Plenty of Cheer at College Commencement
For thousands of graduates across the country every year, “Pomp and Circumstance” is both literally and figuratively music to their ears, signaling the end of—or at least a break in—their long, academic march. (In fact, the music is literally a march, part of a series of military marches composed by Sir Edward Elgar.) This year’s College graduates were no exception, thrilling to the strains that have come to signal both a meaningful end and an exciting beginning.
In all, 134 graduates make up the Class of 2012. Most of them (117) earned a BA; 17 received a BS. Though their next steps will scatter them around the world, strong bonds of friendship will keep many united. Indeed, their respect for and joy in each other’s accomplishments was especially evident in the long, loud, even raucous applause for their classmate, Emily Sander, who earned two top awards—the Charles F. Buckwalter Athletic and Academic Honors Award and the Phi Alpha Eta Award. Though not unprecedented, it is unusual for the same student to win both of these awards.*
Acknowledging the many and varied accomplishments of the entire class, College President Jonathan Palmer offered this wish, or blessing: “My hope for you is that you will always be able to find that quiet and thoughtful place where you can remember and rejoice and feel the strength and power of the assurance, ‘Peace, be still’” (Mark 4:39).
Next, Dr. Palmer introduced the commencement speaker, Chaplain (Col.) (Ret.) Janet Yarlott Horton. The first woman in the Army Chaplain Corps to be assigned as a Division or Corps-level Supervisory Chaplain and the first woman to attain the grade of Colonel in the Army Chaplain Corps, Horton also served two tours at the Pentagon. During one of these, she prayed in the Pentagon Courtyard with those injured on 9/11. Horton offered graduates a “top ten list of observations,” many of which were Biblically based. She described these observations as tried and true guides at “important junctures” throughout her military career. (You may listen to the entire commencement ceremony, including Horton’s address, on Principia Internet Radio, under Principia College Downloadable Radio Programs.)
Last, but certainly not least, the graduates received their diplomas, each one crossing the stage individually to the tune of hearty applause and cheers. Once they all had diplomas in hand, they moved their tassels from right to left and happily cheered each other one final time.
Congratulations, Class of 2012!
*The Buckwalter Award is presented to the senior athlete with the highest GPA (3.5 or better) who has earned four varsity letters in a single sport at the College. The Phi Alpha Eta award goes to the senior with the highest GPA who has completed at least 90 semester hours at the College. Emily earned a BA with a double major in Spanish and mathematics, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She lettered four years as a cross-country runner and two years as a diver.