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The Class of
2008
Graduation speakers urge:
Welcome others, welcome change
Welcome strangers as a way of life, approach the future with an open mind for change, apply your learning … and heartfelt “Thanks!” were the messages of Graduation Day 2008 at Manchester College.
The College awarded a master’s of accountancy, 153 bachelor of science degrees, 37 bachelor of arts degrees, two associates degrees and two honorary degrees on a cool, breezy afternoon. Thirty of the students graduated with honor, including Sarah R. Hall of Roaring Spring, Pa.
“Through Manchester, I have been given the space to ponder, to question, to grow into an adult,” said Hall, who received a bachelor of arts degree in peace studies. “Without you, my family, my friends, my professors and mentors, I would not be the woman I am today,” she told graduating seniors, family and friends at the baccalaureate service.” I know my beliefs will continue to evolve, and my passions may change, but I am content in knowing that, and am anxious to try my hand at ‘the real world.’ ”
President Jo Young Switzer urged the graduating class to open their hearts and minds, just as the College community did to them when they arrived on campus four years ago. She recalled Paul and Mary Grandstaff of North Manchester, who invited Manchester College students into their home for Sunday dinner for more than 40 years, the dinner table surrounded at the beginning with a few students, and some evenings with 100 young diners. “What happens to us and to our community when we choose to make welcoming strangers a way of life? It’s been at the heart of Manchester College for 119 years,” said Switzer.
Loren Finnell, a 1964 graduate of the College who with his wife founded the philanthropic network Resource Foundation, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Finnell, a North Manchester native who took advantage of the recent birth of the Peace Corps upon graduation from the College to do service in Ecuador, urged the graduates to take some chances.
Accounting graduate Mo Abu Zayda of Ramallah
thanks his mother |
“Whatever your area of interest may be, I challenge you to go forth and apply your learning and experiences from Manchester College,” Finnell said. “Be committed and do not be afraid to break new ground. Most of all, be kind, considerate and understanding of your fellow human beings, and of the earth that God has given us.”
The Resource Foundation was “borderline failure” for the first eight years, “and there were many days when quitting would have been the easy way out and nobody would have blamed me,” Finnell said. Today, a healthy foundation annually helps more than 5 million individuals in 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries with more than $10 million in grants.
Also receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters was Donald E. Miller of Richmond, Ind., who attended the College in the late 40s but transferred to another school. The theologian and author is a former member of the College’s Board of Trustees. Now, he has a degree from Manchester College – honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.
“We need to approach the future with an open mind for change, be willing to accept challenges, and continually seek opportunities where we can impact the world around us,” said Sarah L. Conwell in her class response. “Manchester College has given us the tools we need; it is now up to us to use them.” Conwell, of Kokomo, graduated with high honors and a bachelor of science degree in accounting and management.
Class of 2008
***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude
Graduate Degree Major
City
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Mohammed Abu Zayda |
BS |
Accounting |
Ramallah, West Bank |
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Farida Adam |
BS |
Political Science |
N. Manchester, Ind. |
|
David Allen |
BS |
Accounting |
Salem, Ind. |
|
Jennifer Allen |
BS |
Communication Studies |
Wheatfield, Ind. |
|
Jason Andorfer |
BS |
Biology |
Dyer, Ind. |
|
Brent Ash |
BS |
Marketing |
Indianapolis |
|
Bruce Bainbridge |
BS |
Environmental Studies |
Marion, Ind. |
|
Christopher Ball |
BS |
Marketing |
Bristol, Ind. |
|
Cornelius Bambo |
BS |
Physical Education |
Indianapolis |
|
Jennifer Bauman***
|
BS |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Rochester, Ind. |
|
Stephanie Bennett |
BS |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Peru, Ind. |
|
Laura Beutler |
BA |
English |
Roann, Ind. |
|
Elizabeth Binkley* |
BA |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Goshen, Ind. |
|
Leticia Bitner |
BS |
Psychology |
Tipton, Ind. |
|
Ashley Bogue |
BS |
Sociology |
Kokomo, Ind. |
|
Jerome Bostic |
BS |
Psychology |
Fort Wayne, Ind. |
|
Melissa Bower |
BS |
Psychology |
Franklin, Ind. |
