Aquinas College Celebrates 62nd Commencement Ceremony

Aquinas College marked a significant milestone with its Baccalaureate Mass and Sixty-second Commencement Ceremony held on Thursday, May 2, 2024. The Most Rev. J. Mark Spalding, J.C.L., presided over the Mass as the main celebrant and delivered the homily. Other clergy members, including Rev. Mark Chrismer, Rev. Luke Wilgenbusch, and Rev. Gervan Menezes, concelebrated the Mass, with Rev. Rhodes Bolster serving as the Master of Ceremonies. Seminarians from the Diocese of Nashville served as altar servers and members of the schola.

Dr. G. Edward Gaffney delivered the Commencement Address, inspiring the graduates as they embarked on the next chapter of their lives. Sister Cecilia Anne Wanner, O.P., President of Aquinas College, conferred degrees upon the candidates, who were presented by Sister Mary Edith Humphrise, O.P., Vice President for Academics.

Aquinas College bestows bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon individuals who are equipped to “teach, preach, and witness to Truth and Charity, for the salvation of souls and the transformation of culture.” Distinguished graduates included Drew Timmermeier (B.A. History), Susan Kennedy (B.S. Elementary Education), Daniel Kane (B.S. History – Secondary Education), and Sister Agnes Rose MacKellar, O.P. (B.S. History – Secondary Education). Graduates receiving their Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) were: Sister Laura Immaculata Clarke, O.P. (Elementary Education), Sister Hannah Rose Dobson,  O.P. (Elementary Education), Sister Gloria Christi Bereit, O.P. (Secondary Education), Sister Lily Anne Camaioni,  O.P. (Secondary Education), and Conor McWilliams,  O.P. (Secondary Education).

The ceremony also included the recognition of faculty member Dr. Betsy Donlon, who was promoted to Associate Professor of Education, and Sister Jean Marie Warner, O.P., who was promoted to Adjunct Assistant Professor. Additionally, eight seminarians were recognized for completing the Certificate in Propaedeutic Studies, a program tailored for seminarians in the Diocese of Nashville who are in the Propaedeutic year of formation.

In her opening remarks, Sister Cecilia Anne reflected, “At Aquinas College, we embark on a sacred journey, shaping educators with a deep intellectual formation in the liberal arts and a solid professional formation in teaching. Through this educational preparation, our graduates emerge ready to teach and evangelize, touching countless souls each and every day. The Holy Spirit is truly at work, guiding and directing the work of our College. Together, we give thanks to God for the good that He has done, and continues to do, in and through Aquinas College to this day.”

Aquinas College looks forward to the continued success and impact of its graduates as they carry forth the mission of Truth and Charity into the world.