
Elementary Education
Cum Laude

Bobbie Gina Mammolenti
Mishawaka, IN
Speech Language Pathology

Sophia McDevitt
Poquoson, VA
Religious Studies
Summa Cum Laude

Cathleen Marita Meade
Hinsdale, IL
Elementary Education

Grace Catherine Milligan
Monticello, IN
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude

Haley Margaret Mitchell
Youngstown, OH
Speech Language Pathology

Mary Elizabeth Moir
Alpharetta, GA
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude

Colleen Lauren Murphy
Northport, NY
Elementary Education
Cum Laude

Sarah Elizabeth Nation
Livonia, NY
Speech Language Pathology
Magna Cum Laude

Terra Marie Nelson
Cathedral City, CA
Elementary Education

Nga “Jessy” Nguyen
Bienhoa, Dong Nai, Vietnam
Environmental Studies
Cum Laude

Anne Terese Nowalk
Culver, IN
Communication Studies

Shayleigh Rebekah O'Donnell
Northbridge, MA
Political Science/History

Sheila Marie O'Riordan
Homer Glen, IL
Elementary Education

Jessica Ostrowska
Darien, IL
Global Studies

Elyse Marie Paul
McKinney, TX
Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude

Nicole Agnes Ploeger
Greensburg, IN
Elementary Education

Nicole Marie Popow
Carol Stream, IL
Psychology

Kayla Elizabeth Powers
Mount Lebanon, PA
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude

Madison Jane Pyle
Visalia, CA
Religious Studies

Olivia Grace Rake
Zionsville, IN
Psychology
Cum Laude

Amanda Rensch
San Antonio, TX
Speech Language Pathology
Summa Cum Laude

Delaney Marie Rohlman
Indianapolis, IN
Elementary Education
Cum Laude

Allie Lorraine Schmidt
Plano, TX
Communication Studies

Frances Tobin Dougherty Schroeder
Edina, MN
Economics
Magna Cum Laude

Elizabeth Anne Schueppert
Saint Louis, MO
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude

Olivia C. Sencion
Chicago, IL
Art

Kirstin Sherman
Nunda, NY
Computing and Applied Mathematics/Theatre

Sheridan Anne Sims
South Lyon, MI
Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude

Abigail Frances Smedley
Naperville, IL
Elementary Education

Mary Grace Stechschulte
Jackson, MI
Elementary Education

Joanna Stephanie Stochitoiu
Granger, IN
Speech Language Pathology/Spanish
Summa Cum Laude

Elizabeth Marie Stockwell
Dowagiac, MI
Speech Language Pathology
Magna Cum Laude

Rebecca Suzanne Strom
Mahomet, IL
English Writing/Humanistic Studies
Summa Cum Laude

Taylor Shannon Strong
Glenview, IL
Communication Studies
Cum Laude

Rachel Thomas
South Bend, IN
Communication Studies
Summa Cum Laude

Libbey Rose Tierney
Wawaka, IN
Communication Studies

Elizabeth Sandra Tizzano
Cleveland, OH
History

Mary Therese Trainor
Oak Park, IL
Communication Studies
Cum Laude

Georgia C. Turvey
Madison, NJ
Spanish
Cum Laude

Gina M. Twardosz
Valparaiso, IN
English Writing/Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude

Samantha Underly
South Bend, IN
Communication Studies

Taryn Van Horn
Monroeville, IN
Communication Studies/Psychology

Lauren McKenzie Vanisacker
Monroe, MI
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude

Malary Magdelyn VanOverberghe
Edwardsburg, MI
Psychology
Cum Laude

Genesis Vasquez
Chicago, IL
Gender and Women's Studies

Cameron Verducci
Iowa City, IA
Communication Studies

Catherine Marie Viz
Orland Park, IL
Humanistic Studies/History

Mary Elizabeth Wandor
Midland, MI
Economics

Valerie Renee Zaczyk
Munster, IN
History

Alexa Zapata Fernandez
South Bend, IN
Psychology

Anna Zappa
Chicago, IL
Environmental Studies
Magna Cum Laude

Lucille Zeiger
Bremen, IN
Elementary Education
Cum Laude

Lauren Marie Zinanni
Bourbonnais, IL
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude


The Degree of Bachelor of Business Administration

Brooklyn Paige Beltran
Lebanon, IN
Business Administration

Sarah Ann Braun
Fort Wayne, IN
Accounting
Magna Cum Laude

Clare Eileen Carragher
Naperville, IL
Accounting
Cum Laude

Jocelyn Elizabeth Carrasco
Fairview, NJ
Accounting

Maggie Elizabeth Cloud
Indianapolis, IN
Business Administration
Cum Laude

Courtney Michelle Driscoll
Saint Joseph, MI
Business Administration

Camilla Edwards
Ann Arbor, MI
Business Administration/Economics

MaryClare Freeman
Johns Creek, GA
Business Administration/Economics

Emma Patterson Freund
North Barrington, IL
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude

