 Good evening. This isn't part of the script, but I just have to tell you that I Know you did something right when you selected Immaculata University But you really did something right to pick a daylight today. It's incredible. It's incredible This is the commencement ceremony of our College of Graduate Studies This evening we honor and we confer degrees on 229 students who have completed their work for either a master's or doctoral degree The first master's degrees here were awarded in 1985 and the first doctoral degree was awarded in 1996 We continue this rich tradition by beginning with the invocation which will be given by sister Mary Henrich Vice president for mission and ministry, please remain standing. Good evening Let us pause and remember that we live always in the presence of the God who loves us Before you were even formed God knew you at your birth God's breath filled you with life You are made in God's image God of our beginnings We thank you for the many gifts of these graduates their excitement their awesome wonder and curiosity their resiliency and their personal dreams and experiences and their academic accomplishments They have worked hard while balancing family jobs careers a pandemic and life Their contributions have blessed and challenged us Immaculata has become richer and a more diverse community because of them As they move forward in their lives with their graduate degrees Let them know that you are with them at every moment Strengthen them in a world that often challenges their faith goodness and integrity Give them courage Guide them in their daily lives protect them from harm and Lead them as they go forth to serve others and to contribute to the good of humanity We ask this blessing upon each of them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen Please join us. Please stand for the National Anthem and please join our soloist Daisy Fras a Music therapy major and class of 2023 in the singing of the National Anthem I would like to thank Daisy because not only is she singing our National Anthem here tonight But she will be singing it two more times for our other two schools So thank you Daisy for your willingness to do this and really do need to thank Professor Joe Gearing For his work on the Yamaha. Thank goodness. We're almost finished with this members of the Board of Trustees graduates guests faculty staff Welcome a very warm welcome to the commencement ceremony for our College of Graduate Studies It truly is an honor For me to address our graduates tonight With these degrees our graduates are joining a very small percentage of a population who have either a masters or PhD degrees Now I understand that on a day of such great excitement What you require first and foremost of Any speaker is brevity and I will not fail you in that respect There are exactly 667 words in my remarks and you've already heard 45 of them But as I begin let me just tell you that if this year taught me anything It would be to never start talking Before checking to see if I am on mute this year has been a year like none other We've all endured and continue to endure the face masks the social distancing and just about everything virtual You had to balance the demands of your work your families and your schoolwork Add to this the largest pandemic in recent memory and you have had the perfect storm of challenges Your accomplishments especially during this past year are noteworthy Your achievements required discipline commitment and courage The discipline to go to class after a hard day's work or maybe just after having a bad day The commitment to complete the required assignments when there were other things I'm sure you could have or wanted to do The courage to take the next step to get the necessary Education to enable you to move forward with your personal and professional goals On this journey, I'm sure it was easy very easy to get discouraged We all do I Remember going to school at night to get my master's degree and there were many times I questioned my decision to get the degree How many times did you ask yourself? Why am I doing this? It took discipline commitment and yes courage Not to quit if I took a poll and asked you why you pursued a master's or a PhD I'm sure I would hear things like Well, I wanted to better myself. I wanted to do get a better job. I Wanted to make more money to provide for my family my hope my hope is That in addition to the answers you might have given me There would be one that speaks to the need to learn something that you're passionate about and Provides you the means to do something you are passionate about We're here not just to become better, but to create better be proud To take your knowledge forward and use it to build new wisdom and new outcomes At Immaculata, we know that knowledge has no end and That there is no end to its ability to change things for the better Enclosing I would like to share These three very simple rules of life that I learned when I studied at the University of Notre Dame They stuck with me all this time Probably because they were very simple and easy for me to remember They go something like this rule number one Do right Just do the right thing We've all done dumb things and wish we hadn't done them Wherever we are. It's because of the choices we make Make good choices do right Rule number two this one needs no further explanation Do everything to the best of your ability My mom told me often Everything worth doing is worth doing well And rule number three and this is very important show people That you care Take the IU core values with you. They just don't apply to your time here They are values for life Ladies and gentlemen on behalf of the faculty and staff here at Immaculata University Congratulations and a very heartfelt. Thank you for choosing to pursue your degree your degree at Immaculata University It has truly been an honor to serve as your president. I wish you good health happiness and Continued