WC to Livestream Ceremony from Website
Wilmington College will confer 295 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at its 142nd Commencement Saturday (May 12).
PICTURED: An image from the not-too-distant past: J.R. Barnhart '07 races across campus after picking up his cap and gown from the Campus Bookstore.
While that ceremony marks the culmination of both the academic year and these students’ undergraduate careers, it is one of several events in which the graduating seniors will join together a final time to reflect upon, appreciate and celebrate their time at Wilmington College.
With final exams concluding Tuesday, the Class of 2018 will hold a “Zero Year Class Reunion” Thursday evening for graduating seniors at Generations Pizzeria sponsored by WC Alumni Council and First Decade Society, the latter of which places a special emphasis upon alumni from the past 10 years.
On Friday, the soon-to-be-graduates will attend the annual Baccalaureate ceremony, an event designed for them to reflect upon their experience at the College. Highlights include musical numbers by members of the College Chorale and a faculty/staff ensemble, a senior video presentation and student remarks from Sarah Holtsclaw, a member of the Class of ’18. Also, campus minister Nancy McCormick will present a welcome and senior Cascie A. Powles of the Quaker Leader Scholar Program will offer an invocation and scripture reading.
Following Baccalaureate, the students will have one final meal together — in this case, a feast — at the Senior Lunch. The program includes awards presentations for student leadership, along with the Teaching Excellence Award and Van Black Award, the latter of which is designated for a staff member, not in the Student Life division, who has been especially supportive of students.
Student government president Lawrence Daya will preside at the lunch, at which graduating senior Maraya Wahl will offer a response to a “Farewell to Seniors” message from Wynn Alexander, professor of theatre. Also, 1989 alumnus David Fluker, associate head athletic trainer at Xavier University, will share his memories of WC.
The College’s Cincinnati Branch students will join their main campus counterparts for Commencement rehearsal Friday afternoon, which will culminate with a class photo. The graduating seniors from the Cincinnati Branches had their annual Senior Banquet May 4.
On Saturday, President Jim Reynolds will preside over the Commencement ceremony and present the address. Class member Allyson R. Schaefer will introduce the president after an invocation by campus minister Nancy McCormick and welcome from senior David Henry. Presenting student remarks will be Travis R. Scheadler and Edgardo R. Honda, representing the main campus and Cincinnati Branch, respectively.
Those wishing to view the ceremony should visit the COMMENCEMENT LIVE webpage prior to the ceremony’s 10:30 a.m. start.
Erika Goodwin, vice president for academic affairs, will announce academic honors and awards before special music presented by graduating class member Brandi A. James and members of the College Chorale, with accompaniment by Brianna Matzke, assistant professor of music, who also will perform the academic processional and recessional.
Handling the conferring of degrees will be Reynolds and Goodwin, along with registrar Sue Hutchens and Robert Touchton, chair, Board of Trustees. Alumni Council president Don Muchmore, Class ’73, will confer the graduates’ membership into the alumni community.
Following closing remarks from Goodwin, the audience will be requested to join the graduates in singing the Alma Mater, after which Nancy McCormick will offer the benediction.
The Class of 2018 will process from the ceremony onto Elm Street, where they will traverse through a wall of faculty, staff and trustees congratulating them as they proceed en route to meet their families and friends on Collett Mall and at the subsequent ice cream reception in Pyle Center.