Molly Malone Galvin
Lake Orion, MI
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude

Mara Frances Conry Hart
Grand Rapids, MI
Business Administration
Cum Laude

RyLee Edith Haughey
Galien, MI
Business Administration

Grace Hillman
Beverly Hills, MI
Business Administration

Chloe Jacobs
Grand Rapids, MI
Business Administration
Cum Laude

Hailen V. Jerkovic
Darien, IL
Business Administration

Clara Faith Judge
Otsego, MI
Business Administration
Cum Laude

Elizabeth Kaspers
Aliso Viejo, CA
Business Administration 
Cum Laude

Noel Charis Keen
Berwyn, IL
Accounting
Cum Laude

Bridghidanne Kelly
Philadelphia, PA
Business Administration/Economics
Cum Laude

Meaghan Elizabeth Lagore
Pewaukee, WI
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude

Marissa Martinez
El Cajon, CA
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude

Anna Stasia Mason
Grand Rapids, MI
Business Administration
Cum Laude

Lucia Katherine O'Quinn
New York, NY
Business Administration

Allison Anne Page
Valparaiso, IN
Accounting
Cum Laude

Olivia C. Propheter
Naperville, IL
Business Administration/Economics
Cum Laude

Kennedy Kalyn Richardson
Crown Point, IN
Business Administration
Summa Cum Laude

Maire Katherine Ritchie
Peoria, IL
Business Administration

Gabrielle Salera
Pittsburgh, PA
Accounting

Christina Serra
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Business Administration

Anna Smagala
Hinsdale, IL
Accounting

Jessica M. Snyder
Tinley Park, IL
Business Administration
Cum Laude

Diana Laura Soto
Chicago, IL
Accounting/Spanish
Cum Laude

Sophia Elizabeth Swailes
Grand Rapids, MI
Business Administration

Laura Taylor
Corona, CA
Business Administration

Leticia Torres Gaytán
Plymouth, IN
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude

Kathryn Vicenzi
Chevy Chase, MD
Business Administration
Cum Laude

Shiyi Wang
ChengDu, China
Accounting/Economics
Cum Laude

Mia Washington
Elkhart, IN
Business Administration
Cum Laude

Hannah E. Wilson
Paw Paw, MI
Accounting
Cum Laude


The Degree of Bachelor of Music

Shannon Patricia Haak
Oak Lawn, IL
Music Education
Cum Laude

Reagan Jayne Stohler
Elkhart, IN
Music Education
Cum Laude


The Degree of Bachelor of Science

Anna Victoria Babiak
Rumson, NJ
Biology/Secondary Education
Magna Cum Laude

Hannah Noelle Baxter
Nashville, TN
Computing and Applied Mathematics
Cum Laude

Gabrielle Jeanne Beach
Saint Petersburg, FL
Physics
Magna Cum Laude

Margaret Mary Benjamin
Kalamazoo, MI
Chemistry
Summa Cum Laude

Mary Margaret Brandt
Sycamore, IL
Statistical and Actuarial Mathematics
Magna Cum Laude

Alana Natalie Cieszykowski
Blue Springs, MO
Mathematics

Kathleen Margaret Halloran
Downers Grove, IL
Physics

Kassidy Mikala Jungles
Manteno, IL
Biology
Summa Cum Laude

Emma Helene Kelley
South Bend, IN
Chemistry
Cum Laude

Madeline Judith Lamb
Fishers, IN
Chemistry
Cum Laude

Katelyn Marie Long
Aurora, IL
Chemistry

Jordan Lee Marsman
Ravenna, MI
Biology
Cum Laude

Madeleine Beatrice Mauck
Elkhart, IN
Biology

Lauren Olivia McGovern
Canton, MI
Physics
Summa Cum Laude

Abbigal Kimberly Moos
Sioux City, IA
Mathematics

Andrea Alejandra Ruiz-Montoya
Ensenada, BC, Mexico
Chemistry

Molly Paige Ryan
Kalamazoo, MI
Computing and Applied Mathematics/Philosophy

Marianna Sanchez
Westchester, IL
Biology

Sophia Jiyoon Sim
Chesterton, IN
Biology
Cum Laude

Anna Kathleen Smierciak
Danbury, CT
Computing and Applied Mathematics

Chiara Marie Smorada
Kennett Square, PA
Chemistry
Magna Cum Laude

Hannah Marie Tanczos
Danielsville, PA
Biology
Summa Cum Laude

Macy Thompson
Valparaiso, IN
Mathematics

Bella Scarlett Tillman
Oak Lawn, IL
Biology/Spanish

Kamryn Marie Yerga
Merrillville, IN
Biology
Cum Laude


The Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nicole Borah
Windermere, FL
Nursing
Magna Cum Laude

