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Westminster Confers More than 275 Undergraduate Degrees and Five Masters Degrees

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Posted on Monday, May 18, 2015

Last week, Westminster College celebrated the 161st Commencement ceremonies with over 275 students earning undergraduate diplomas and five receiving master’s degrees.

During the Baccalaureate service, faculty, family, friends and the graduating class of 2015 filled every seat. As students sat together, all suited in black gowns, graduation caps, tassels of all colors, and honors ropes and sashes, they listened to insights from Dr. John Ryan ‘90, director of youth & family ministries at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Ga. His speech, titled “You’ll Figure It Out When You Get There,” brought tears to some and a sense of peace to most.

In the afternoon, students were escorted to their seats that rested on the brick-lined Senior Terrace outside of Old Main. The Commencement ceremony began with an opening declaration from Thomas A. Tupitza ‘79, chair of the Board of Trustees and a special welcome from Dr. Richard H. Dorman, president of the College.

Dr. Terri Lenox, mathematics and computer science department chair, introduced the honorary doctorate, doctor of science, honoris causa, which was presented to the Honorable JoAnn Lynn Pasacic Balzer ‘63, Trustee of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Balzer shared her thoughts to the graduating class in her speech entitled “The Power of YOU.”

“This graduation today is more special than all the rest, as it is being held in a place that holds deep and precious memories for me and brings me back to my own college years when I got my degree and started on my life’s journey,” said Balzer. “Westminster today is indeed ‘More than I Imagined,” and I want to applaud those who have been involved in moving the College forward for a job well done.” Balzer continued by saying, “Westminster is not just a top college; it is the best college.”

Balzer earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Westminster, and a master’s degree in mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University. After teaching college mathematics, and retiring after twenty-five years at IBM in systems engineering and advanced technology, she started her second career in the arts, non-profit management and development. 

“My call to you is that you continue to make a difference throughout your life and to make the world a better place – with your family, your community, your church or on the global stage,” continued Balzer.

Haley S. Barger, a 2015 graduate and English major, was chosen by her graduating class to deliver the senior commencement speech.

“Try as I might to fathom what my life would be like had I not chosen to attend Westminster - I can’t ever seem to manage it, for the fact is, had I gone anywhere else, I wouldn’t be the person who I am today,” said Barger. “I would not understand what it means to thirst for knowledge, or to have that thirst quenched by some of the most remarkably nurturing educators in existence. I would not understand my value as a human being, or the importance of empathy.”

Commencement highlights are available at www.wcn247.com. For more information about Westminster College, visit www.westminster.edu.