?This is a time to be grateful for your gifts,? Bishop Nelson Perez told the members of Notre Dame College?s undergraduate class of 2018. ?Everything you have is a gift,? he told them, including their lives. ?You talk about ?your room? on campus, but you?re leaving and someone else will be there on Monday. It really isn?t yours.?
The bishop addressed the graduates, their family and friends, and the faculty and staff of Notre Dame College during the annual baccalaureate liturgy on May 4, the day before graduation. He also participated in the college?s traditional undergraduate hooding ceremony before Mass.
?God knows what you?ve done, where you are and where you?ll be in the future,? he said. ?What you?ve done was not done alone. You had help from many people, including your parents, family, friends and teachers and the Sisters of Notre Dame. Be sure to thank them and to grateful,? the bishop said.
He commented on one graduate?s cap, which was decorated with the words, ?Daddy, I did it.? The bishop said each of us has a story, a narrative, and for the graduates, it?s the beginning.
?Some of you will keep your education going and earn a master?s degree; some may go on for a doctorate while others may get jobs. Your narrative is being written. It?s about the depth of your love, the integrity of your character and how you treat others. It includes those who will cross your path. You have an opportunity to touch their lives,? Bishop Perez said.
?Don?t underestimate the power of your human touch on others,? he added.
The bishop shared some thoughts from Pope Francis when he addressed more than 2 million people at World Youth Day in Poland. ?The Holy Father said God expects something from you. Have you understood that? God hopes in you. He comes to open the doors of our lives, to open all that keeps us closed in. He wants you to dream, wants you to know you can change things,? he said.
The pope ?wants you to use your hands to build the world,? Bishop Perez said. ?Education is a wonderful gift,? he said, advising them to use their talents and gifts to make a difference.
The Mass was concelebrated by Father Edward Mehok, Father Anselm Zupka, OSB and Father John Blazek. Master of ceremonies was Deacon John Sferry.
Grand marshal of the entrance procession was Louise Prochaska, professor of theology/women?s studies. Conferring of the academic hoods included Bishop Perez, Thomas Kruczek, Notre Dame College president; Vincent Palombo, vice president for academic and student affairs; Ronald Matthews, dean of academic programs and Tera Johnson, dean of students and Title IX coordinator. They were assisted by Estamarie Fairchild, assistant professor of management/information systems; Pamela Phillips, assistant professor of finance; John Przybs, assistant professor of sport management and Glenn Siniscalchi, assistant professor of theology.
The college?s 94th commencement was May 5, with nearly 300 students receiving degrees, including the first graduates of the online Master of Science in nursing degree. There were 223 undergraduate and 58 masters? degrees granted in three ceremonies.
Bachelor?s degrees included 56 in business, 44 in arts and humanities, 45 in nursing, 41 in science and mathematics and 37 in education. In addition to six Master of Science in nursing degrees, there also were 43 Master of Education degrees and nine Master of Arts in national security and intelligence studies.
Notre Dame College was founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922 and offers bachelor?s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master?s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online.