success. Thanks very much. I can keep it off good All right, I am honored to announce this year's honorary degree recipient Dr. Andrew McLaughlin Throughout his four decade career dr. McLaughlin supported students as a teacher principal and administrator at all levels of education Dedicating his entire career to education. Dr. Andrew McLaughlin has worked Extensively within special education as both a teacher and then as director of special education programs In his current position as secretary for elementary education for the archdiocese of Philadelphia Dr. McLaughlin serves as the superintendent for 104 elementary schools and 12 early childhood centers He previously served as director of special education for the archdiocese from 2015 through to 2017 Working as a special education teacher for the first 10 years of his career at Pendelko school district Dr. McLaughlin then transitioned to central Montgomery County Center For technical studies where he was the special education coordinator Advancing his career. He served as principal of o and j roberts middle school French Creek elementary school and Pocopsin elementary school before joining the archdiocese of Philadelphia Additionally dr. McLaughlin serves as graduate level adjunct faculty member at several local colleges Dr. McLaughlin holds a bachelor of arts in special education and teaching a master of arts in education and a Doctor of education in educational leadership and administration He also earned principal and special education Certifications from the state of Pennsylvania Department of Education and he is licensed to work with mentally and physically disabled students as An expert in his field dr. McLaughlin is active with several professional organizations including the Association for elementary and secondary principles Counsel for exceptional learners and the national Catholic educational association As a result of his life's work and dedication to Education at all levels the Machulati University is very pleased to recognize Dr. Andrew M. McLaughlin with a doctor of Yomani letters Dr. McLaughlin, please stand and move forward to the front of the stage I'd now invite dr. McLaughlin to address the graduates Thank you for that wonderful introduction I'm honored to be here today with you and thank you for awarding me this honorary degree. I Want to recognize president Latterie the members of the boards of trustees the faculty Administration and especially the graduates here today I'm honored to share this special event with you and thank you for inviting me I would also like to recognize my wife bridge and my daughters For supporting me through this journey. I Want to share a funny story About the call I received to get this honor and Again, I like to warn you that my wife always tells me don't tell people it's gonna be a funny story your stories are never funny But anyway, I got a message to call a Machulati University and I was a little nervous about making the call and I thought it was something to do with maybe I had a massive bill I had to pay But eventually I made the call and I was not only pleased to learn I did not owe any money But I was shocked at the content of the call. I Really had no not expected such an honor. It took me several days before I was able to absorb the reality of the situation I can see That most of you can understand why my wife tells this people not to listen to my funny stories Again, I want to congratulate you on your achievements here today According to latest census data only about 13% of US adults have earned an advanced degree You are now part of that elite group that holds such a distinction When I completed my masters, I told myself that was it. I was finished the school I was not rushing off after teaching all day and then coaching to attend classes. I was done But that was not the case. I continued formal classes for another 15 years and another 150 credits Along the way, I realized that I will never be finished trying to learn and More and gain greater expertise in my field. I Look at learning and growing professionally like sailing a boat Depending on the direction of the wind and the course your boat needs to go you are constantly adjusting the sails Like a sailboat a university can only provide you generic skills to deal with the situations you will face The next phase of learning will be like adjusting the sails to the wind shifts Your continuous education will focus on needs specific to you and the personality and your strengths and weaknesses I think the greatest advice I can give and share with anyone entering professional life is the need for personal reflection. I Learned to that the greatest reason for failure is the inability to accept this need to correct weakness Reflection is the best way to take your tweak your personal sails This process of reflection can take many forms, but it's essential that you adopt some form of this Let me share a brief example or two brief examples how I use reflection in a very actionable method The first is an obvious process that would be apparent to anyone in the organization You decide on what leadership behaviors are important for the success of your organization and the people you lead Then you ask for feedback from the staff You could develop a survey and ask them their opinion on how you perform based on those identified behaviors Some general themes might be availability Responsiveness to the situations as a principle. I include it Specific additional items such as curriculum management and dealing with discipline issues I then would provide the survey to everyone and allow them to respond They would rate me newer numerically on a Likert scale, and I would also allow for comments on each item as well The next phase is the most difficult phase When you read these results Once I receive the results, I would read them all and place them in a drawer for a week or Until I stop crying whatever was came first Then once I