“I’m more well-rounded because of the experiences I’ve had at Saint Mary’s."
Supported by cheers and clapping from family and friends, 388 Saint Mary’s students emerged in an exuberant procession from Le Mans Hall on May 21, each one eager to receive a diploma and a handshake from President Carol Ann Mooney ‘72. Their enthusiasm never waned, despite sudden rain clouds, rumbles of thunder, and a few sprinkles here and there.
The Saint Mary's Class of 2011 marches
out of Le Mans Hall on May 21.
“You always make me so proud of you,” Mooney said to 164th Commencement class, urging them to a life of action. “If you have learned only one thing from your time at Saint Mary’s, I hope it is that we are all called to something greater than ourselves; we have an obligation to use the talents given to us by God.
“People of accomplishment rarely sit back and let things happen to them,” she continued. “They go out and happen to things. Saint Mary’s women have a strong tradition of ‘happening to things.’”
Valedictorian Samantha Wassel, an English writing major from New Carlisle, Indiana, recalled the hard work of the past four years: studying for exams, planning papers, organizing club meetings, filling out job applications, worrying about college loans. Then she urged her classmates to forget about it.
Valedictorian Samantha Wassel enjoys
graduation day.
“My message to you this afternoon is a simple one: This is your moment. Revel in it,” she said. “Whatever you do, enjoy your final day as an official Saint Mary’s Belle.” Read her entire speech.
And they did.
Classmates cheered as Jingqiu Guan of Chengdu, China, received the College’s highest student honor, the Lumen Christi Award. The award, kept secret until graduation, recognizes the senior who stands out as a dedicated Christian woman and who excels in leadership and loyalty to Saint Mary’s. Guan—a talented pianist, dancer, linguist and a “once-in-a-lifetime student” according to one professor—majored in economics and French and plans to enter Harvard University’s Graduate School of International Education Policy in the fall.
Jingqiu Guan thanks her professors
after accepting the Lumen Christi Award,
the College's highest student honor.
The day was homecoming and history as Therese Johnson Borchard ’93 took the podium as the only former Lumen Christi winner to deliver the Commencement address. Author of more than 20 books, award-winning blogger on BeliefNet.com, and columnist for the Catholic News Service, Borchard captivated her audience by speaking about her struggles with depression so severe that she was institutionalized twice.
Therese Johnson Borchard '93 delivers
the Commencement address.
“This school is part of my soul because it was here that I found the courage to be myself and to believe in myself, despite the rude commentary inside my head,” she said. “My friends, professors, and counselors taught me how to focus on the rays of light in whatever darkness I encountered and to let that light guide me and inspire those around me.” Read her entire speech.
Borchard received an honorary doctorate of humanities, as did Colleen Barrett, the former president of Southwest Airlines who has consistently been recognized as one of the most powerful businesswomen in the country. “I hope that you will go with love, spread love and be loved while you are loving others,” she told the grads.
Colleen Barrett, former president of
Southwest Airlines, received an honorary
doctorate of humanities from Saint Mary's.
In her charge to the class, President Mooney spoke of Elinor Smith, an aviator born in 1911 who set records in speed, endurance, altitude, and in-air refueling, all while in her teens. “Elinor once said it had come to her attention that ‘People of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things,’” Mooney quoted. She challenged them to follow Smith’s example: “Saint Mary’s women of the Class of 2011—my best wishes to each of you. Now go start happening!”