By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ARCHDIOCESE — Catholic institutions of higher learning in the archdiocese honored their graduates at commencement ceremonies throughout the month of May.

Commencement ceremonies for students at the College of Mount St. Joseph took place on May 10, at the Jean Patrice Harrington, SC, Student Center on the Mount’s campus. The Mount held two commencement ceremonies — one for the adult and master’s degree students, and the other for the traditional undergraduate students.

COURTESY PHOTO

Franciscan Sister Nancy Linenkugel (center), president of Chatfield College poses with those honored at the school’s 37th commencement ceremony — Steve Bayer and Frances G. Pepper.

Nick Clooney, journalist and former television anchor, addressed the traditional students at the afternoon ceremony, during which he was recognized for his dedication to the issues of human rights and ethics.

Both speakers were awarded honorary doctor of humane letters degrees.

Three students selected as MSJ Distinguished Students delivered addresses at each ceremony. The awards are presented to graduates who have demonstrated superior academic performance and participation in community service reflective of the mission of the college. The 2008 MSJ Distinguished Students were: Cathy Meyer, psychology major (adult student); Daniel Sutton, organizational leadership major (graduate student); and Alexandra Hamilton, communication studies major (traditional student).

Xavier University’s 170th commencement was held May 17 at the Cintas Center. Xavier awarded approximately 1,100 undergraduate diplomas and 1,050 graduate diplomas. This includes all students who have graduated during the last academic year.

The undergraduate ceremony’s speaker was Erich Kunzel, principal conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. Kunzel also was awarded a doctor of humane letters.

Jerome Gutzwiller, Jr., a 1998 graduate, received Xavier’s first Magis Award. This recognizes a Xavier undergraduate alumnus or alumna who, within 15 years of graduation, has achieved a high degree of excellence and embodies Jesuit morals and ethical values in his or her life.

Chatfield College’s 37th commencement ceremony was held May 10 at the St. Martin Campus in Brown County. Twenty-five students from both the St. Martin and the Findlay Market campus participated.

The commencement speaker was Frances G. Pepper, who also received an honorary doctorate degree. This award is given to an individual whose life and work reflect the ideals of Chatfield College — service, truth, and opportunity — all of which acknowledge the dignity and worth of each person. Pepper has served as a board member for the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati and is involved with schools, including serving on the board of Cincinnati Country Day School and the Citizens’ Advisory Committee of the Wyoming Schools.

The other award given was the 2007-2008 Distinguished Faculty Award, which went to Steve Bayer of Mount Washington, an instructor of photography and computer science and chairperson of the Information Technology Department, for his commitment to his students and outstanding service to Chatfield College.