Upcoming graduates have been busy studying for finals, decorating their graduation caps and making arrangements to celebrate their special day with family and friends.
Commencement weekend is just around the corner and there are many graduation events to attend.
Friday, May 10, the nursing students will celebrate during the traditional nursing pinning ceremony at 4 p.m. at Newman University in the De Mattias Performance Hall.
Also on Friday, graduates, their families and guests are invited to attend Baccalaureate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The religious ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, May 10, and will include special readings and music. Reflections by hand-selected seniors will also be read.
Following Baccalaureate, all guests are invited to attend the President’s Reception at the Cathedral to enjoy refreshments and fellowship.
The 2019 Newman University commencement ceremony will be held May 11 at Central Community Church in Wichita located at 6100 W. Maple. The undergraduate ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. and the graduate ceremony at 3 p.m.
The ceremonies will include the presentation of diplomas, congratulatory remarks and a special commencement video inspired by Suzanne V.L. Berg, Ph.D.
Berg passed away suddenly during the 2018 spring semester and was honored posthumously with the Faculty Excellence Award. Traditionally, this award winner gives a speech at the commencement ceremony; congratulating graduates, giving them advice and motivating them to make a difference.
In Berg’s case, it was decided that a video commemorating her time at Newman and her impact on countless students, staff and faculty would be created.
Many who were impacted by Berg were interviewed for the video.
A vital member of the video creation committee, senior Amy Emerson said, “One of the points we stressed at our brainstorm sessions was that we want to create a video message that can relate to all graduates, not just those who knew Dr. Berg personally. Plus, there will be several families in attendance who may not have known her, either.”
The committee is striving to leave graduates with a message reminding them how important it is to take what they’ve learned in their time at Newman and go out and make the world a better place.
Emerson added, “We are blessed as a campus to have had such a powerful figure who was dedicated to teaching students and encouraging them to find their voices. We hope that this video will remind students of their value, not only as graduates of Newman University but as individuals who have the potential to make a positive difference in the world.”
