Wilmington College will renew its spring tradition of Commencement, which hearkens back to 1875, on Saturday (May 9) when 224 graduates receive diplomas for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) or Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree. The ticketed event will be livestreamed at www.wilmington.edu beginning at 10 a.m.
Artist, author and creative leader Gary Hirsch will present the keynote address. Also, the College will confer an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree upon him. Hirsch is widely known for helping people and organizations communicate more authentically. The co-founder of On Your Feet, he has led experiential learning and leadership development for many organizations, including such global brands as Nike, Intel and Disney. Hirsch is the creator of Botjoy, a global art movement centered on connection, delight and creative courage. During his stay in Wilmington, he will create a mural on the south side of the Scheve Athletic Center. Per his instruction, the campus community has already started the mural with shoeprints painted on the wall.
Several graduating seniors will play key roles at the ceremony, including Margan Evans, who will offer a welcome, Alexa Ward, who will introduce the keynote speaker; Maile Oswald, who will introduce the student speakers, Hayley Hixson, representing graduate degree recipients, and Zachariah McGuirt, representing the undergraduates.
President Corey Cockerill will preside at the ceremony and Steve Szeghi, professor of economics, will serve as faculty grand marshal. Also, Nancy McCormick, campus minister, will provide the invocation and benediction and Board of Trustees Chair J. Brent Bill and J. Wynn Alexander, provost/vice president for academic affairs, will assist with the conferral of degrees. Sigrid Solomon, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, will join Alexander in announcing academic honors and awards. Dan Noel and Erin Bates, program directors for the MOL and MSOT programs, respectively, will hood the master’s degree recipients.
Special music, “for Good” from Wicked, will be provided by BA graduates Ollie Basta and Elva Craig, with accompaniment by Seth Parshall. The academic procession, recession and Alma Mater will be performed by the Wilmington College Brass Trio comprised of Aaron Boyle, trumpet; Gabriel Curtis, trumpet; and WC Assistant Professor of Music Evan Hatter on trombone. Matthew Cox will welcome the graduates into the alumni community.
TOP PHOTO: President Corey Cockerill (CENTER) met informally with the student speakers at Commencement. They are, from the left, Morgan Evans, Hayley Hixson, Zachariah McGuirt, Maile Oswald and Lexi Ward.