Nearly 700 students to graduate from three Catholic colleges in archdiocese

Criterion staff report

Students, families and educators will join in the celebration as the three Catholic colleges in the archdiocese hold their graduation ceremonies in May.

Marian University

In another historic year for Marian University, 484 students are expected to graduate when the Indianapolis college holds its commencement at 10 a.m. on May 7 at the school’s St. Vincent Health Field.

For the first time, the university will confer degrees on students who studied nursing online in the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing degree program.

The commencement speaker will be Dr. Mercy Obeime, the director for community and global health at Franciscan St. Francis Health. She is also the founder of a charitable organization that provides healthcare outreach and education to people in her homeland of Nigeria. She will receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree during the commencement.

An honorary Doctor of Divinity degree will be awarded to Franciscan Sister Lavonne Long, a retired teacher, principal and guidance counselor who worked at Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis for 36 years.

Michael Simmons will receive an honorary Doctor of Business degree. Simmons is a former high school teacher who built a successful career as an information technology systems engineer and executive.

This year’s celebration marks the 74th annual commencement at the university, which was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College will celebrate its 170th commencement on May 7 when the 150 graduates of its Class of 2011 will be honored.

Graduates will receive their degrees during the ceremony that begins at 2 p.m. in the Cecilian Auditorium of the college’s Conservatory of Music.

The commencement speaker will be Benedictine Sister Patricia Crowley, a 35-year veteran in education and social service administration, who has worked tirelessly to help educate children and provide shelter and other services to the homeless and the elderly in Chicago. She currently serves as the prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago at St. Scholastica Monastery.

Sister Patricia will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology

Forty-three students are expected to receive master’s degrees when Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology holds its commencement at 2 p.m. central time on May 14.

The ceremony will take place in the Archabbey Church, where graduates will receive degrees that include Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Catholic Philosophical Studies, and Master of Arts in Catholic Thought and Life.

The commencement address will be given by Benedictine Abbot Martin Werlen of Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland, the abbey that founded Saint Meinrad Archabbey. †