Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff

There are few experiences that match the feeling of completing a college degree – undergraduate, masters, or doctoral. For our students who are finishing up their requirements for their degree, and were planning to mark the occasion at our commencement ceremony next month, there is deep disappointment; after all of their struggles, all of their hard work, fulfilling so many shared goals, they will not be able to participate in May as all of us had planned. 

Today, I am formally inviting them, and their family and friends, to our Commencement in May 2021. They are receiving this invitation today in a separate email, along with details about next steps, and details about our COR of Commencement. This special delivery sent to them in no way will replace the joy and celebration of our Commencement. We do pray that it reminds them of the enormous accomplishment of earning a college degree – at every level.

I continue to work closely with Margaret Noreuil, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs/Academic Dean, as we navigate these challenging waters. If I had been blessed to confer degrees at that most important academic ceremony, this is what I would have shared with the graduates, and all in attendance:

“Congratulations, dear Graduates, all of you who have studied so long and so hard to arrive at this moment! You have been smart, hard-working, curious and challenging. You have searched for Truth in every class. As you begin the journey, diploma in hand, to another road in your life, I am confident that you will take with you the values that have found their space deep within you at Edgewood College, the values of Truth, Justice, Compassion, Partnership and Community. I am confident that your life will reflect these values, and that these values will return to you as well. I am confident that you will each be a blessing to all those you come in contact with, as you are committed to building a just and compassionate world.” 

I am also in touch with our incoming President, Dr. Andrew Manion. He asked if he too might send a message to those completing their degrees, and includes a generous proposition:

I have not met any of you yet, but I share your disappointment that we have had to cancel commencement this year. That said, I believe each of you has earned your moment on the stage in front of your loved ones, being honored for the accomplishment of earning your degree. So, I have worked with the commencement committee to come up with a way for you to do so. When the “Safer at Home” order has been lifted or modified to allow small group gatherings, every graduating student will be invited to arrange a short, private commencement ceremony with me. 

We will do these throughout the summer. When you sign up for a day and time, you and your family will be invited to my office, where you will be in cap and gown, I will confer your degree, and pictures will be taken as I hand you your diploma. You will be asked to “move your tassel to the left” as is traditional, and you will receive the Dominican Blessing. The whole “ceremony” will be about 5 minutes. While this won’t have quite the pomp and circumstance of a full-scale commencement ceremony, it will be personalized for you and should be a memorable experience for you and your family (and you won’t have to sit through speeches).

Of course, if you cannot make it to Madison for a private ceremony, Dr. Gevelinger and I look forward to welcoming you to Commencement in May 2021, where you will be specially honored. Congratulations on persevering through the strangest spring semester in history, and on the completion of your degree.

-Andrew P. Manion, Ph.D.

I hope that you, like me, appreciate Dr. Manion’s reaching out to our graduates this way.

Thank you for the role each of you plays in making our community one that models compassion and partnership. As we’ve said before these are new and challenging times, and it’s important that we hold each other in our hearts.

Best wishes for all of you for a strong finish to this semester, and be well.