News Release

Contact: Jeri Kornegay
Director of Media and Public Relations
260-982-5285  jskornegay@manchester.edu

The Class of 2012

Graduation 2012: Manchester's newest graduates

share their applause with faculty, family

Speakers for the 123rd Graduation Day at Manchester College expressed tearful gratitude and gave serious advice. The new graduates shared applause – for fellow graduates, for their parents and families, and for faculty. That joyous, stomping-on-the-floor applause when their professors proceeded into the arena may start a new tradition, suggested one grinning student.

In addition to 256 bachelor’s degrees and two Master of Athletic Training degrees, Manchester conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Herbert Chinworth, who attended Manchester two years in the early 1940s and never let go.

The retired Dow Chemical Co. scientist supervised a catalyst plant in Ludington, Mich. He holds degrees from Purdue University and University of Michigan, and is a longtime benefactor and friend of Manchester. His pride in his new Manchester degree evident, Chinworth told the Class of 2012: “When you have a degree from Manchester College, you have something of real value.

"When you accounting students, prospective med students, social workers, business majors, education majors and all across the disciplines, begin to find your way into the world of work, the response will be similar: ‘Oh, Manchester – that’s a good education. You’re ready; you’re qualified.’ This is your legacy. This is a well-earned degree. I am honored to be counted among you.”

President Jo Young Switzer talked about the graduates’ legacy in her baccalaureate address: “Take with you the goodness that you’ve experienced here – and combine it with the learning you’ve accomplished. Take all these things and make the world better. As you do, the world will be transformed … You have a weighty and wonderful responsibility on your shoulders to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Summa cum laude graduate Natalie Collar, who delivered the “Response” from the Class of 2012, had much to say about faculty:

“Our professors – they give us their cell phone numbers and tell us to call or text if we have questions over assignments; they write impeccable recommendation letters on short notice; they invite us over to eat – or live at – their houses; they even adopt us as their own children for a few weeks to take us off campus to see The Alhambra, The Louvre, Stonehenge, Dunn’s River Falls, Disney World, or Ciudad Antigua, all for the sake of a hands-on education.”

Sunday was the last Manchester College commencement; Manchester becomes a University on July 1. The faculty in the procession also included five from the new School of Pharmacy. Four years from now, they’ll graduate their first class of Doctor of Pharmacy degree holders.

Class of 2012

    ***summa cum laude  **magna cum laude  *cum laude

Commencement 2012
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