Nearly 300 Graduate At Winter Commencement
Almost 300 graduates earned degrees from Rockhurst University during its 105th commencement ceremony Sunday afternoon.
The December commencement ceremony was the third since the University revived the tradition in 2020. In the historic Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, graduates and the audience heard from two student speakers chosen from a list of nominations submitted by faculty and staff — a Rockhurst tradition.
This year, the undergraduate representative was Nhukim Nguyen, a biochemistry major and psychology minor and first-generation Vietnamese-American who completed her degree in 3-1/2 years. In her speech, Nguyen recounted how much college life had changed in just the years they had been on campus – from the promise of college life as a freshman to COVID shutdowns and the adaptations that happened as a result of the pandemic, she praised her fellow students.
“As I stand here today, I see this room filled with perseverance, optimism, ambition and boldness. It was a common trend throughout our time together at Rockhurst that we experienced many obstacles to overcome; however, in the midst of the obstacles came victories — big and small — that we shared together,” she said. “We created new friendships, got job offers, passed those challenging courses, cheered on our student athletes, and finished those procrastinated homework assignments. Through the love from our families, the laughter from our friends, and the knowledge from our professors, it has been a pleasure embarking these past three and a half years alongside you all.”
On the graduate side, the speaker was Jessica Davis, a Master of Education degree candidate and Ed.D. student who is a third-grade teacher at Notre Dame de Sion. She is also a mother of three children who taught through the COVID-19 pandemic. Davis described making the decision to get back into the classroom and how she relied on the support of friends, family, fellow students and faculty as she continued her education, which provided her with so much in addition to her degree.
“My time at Rockhurst has been everything an education should be and so much more. I have been nurtured and pushed to be my become my best self,” she said. “Rockhurst has truly been an education for the total person: mind, body, and spirit.”
In addition to celebrating the graduates, the ceremony also included recognition of the Senior Gold Medal winner — the graduate with the highest cumulative GPA for their years in college. Margaret Ann McElhose, who earned a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders. And the University awarded one posthumous degree to Tina Sue Everson, who died in May.
Rockhurst’s President, Sandra Cassady, Ph.D., closed the ceremony by thanking the families and others who supported the graduates and by giving the graduates themselves some words of advice.
“Like the alumni who have gone before you, it is now your turn to take your Rockhurst University education into your future, to serve God and your communities and to accompany others,” she said. “And wherever life takes you, hold this thought close to your heart. Your connection with Rockhurst University will not end today. Rockhurst will always be a part of you, and you will always be a part of Rockhurst University, something we will hold close to our hearts. Congratulations and may God bless you on your way.”
