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Mount Saint Mary College awarded over 618 bachelor’s and
master’s degrees to candidates at the College's commencement
ceremony on May 14, 2011.
This year marks the 48th year that the College has awarded the
bachelor's degree, and the 26th year that it has the awarded the
master's degree. It was the first year that commencement exercises
were held on the Dominican Sisters of Hope field.
Abel R. Garraghan, chairman of the board of trustees, presided
over the ceremony.
Procession at noon
As master of ceremonies, Dr. James Finn Cotter, professor of
English, led the procession of graduates, faculty, and dignitaries
into the tent, carrying the College's mace. Fr. Francis Amodio,
O.Carm., college chaplain and director of campus ministry, gave the
invocation.
Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, president of Mount Saint Mary College,
welcomed the friends and families of the graduates to the ceremony.
Fr. Mackin then announced, and Mr. Garraghan conferred, the
honorary degrees.
Honorary degrees were given to Bret Baier, Fox News Channel
Anchor; Barbara Taylor Bradford, OBE, author; Captain Scott M.
Smiley, U.S. Army; and James W. Taylor, Jr. of Taylor Biomass
Energy, LLC
Faculty award
The Mount Saint Mary College Faculty Award was presented to Dr.
Mattson Atsunyo, professor of business administration, and Dr. Reva
Cowan, associate professor of education.
Dr. Lawrence Force, professor of psychology, presented the award
on behalf of the faculty.
"This is your day. Enjoy it!"
In his address to the graduates, Mr. Baier said that had had
been looking forward to delivering his inaugural graduation address
at "Commencement on the Mount." He spoke of his early days in
broadcasting at CNN and career ascent from journalist to news
anchor, telling graduates that "your path to success will show
itself, as long as you can see what's ahead and focus on your
goals."
He also spoke about the capacity for, and belief in, hope and
change within all people that the graduates will call upon, again
and again, in their lives. "If hope always beats in your heart,"
said Baier, "then change is yours for the making."
Presentation of candidates and degrees
Dr. Iris J. Turkenkopf, vice president for academic affairs, and
Dr. Irene Nunnari, professor emerita of English and communication
arts, presented the candidates for degrees, and Fr. Mackin
recognized all degree candidates.
The benediction that closed the ceremony was offered by Harry
Steinway, vice president for student affairs.
Earlier Commencement Events
The Nurse Pinning Ceremony and the Hooding and Awards
Ceremony both took place on Friday, May 13.