May 11, 2008
Wheeling Jesuit University Celebrates 2008 Commencement
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
Wheeling, WV (HNN) --- Wheeling Jesuit University's Commencement
exercises for the class of 2008, was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 10,
in the Alma Grace McDonough Center. It was a perfect spring day and the
joy was evident on the faces of graduates, their families and friends.
The Most Rev. George V. Murry, Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio delivered the commencement address and spoke to the crowd with a sense of humor about the significance of their important day. He referenced the number of graduation ceremonies he has attended over the years and said that he understands that the big question in everyone’s mind is “how long is this guy going to talk.” He then promised to be brief if the graduates promised to listen intently and applaud vigorously.
A member of the Society of Jesus, Bishop Murry leads a Roman Catholic diocese that includes almost a quarter of a million people in six counties in Northeast Ohio. A native of Camden, N.J., he was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Wheeling Jesuit President, the Rev. Julio Giulietti, S.J., presented Murry with an honorary doctorate of humane letters in recognition for his “service among the people of God.”
After the Murry’s address, the graduates heard from a representative from the Board of Directors, Sr. Kathleen Durkin, C.S.J. who wished them well.
Next the university bestowed emeritus status on two retiring professors, history professor Joseph Laker and his wife, computer science professor Margaret Geroch, who together amassed 63 years of academic instruction. Both received a Founder Medal in appreciation for their service. Giulietti next presented biology professor Kenneth Rastall with the annual Outstanding Teaching Award, the school’s highest teaching award.
After awarding degrees to over 255 participating graduates from all over the United States and six foreign countries, the valedictorian, Lauren Marie Twigg of Glen Dale, W.Va., delivered her address. Twigg is a political and economic major and a Laut Scholar, who earned summa cum laude status and the daughter of Sharon and Bernie Twigg.
She encouraged her fellow graduates to continue the spirit of the university in their post-commencement lives by carrying with them what they learned and illuminating the earth with competence and compassion.
Other student awards distributed at commencement include the Henry F. Paul Medals for highest four-year averages, which went to Lauren Twigg (bachelor of arts) and Kelly Koral of Pittsburgh, Pa. (bachelor of science). Medals for second highest award went to: Brian O’Donnell of Glen Dale, W.Va. (bachelor of arts) and Megan N. Krivenko of Bridgeport, Ohio (bachelor of science).
The Anthony T. Basil Medals for adult education graduates were awarded to Kevin Sikora of Wheeling for highest average, and Constance Crechion of Martins Ferry, Ohio, for second highest average.
The Frank R. Haig, S.J. Science Award was given to Stephanie Geer of Appollo, Pa., the Russell E. Younkins Medal was given to Elizabeth Long of Bannock, Ohio; the Katherine Fouts Medal was given to Adrienne Greene of Fairmont, W.Va.; the Mary Woomer Medal was given to Amanda Lyons of Valencia, Pa. and the Archbishop John J. Swint Medal was given to Justin Schmitt of Annadale, Va.
A total of 352 graduates commenced at the university but not all walked in the ceremony. Approximately 217 day students, 89 graduate students and 46 adult students made up the class of 2008.
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Wheeling Jesuit University Celebrates 2008 Commencement
Special to Huntingtonnews.net
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The Most Rev. George V. Murry, Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio delivered the commencement address and spoke to the crowd with a sense of humor about the significance of their important day. He referenced the number of graduation ceremonies he has attended over the years and said that he understands that the big question in everyone’s mind is “how long is this guy going to talk.” He then promised to be brief if the graduates promised to listen intently and applaud vigorously.
A member of the Society of Jesus, Bishop Murry leads a Roman Catholic diocese that includes almost a quarter of a million people in six counties in Northeast Ohio. A native of Camden, N.J., he was ordained to the priesthood in 1979. Wheeling Jesuit President, the Rev. Julio Giulietti, S.J., presented Murry with an honorary doctorate of humane letters in recognition for his “service among the people of God.”
After the Murry’s address, the graduates heard from a representative from the Board of Directors, Sr. Kathleen Durkin, C.S.J. who wished them well.
Next the university bestowed emeritus status on two retiring professors, history professor Joseph Laker and his wife, computer science professor Margaret Geroch, who together amassed 63 years of academic instruction. Both received a Founder Medal in appreciation for their service. Giulietti next presented biology professor Kenneth Rastall with the annual Outstanding Teaching Award, the school’s highest teaching award.
After awarding degrees to over 255 participating graduates from all over the United States and six foreign countries, the valedictorian, Lauren Marie Twigg of Glen Dale, W.Va., delivered her address. Twigg is a political and economic major and a Laut Scholar, who earned summa cum laude status and the daughter of Sharon and Bernie Twigg.
She encouraged her fellow graduates to continue the spirit of the university in their post-commencement lives by carrying with them what they learned and illuminating the earth with competence and compassion.
Other student awards distributed at commencement include the Henry F. Paul Medals for highest four-year averages, which went to Lauren Twigg (bachelor of arts) and Kelly Koral of Pittsburgh, Pa. (bachelor of science). Medals for second highest award went to: Brian O’Donnell of Glen Dale, W.Va. (bachelor of arts) and Megan N. Krivenko of Bridgeport, Ohio (bachelor of science).
The Anthony T. Basil Medals for adult education graduates were awarded to Kevin Sikora of Wheeling for highest average, and Constance Crechion of Martins Ferry, Ohio, for second highest average.
The Frank R. Haig, S.J. Science Award was given to Stephanie Geer of Appollo, Pa., the Russell E. Younkins Medal was given to Elizabeth Long of Bannock, Ohio; the Katherine Fouts Medal was given to Adrienne Greene of Fairmont, W.Va.; the Mary Woomer Medal was given to Amanda Lyons of Valencia, Pa. and the Archbishop John J. Swint Medal was given to Justin Schmitt of Annadale, Va.
A total of 352 graduates commenced at the university but not all walked in the ceremony. Approximately 217 day students, 89 graduate students and 46 adult students made up the class of 2008.
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