|
Courtney Branscomb |
BS |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Huntington, Ind. |
|
Sabrina Brinkmeier |
BS |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Pearl City, Ill. |
|
Rosalie Brubaker |
BS |
Communication Studies |
South Bend, Ind. |
|
Lindsey Bryant*
|
BA |
Psychology |
Monon, Ind. |
|
Natasha Bryant |
BS |
Education |
Fort Wayne, Ind. |
|
Elizabeth Burkholder |
BS |
Biology |
Brownsburg, Ind. |
|
Amy Byrket |
BS |
Accounting |
Wakarusa, Ind. |
|
Kristen Caldwell |
BS |
General Business |
Fort Wayne, Ind. |
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William Caldwell |
BS |
Finance |
Kokomo, Ind. |
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Amy Carnahan |
BS |
Environmental Studies |
Holgate, Ohio |
|
Shaun Carrico |
BS |
Psychology |
Marion, Ind. |
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Rachael Carson |
BA |
Education |
Warsaw, Ind. |
|
Georgi Chunev**
|
BA |
Computer Science/Math |
Sofia, Bulgaria |
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Kyle Cline |
BS |
Psychology |
Mishawaka, Ind. |
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Jeanna Collins* |
BA |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Bourbon, Ind. |
|
Sarah Conwell** |
BS |
Accounting/Management |
Kokomo, Ind. |
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Brittany Cook |
BA |
Music Education |
Etna Green, Ind. |
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Tyler Corn |
BS |
Physics |
Clayton, Ind. |
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Aaron Cripe |
BS |
Mathematics |
Goshen, Ind. |
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Mary Cullen |
BS |
Biology-Chemistry |
Columbia City, Ind. |
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Carrie Darnell |
BS |
Social Work |
South Bend, Ind. |
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Thomas Davidson |
BS |
Physical Education |
Fort Wayne, Ind. |
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Darcy Davidson** |
BA |
History |
Auburn, Ind. |
|
Elizabeth Davis |
BS |
Marketing |
New Albany, Ind. |
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Tarran Day |
BS |
Psychology |
Tipton, Ind. |
|
Holly DeNeve** |
BS |
Political Science |
New Carlisle, Ind. |
|
Amanda Dennis |
BS |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Vevay, Ind. |
|
Zachary Dommer |
BS |
Marketing |
New Haven, Ind. |
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Doncho Donchev |
BS |
Finance |
Huntington, Ind. |
|
Drema Drudge |
BS |
English |
N. Manchester, Ind. |
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Valerie Drudge |
BS |
Education |
Claypool, Ind. |
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Jena Eichenlaub |
BA |
Music |
Kendallville, Ind. |
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Anna Emrick |
BS |
Nonprofit Management |
Mason, Mich. |
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Julie Eslinger |
BS |
Accounting |
Granger, Ind. |
|
Elizabeth Fall |
BS |
Biology-Chemistry |
Indianapolis |
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Rebecca Flanders*** |
BS |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Ada, Mich. |
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Jesse Flynn |
BS |
Management |
Rochester, Ind. |
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Jerry Ford |
BA |
Athletic Training |
Lafayette, Ind. |
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Rena Freiburger |
BS |
Education/Mild Intervention |
Huntington, Ind. |
|
Megan Frick |
BS |
Communication Studies |
Wawaka, Ind. |
|
Yvonne Gicheru |
BS |
Biology-Chemistry |
Nakuru, Kenya |
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Chet Gilbert |
BS |
History |
Angola, Ind. |
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Jacob Grady |
BS |
Social Work |
N. Manchester, Ind. |
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Andrea Graft |
BS |
Marketing |
Garrett, Ind. |
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Whitney Gray |
BS |
Social Work |
Pendleton, Ind. |
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Christopher Greenwood |
BS |
History |
Lawrenceburg, Ind. |
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Sarah Grieb |
BA |
English |
Kokomo, Ind. |
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Nathan Grier |
BS |
Philosophy |
Wabash, Ind. |
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Kelli Griewank |
BS |
Psychology |
Plymouth, Ind. |
|
Elizabeth Grindstaff* |
BA |
Biology-Chemistry |
Butlerville, Ind. |
|
Nathan Grotrian |
BS |
Education |
Millersburg, Ind. |
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Laurie Grube |
BS |
Educational Studies |
Akron, Ind. |
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Andrew Haff* |
BS |
History |
Westminster, Md. |
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