recovered I would score each area surveyed for the average score identified and then identify the the weakest area I Would look at comments and try to develop themes themes that would guide me in a plan to grow I then would establish a plan for improvement and develop measurable objectives on how I would correct these weak areas and Then I would share them at large The sharing part forced me to make sure that I would be held accountable And I tried addressing these identified concerns because now everyone would know what I said I would do and Sharing the results also let those that took the survey know that I took their comments seriously. I Will admit this process is Difficult personally, but provides a very objective view of how a person can grow Being objective with yourself is difficult Sometime in my mind's eye. I envision myself differently Often I get up in the morning look at a mirror and surprise that the old man looking back at me Although difficult the objective of analysis is a great way to identify growth areas and measure your year-to-year growth And see how you were doing to allow it also allows you to see how others perceive you I want to I want to share one other story about reflection That takes just a little bit different approach I want you to supervisor that was very bright and hard-working However, we seem never to be on the same page I would always Walk away from our interactions very frustrated He would never remember our previous conversations and we then he would be surprised that I acted upon our last conversations Sometimes in the middle of the conversations. He would stop listening as if he was not interested in what I was saying After dealing with us for several months. I finally decided that I need to develop the skills to make this relationship work. I Prayed to God that he would lead me to acquire the skills. I need it and develop rather than leave each situation frustrated and Blame the supervisor for how he responded to me. I decided to change my behaviors in the end I was able to develop some skills that did help greatly But it was only because I stopped blaming someone else and took responsibility for myself Confucius once Commentate on learning. He said there were three methods. We may learn first by reflection, which is noblest Second by imitation, which is the easiest and third by experience, which is the bitterness. I Know I should not correct Confucius, but I would like to slightly alter some comments I would say first is to learn as you just did in a formal education center Such as here at a maculada Second is to refine what you have learned through a reflection of your performance and Third is to continue to pray to grow and guidance as you meet those daily challenges Let me close with Latin Ette in flammatae. I'm Nia It means go forth and set the world on fire This was first uttered four hundred and sixty years ago by Saint Ignatius of Loyola to his companion Saint Francis Xavier as he was preparing to travel to far off places to be the light for Christ Consider the similarity to your situation You like Saint Francis Xavier are now equipped with new skills and are about to embark into uncharted waters You will be adjusting your sails as you move to the new horizons and now you are commissioned with the same words ette Inflammatae and Nia. I think you can go set the world on fire by doing these two things Using the knowledge you have learned here at a maculada and Your continual self-guided growth to allow you to meet the new demands you face You can set the world on fire Sail on and good luck Thank You dr. McLaughlin for accepting our honorary degree and for your inspiring words I now ask Marsha Paris Dean of the College of Graduate Studies to present the degree candidates Marsha Graduation is the time to acknowledge the gifts and talents hard work and perseverance of those who have earned degrees Each graduate deserves to have his or her name heard In this spirit, please mute all cell phones refrain from calling out during the ceremony and hold your applause until all graduates present have received their diplomas I Also ask that you remain in your seats to allow our professional photographers to take photos of each graduate. Thank you Immaculata University awards degrees in January August and May of each calendar year The program contains the names of all of those who have completed degree requirements Since the last commencement exercises along with the date the degree was granted We will be announcing the names of those present at the ceremony today as Dean for the College of Graduate Studies I present to you President Latire the candidates for the doctoral and master's degrees By virtue of the powers vested in them by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the president and faculty of Immaculata University confer the doctoral and master's degrees with all the rights privileges and responsibilities on the candidates who have successfully completed the required courses I Now invite Marsha Paris Dean of College of Graduate Studies to the podium to guide the doctoral hooding process and Then announce the recipient of the doctoral degrees For coming forward for their degree recognition the doctoral candidates at today's ceremony will be hooded by their guests The hooding ceremony confers a special recognition upon graduates receiving doctoral degrees The ceremony originated in European universities in the 11th or 12th century and was introduced to distinguish graduating students as they began their academic careers I now ask all doctoral candidates and their selected guests to stand honored guests, please place the hood on your graduate The velvet trim should be visible and the small tapered end should be in the front Congratulations. I now invite candidates to approach the stage to receive their degree recognition Candidates as you come to the stage Please bring with you your name cards distributed in the envelope you