December is a busy time for some seniors, and not just because of Christmas. On December 18 in the McKenna Center gymnasium, approximately 150 Seton Hill University (SHU) students will graduate, ready to begin working in their chosen field or entering into graduate schools. Many of the graduates will be adult or graduate school students, many of whom have worked hard and given up their valuable time in order to pursue their academic goals.
Mary Ann Gawelek, vice president for academic affairs, said, �These students should be recognized for the significant sacrifices made in regards to their families.�
By Vanessa Kolberg,
Staff Writer
December is a busy time for some seniors, and not just because of Christmas. On December 18 in the McKenna Center gymnasium, approximately 150 Seton Hill University (SHU) students will graduate, ready to begin working in their chosen field or entering into graduate schools. Many of the graduates will be adult or graduate school students, many of whom have worked hard and given up their valuable time in order to pursue their academic goals.
Mary Ann Gawelek, vice president for academic affairs, said, �These students should be recognized for the significant sacrifices made in regards to their families.�
December’s commencement will be marked by a keynote speaker, although at this time, the speaker has yet to be determined. Graduation speakers are voted on through a list of nominations from faculty and staff and this year’s will be chosen shortly after Thanksgiving break. Graduation, while exciting for students, is also a time of mixed emotions. Although many are eager to finally begin working or school, others are also sad at what they are leaving behind.
�I will miss my friends and some of the faculty members the most,� said a graduating psychology major, Katie Graff.
�I�m also happy because I want to be done, but nervous because I still have a lot to accomplish before graduation,� said Graff.
Graduation can also mean drastic changes for some seniors, such as transitioning from one country to another. A senior voice major, Miho Shimizu came to SHU from a sister school in Japan two years ago. Instead of going back to Japan immediately to continue singing, she would rather stay in America for graduate school.
�Coming to Seton Hill has made me tougher and much more independent. Getting used to the culture was also hard, too,� said Shimizu.
Regardless of where the Class of 2006 graduates go or what schools they attend, each will be prepared to make their mark due to their education at SHU.
�Every commencement allows me to think and reflect on how hard our faculty works to create good learning environments for our students,� said Gawelek.
The students echo this feeling and will remember the professors, students, and faculty who made their time at SHU memorable.
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