Aquinas College Commencement 2023

On May 6, Aquinas College’s 61^st commencement ceremony began with the grace of a Baccalaureate Mass in the Aquinas Center, celebrated by the Dominican Campus chaplain, the Reverend Mark Chrismer.  Thus fortified, the graduates then received the wise advice of this year’s Commencement speaker, Sister Christine Born, O.P.  Sister Christine, a member of Aquinas’s first graduating class in 1963, and former Chair of the Board of Directors, spoke of the priority of being a Christian and living a Christian life.  She observed that many commencement addresses this month will speak about graduates’ accomplishments and what they will do moving forward, but the essence of life is “not about what you must do or accomplish but what you must become.”  That becoming follows and springs from Christ, and takes place principally in the heart of the person, the place of covenant by which we live in relationship with God and with others.  She recommended prioritizing contemplative prayer and cognizance of others in the daily living of one’s vows, whether marital vows or religious.

Family of the graduates, and friends, faculty and staff of Aquinas celebrated the occasion with a festive luncheon, so that the day was appropriately marked with grace, dignity, wisdom, and community.

Richard DeBusk received a Bachelor of Arts in History, Sister Moana Grace, O.P. a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, and Sisters Lydia Marie, Evelyn Rose, Maria Trinity, and Caterina Joy, O.P. all received a Master of Arts in Teaching. Congratulations, graduates!