Saint Mary's to Celebrate 169th Commencement on Le Mans Green
May 13, 2016 (Notre Dame, Ind.)— Saint Mary’s College will host its 169th Commencement at noon, Saturday, May 14 on Le Mans Green in front of the iconic Le Mans Hall. (Campus map) It is the last Commencement Carol Ann Mooney ’72 will take in as president. After 12 years at the helm, Mooney will retire on May 31.
There are 375 members of the Class of 2016, representing 31 states and four countries other than the U.S. (China, Japan, Jordan, and Myanmar). There are three valedictorians in the class, which is extraordinary and may be unprecedented. They are Emily Paige Abel ’16, a chemistry and mathematics double major; Annie Cavalier ’16, a chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry and a minor in biology; and Alexandra Nicole Vizard ‘16, an accounting major with a concentration in finance and a minor in mathematics. The three will offer the valedictory address together.
Honorary Degree Recipients
The 2016 Commencement speaker will be Tori Murden McClure, president of Spalding University an independent college in Louisville, KY named for Mother Catherine Spalding, founder of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. McClure is best known for her adventurous spirit, as she is the first woman and first American to both row solo across the Atlantic Ocean and ski to the geographic South Pole. Her book, A Pearl in the Storm, documents her soul-searching adventure across the Atlantic. The College will recognize McClure with an honorary doctorate of humanities for her commitment to public service.
Also receiving an honorary degree at Commencement is Sister Joan Marie Steadman, CSC, executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Before assuming her role as LCWR executive director, Sister Joan Marie completed a five-year term as president of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Her service to Saint Mary’s College, founded by the congregation, began in 1982 on the Board of Regents (later known as the Board of Trustees). She served on the board until 2006 and sat on the board again while president of the congregation. She will be recognized at Commencement for her mission-focused and tireless efforts to preserve the legacies of both the College and the congregation.
Portia Prebys ’66 , director of Saint Mary’s College study abroad Rome Program, will also receive an honorary doctorate of humanities. She has served the Rome Program since its establishment in 1970. Prebys has received many awards for her service and long career in international education, including civil knighthood from the Republic of Italy. At Commencement, she will be recognized for her life’s dedication to the student cultural exchange between Italy and the United States.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. Saint Mary’s College also offers two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College seeks, according to its mission statement, to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2016 published by U.S. News & World Report. Follow Saint Mary's College on Twitter @saintmarys and @
Contact for News Media: Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations, Saint Mary’s College, gobrien@saintmarys.