430 SENIORS TO RECEIVE DIPLOMAS AT CR ICE ARENA
By Brittany Hubler
Staff Writer
On May 20, 2012 Mount Mercy University will say goodbye to approximately 430 of its 544 graduating seniors as they accept their diplomas at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.
President Blake has chosen the keynote guest speaker to be Mount Mercy alum. This year he selected Mary Schulte LoVerde, a medical researcher and author of many award-winning books. LoVerde graduated from Mount Mercy in 1975 from the nursing department and since then her reputation has gone global. LoVerde has been a guest on Oprah, has been a featured life-balance expert on World News Tonight and 20/20 and has written articles in well-known magazines such as The Wall Street Journal.
"The how for the keynote is that the President considers a number of different individuals in consultation with different departments, said Dianne Austad, Executive Assistant to the President. "The speaker's particular interests and message must be able to relate to the success and challenges associated with being a Mount Mercy student and graduate."
There is also a student speaker that is chosen by a sub-committee of the Ceremonial Committee.
"A sub-committee invites graduating seniors to submit an outline of the speech they would give if chosen, said Austad. "The Sub-Committee reviews all of the submissions anonymously and then makes its selection without knowing the writer."
There are many events on Commencement day that graduates, their family and other students are welcome to attend. There will be a Commencement Mass held in the Chapel of Mercy on the morning of Commencement. Following the mass from 10:30-11:30 a.m. a brunch will be held in the dining center. Reservations are required and the cost is $7.50 per person. The menu consists of various pastries, breakfast pizza, eggs, hash browns, French toast, and more.
There will also be a celebration picnic at 3:30 p.m. following commencement on the Mount Mercy Campus. Graduates and family are encouraged to attend, and all food and beverages are free. The menu includes hamburgers, hot dogs, cookies, various salads, and more. Guests can also enjoy lawn games, photo booths and music by Aeroroot.
Karla Stuecker, Director of Institutional Events, welcomes all students to attend the Commencement activities and predicts with the large graduating class size all of the Commencement activities will be attended.
"The various Commencement Activities offer a great opportunity for the Mount Mercy community to congratulate the graduates and celebrate their accomplishments with them and with their families," Stuecker said.
Stuecker is predicting this years Commencement celebration will be the largest gathering on campus during the course of the weekend. She is expecting more than 1,200 people in attendance.
Melody Graham, Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs is looking forward to helping graduates celebrate their accomplishments.
"Commencement is such a wonderful celebration and I can't wait to celebrate with our students and their families and friends," she said.
If you are interested in volunteering to help at the Commencement Ceremony and the Celebration please contact Karla Stuecker via email at kstuecker@mtmercy.edu.
If you plan to attend any of the Commencement activities and haven't registered, please return an RSVP card to the Event Services located in Warde, 104A no later than May 10. You can also register online at http://www.mtmercy.edu/rsvp-commencement.
If you are wanting more information regarding Mount Mercy's 2012 Commencement or activities please go to http://mtmercy.edu/commencement.
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See the full issue! Click on the link "Issue 20" located in the upper left to see what our senior Times staff members will be up to after graduation. Also, graduating seniors from different majors tell their stories about their experience at MMU.
