WILMINGTON — Wilmington College will confer 254 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at its 141st Commencement Saturday, May 13.
The annual ceremony marks the culmination of both the academic year and these students’ undergraduate careers, and is the focal point of several events held earlier in the week in which the graduating seniors joined together a final time to reflect upon, appreciate and celebrate their time at Wilmington College.
Those included the “Zero Year Reunion” Thursday evening at Generations Pizzeria and, on Friday morning, the soon-to-be-graduates attended the annual Baccalaureate ceremony, an event designed for them to reflect upon their experience at the College, followed by their final meal together at the Senior Lunch.
WC’s Cincinnati Branch students joined their main campus counterparts for Commencement rehearsal Friday afternoon, which concluded with a class photo.
President Jim Reynolds will preside over the Commencement ceremony and present the address. Class member Elyse M. Spraul will introduce the president after an invocation by campus minister Nancy McCormick and welcome from senior Chavon W. Hines. Presenting student remarks will be Megan L. Canfield and Katy M. Dimmerling, representing the main campus and Cincinnati Branch, respectively.
Erika Goodwin, vice president for academic affairs, will announce academic honors and awards before special music presented by graduating class member Theresa Knopf and College Chorale director Gina Beck.
Handling the conferring of degrees will be Reynolds and Goodwin, along with registrar Sue Hutchens and Robert Touchton, chair, Board of Trustees. 1973 graduate Don Muchmore will confer the graduates’ membership in 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 2017 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.
The College will live-stream the Commencement ceremony via its website at www.wilmington.edu.