Maria Elisabetta Ciaravino
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Nursing

Kaitlin Anne Clifford
Batavia, IL
Nursing

Megan Catherine Coeur
Gulf Shores, AL
Nursing
Magna Cum Laude

Bridget Diane Delaney
New Palestine, IN
Nursing

Nicole Ehardt
Traverse City, MI
Nursing

Meghan Kelly Feldmeier
Western Springs, IL
Nursing

Rose Catherine Fialkowski
Mokena, IL
Nursing
Cum Laude

Madeline Elizabeth Gallagher
Tinley Park, IL
Nursing
Cum Laude

Karin Garcia Montoya
Sturgis, MI
Nursing
Magna Cum Laude

Kelly Patricia Golden
Orland Park, IL
Nursing

Kathryn Claire Hansen
Arlington Heights, IL
Nursing
Cum Laude

Emma Ibarra
Hobart, IN
Nursing
Cum Laude

Kelsey Keilman
South Bend, IN
Nursing
Magna Cum Laude

Kayla Rose Knapke
Fort Wayne, IN
Nursing

Danielle Heather Knowlton
Mokena, IL
Nursing/Spanish

Tarah Marie Lawitzke
Grand Blanc, MI
Nursing

Nicolette Catherine LeBrun
Winnetka, IL
Nursing

Madeline Molloy Nettleton
Villa Park, IL
Nursing

Teresa M. Niehaus
Fort Myers, FL
Nursing
Cum Laude

Caitlan Elizabeth Pawlowski
Chicago, IL
Nursing
Cum Laude

Alexis Marie Pullara
Morris, IL
Nursing

Riley McCall Recker
New Lenox, IL
Nursing

Kerrigan Schmidt
South Bend, IN
Nursing
Cum Laude

Mary Kathryn Selvaggi
Louisville, KY
Nursing

Lucille Reich Semler
Carmel, IN
Nursing

Erika A. Wright
South Bend, IN
Nursing


The Degree of Bachelor of Social Work

Alexandria Balok
South Bend, IN
Social Work

Marie Kelleher Burke
Western Springs, IL
Social Work

Amahti Maite Campbell
Chicago, IL
Social Work

Jillian Elizabeth Dani
Bremen, IN
Social Work

Megan Elizabeth Drolet
Inverness, IL
Social Work
Magna Cum Laude

Carey Ann Dwyer
Oak Forest, IL
Social Work
Magna Cum Laude

Grace Erving
Kalamazoo, MI
Social Work

Austin Marie Fritzgerald
Richton Park, IL
Social Work
Cum Laude

Magdalena Hernandez
South Bend, IN
Social Work

Olivia Anne Lathers
Grass Lake, MI
Social Work

Sophia McDevitt
Poquoson, VA
Social Work
Summa Cum Laude

Margaret Kathleen McKinnon
Wadsworth, IL
Social Work

Catherine Emilie Niles
Winchendon, MA
Social Work
Magna Cum Laude

Georgia C. Turvey
Madison, NJ
Social Work
Cum Laude

Katherine Dower Wankelman
Fort Collins, CO
Social Work/Gender and Women's Studies
Magna Cum Laude

*SDM- Student-Designed Major


The Belles of Saint Mary's

The Belles of Saint Mary's

Mission Statement

Founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1844, Saint Mary’s College promotes a life of intellectual vigor, aesthetic appreciation, religious sensibility, and social responsibility. Saint Mary’s is a Catholic, residential, women’s, liberal arts college offering undergraduate degrees and co-educational graduate programs.

A pioneer in the education of women, the College fosters an inclusive, academic community where students discover and develop their talents as they prepare to make a difference in the world. All members of the College contribute to this mission in their response to the complex needs and challenges of contemporary life.

Statement of Philosophy and Purpose

As a center of higher education, Saint Mary’s fosters an academic climate of scholarship and learning for faculty and students alike. Through excellence in teaching and the example of its own active scholarship, the faculty challenge students to expand their horizons and support them in their intellectual pursuits. A broad-based course of study invites students to think critically and creatively about the natural world and human culture. Acknowledging the need to prepare women for an array of careers, the College provides a liberal arts foundation for all students. Through their years at Saint Mary’s, students acquire depth and breadth of knowledge, competence in quantitative skills and modern languages, the ability to think clearly about complex problems, and the capacity to communicate with precision and style.

