Celebrating Grads and a College Milestone
Family and friends gathered in Cox Auditorium on Saturday, May 12, to celebrate and honor this year’s seniors. In all, 115 graduates make up the Class of 2018, 96 of whom received BAs and 19, BS degrees. Following the ceremony, jubilant graduates met well-wishers on the Chapel Green for photos and refreshments.
Presiding over the festivities this year, Dr. Duncan Charters expressed appreciation for the exceptional leadership shown by members of the graduating class in academics, athletics, and student activities.
Dr. Michael Hamilton, executive director of the Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston, delivered the commencement address, encouraging graduates to consider Joseph in the Bible as a role model for a life of purpose and service to others. “Whatever others thought, Joseph’s core was not compromised, even when he was sold as a slave into Egypt,” Hamilton said. “This was surely not the internship Joseph had planned, but he did his best where he was, and that prepared him to take the next step. Understanding who we really are in truth and why we matter will make us more humane and truthful, interested in others, and useful in our world.”
Commencement was the culmination of several days of activities, including speeches by graduating international students and the awards and Baccalaureate ceremonies in Cox Auditorium. At the latter, four seniors (chosen by their peers)—Brie Burns, Robby Butler, Vanessa Ramirez-Jasso, and Nik Peschke—shared highlights of their experiences at the College. Cha Cha Fisher and Shane Witters Hicks served as senior class marshals. All events were livestreamed; you may view them here.
With this year’s commencement, Principia marked a milestone—graduating its 10,000th four-year degree recipient since 1934, when the College began conferring four-year degrees. The Class of 2018 brought the count to 10,083.
Hear from some of our 2018 graduates about where they’re heading next, including Harvard Graduate School of Education and positions at Dell, Google, Boeing, and more.