received at check-in When you reach the stage hand your card over so the dean can announce your name Before moving to where president latire is standing The degree doctor of education is granted to the following candidates Dane auger Colleen vermusi Jerome brown jr Christine Campbell jennifer christman lucas claus Sharon cohen kelly coal heather daniels christina tansy stephanie doyle thore edmiston kayla switzer susan snider Todd reem lisa stens jamie van arcs-dalon patricia iziki kyle hamond alisha heins nicole hyland peter kishpa ashley redneck gregory millbrand christina king dale lead shamice taylor unna martin april mccary diane mcdonald julie mckelroy teresa tyas mitchell macy molitor desiree cease christen stern melissa joe tradewell victoria vetro robbie young lori xerring this completes the degree doctor of education the degree doctor of psychology is granted to the following candidates jacklyn berc amanda anderson redner divara gale martin leigh morrow taylor stockley jonathan herald stacina clark keanna fiskas ashley flor sarah maver camie mcmanus salita owens karen owens sarah paschner allyson reese dominique schull stefanie sima bianca stern elizabeth thorell buckley bohan tran joshua strickler please join me in congratulating our students who have graduated from their doctoral programs dr mark hamins assistant dean in the college of graduate studies will now come to the podium to announce the recipients of the master's degrees the degree master of arts is granted to the following candidates stefanie beaver lisa carlson mary catherine crowley erica culpert moses dixon megan falts lea gallagher elizabeth drivesdale kathleen bear james glazier shannon kennedy melanie kershner sammie knight danielle colton ashlyn la valley tabitha loftus khalif long bruce mcknight kailey moone maria morelli hillary murdoch mary narsical kara nunn john larson oratzky tyler perry jenna romano marianna ruiz danielle samone stefanie thomas katelyn star courtney waters laura watson britney steven lucy watz nadia williams this completes the degree master of arts the degree master of science is granted to the following candidates nicholas anthony johnny venetorio jr. chrissa albert molly bightman stacey durbarow danielle eichelberger kathryn faunce jenna katsi austin jones fadazi kanigunarara terry dickinson lama margaret sevin jenna margaret sarah powell nicole gonglik nakita grove tamika tillery margaret waldinger julia dacheco elizabeth klasinski elizabeth mullowy that concludes the degree master of science the degree master of science in nursing is granted to the following candidates abigail benbow sandra crossen ryan seger megan smith tanya jones charan longmore charan west teresa walsh barbara strain susan perry belisha romio antoinette davis lakia nobles susanette evins marine swain anmarie white julia wilkinson this completes the degree master of science in nursing now if i may i'd like to ask all the graduates to please rise we also like to recognize our faculty who have mentored these students in their studies and the staff who have supported them along the way and now with those all important guests of our graduates rise so that the members of the graduating class of 2021 may express their gratitude to all of you i now invite current president of the alumni board of governors joanne mcadams osborne class of 1984 to come forward and induct this year's graduates into the immaculata university alumni association thank you president latire class faculty and staff of immaculata graduates please turn to page 28 of the program and join me in reciting the alumni pledge let us say the alumni pledge we the class of 2021 as members of the immaculata university alumni association promise to uphold traditions of the association and the university to support the university in its endeavors to uphold its academic excellence to maintain personal involvement in its activities to foster an active relationship with the university community and to live lives that clearly reflect the high ideals and the mission of immaculata university i welcome you to the immaculata university alumni association congratulations well we're about to wrap up here tonight and once again i'd like to congratulate and thank the graduates their family and friends i'd like to also extend very heartfelt thanks to our faculty administration all the volunteers and staff and here i need to tell you that last year we weren't able to do this that was very sad but this year we figured out a way and through the hard work of our academic affairs team our facilities folks our IT folks security i can go on and on they deserve a huge round of applause thank you the academic recessional will begin after the benediction and the singing of the alma mater after the alma mater i ask the audience to please please remain in place until the board of trustees the administration and the faculty have processed out of the tent now sister mary she will offer the benediction let us unine our hearts in prayer and entrust our graduates into the hands of our god who created them and loves them may god be with you in your ongoing search for truth may god give you courage to do the right thing in the face of difficulties and challenges may god give you the grace to make wise choices and be faithful to your commitments may god bless you as you work to promote justice and peace in our world may god guide you to be the positive change for those suffering from poverty discrimination violence or injustice may god inspire you to do the loving thing in response to all encounters may you always remember you are a member of the immaculata community and we continue to support and pray for you we ask you good and gracious god to hold our graduates close and be with them each step of their journey empower them to walk into the future with faith hope and love guided by your spirit to do good always in this world this is our prayer as you bless them in abundance. Amen