As a Catholic college, Saint Mary’s cultivates a community of intellectual inquiry, liturgical prayer, and social action. The College creates an open forum in which students freely and critically study the rich heritage of the Catholic tradition, raising the questions necessary to develop a mature religious life. The celebration of liturgy encourages students to explore the fullness of life and its mysteries. The College nurtures awareness and compassion for a troubled world and challenges students to promote human dignity throughout their lives. In preparing women for roles of leadership and action, Saint Mary’s pays particular attention to the rights and responsibilities of women in the worlds of work, church, community, and family.

Dedicated to the personal and social growth of its students, Saint Mary’s cultivates a community of students, faculty, and staff, which responds to the needs of women. In order to offer the richest educational experience possible, the College strives to bring together women of different nations, cultures, and races. It provides a residential environment where women grow in their appreciation of the strengths and needs of others. Through a host of co-curricular programs on campus and in the local community, Saint Mary’s initiates students in the habits of civic responsibility. Engaging in all aspects of the college experience, students acquire the hallmarks of a liberally educated woman: keen self-knowledge, lively imagination, lifelong intellectual and cultural interests, and the ability to make socially responsible choices about the future.

A Look Back at May 16, 2020

Our 2020 Celebration Speakers

Nancy Nekvasil and Bill Svelmoe

 

Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce former Interim President Nancy P. Nekvasil, Ph.D., as our Commencement speaker for the Class of 2020. Nekvasil was a member of the Saint Mary’s community for 37 years, and was interim president in May 2020 when the class graduated.

“When we were forced to have a virtual graduation, my strongest desire was to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments with them in person as soon as possible. I am thrilled beyond words to see everyone again and be with the class. It brings me full circle to completing my time at Saint Mary’s College,” Nekvasil said.

Nekvasil holds a doctoral degree from the University of Notre Dame and has been a member of Saint Mary’s Department of Biology for more than 30 years and department chair for nearly a decade. Nekvasil has received many awards and honors during her tenure, including the Maria Pieta Award for extraordinary teaching, the Spes Unica Award for exceptional service to the College, and the Carmi and Chris Murphy Faculty Award for Student Mentorship of the Senior Comprehensive. She has also served the College as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. 

Also offering words to the class will be Bill Svelmoe, Ph.D., professor of history, Svelmoe has taught at the College since 2000 and is an active member of the College community. He serves as a faculty representative in the Athletics Department and has acted in a number of Saint Mary’s theater productions.

The Class of 2020

  • Abigail Frances Smedley What I love most about Saint Mary's are the traditions and the friendships I've made that I will cherish forever. Abigail Frances SmedleyElementary Education
  • Abigail Mabry What I love most about Saint Mary’s is the community and the life-long friends I have met here. Abigail MabryBusiness Administration
  • Abigail Marion Seubert Following graduation I will attend graduate school for my master's of marriage and family therapy at Syracuse University in hopes to one day have a private practice. Abigail Marion SeubertPsychology
  • Abigail Mengel My future plans include working on a Progressive Care Unit Abigail MengelNursing Science
  • Alana Cieszykowski I love that the professors here at Saint Mary's make it their life-long mission to help each of their students discover who they want to become. Alana CieszykowskiMathematics
  • Alayna Gabrielle Haff "Wherever you go, go with all of your heart."
    —Confucius
    Alayna Gabrielle HaffCommunication Studies
  • Alexa Zapata Fernandez A little girl from Mexico dreamed of receiving her diploma and honoring her people. She worked hard and always believed she could accomplish her greatest goal. She finally did! Esto es para mi gente. Alexa Zapata FernandezPsychology
  • Alexandra Majchrowicz I have been called to be an educator. I will be teaching third grade in Arizona for the upcoming school year. I am sad to leave Saint Mary's and the friends I have made here but am excited for this new chapter of my life. Alexandra MajchrowiczElementary Education
  • Alexandria Balok I love the feeling of home you always get. Alexandria BalokSocial Work
  • Alexis Ann Caron What I love most about Saint Mary’s is how over the past four years it became my home away from home. The community is so much more than the school, I have met my forever friends and made memories that will last me a lifetime. Saint Mary’s will always hold a special place in my heart. Alexis Ann CaronPolitical Science, Global Studies
  • Alexis Lemus I’m ready to start my career as a speech language pathologist! I will be completing my CFY at a pediatric clinic where I will serve children and their families with speech, language, and other communication disorders. I am looking forward to giving back to my community and live out my calling. Alexis LemusMaster's in Speech Language Pathology
  • Alexis Marie Pullara I have a job lined up in the ICU at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL. I am very excited and I hope to get a lot of experience so I can become a traveling nurse! My goal is to travel and see as many places as I can to find a beautiful state to live and settle down in and go to graduate school. Alexis Marie PullaraNursing Science