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Walsh Celebrates Graduates at Winter Commencement

Walsh University celebrated the personal and professional accomplishments of 220 graduates with Baccalaureate Holy Mass and Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, December 15. 

Live Stream: Winter Commencement Ceremony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_MQQnZVrPQ&feature=youtu.be

Internationally renowned Catholic scholar and president of Donnelly College Msgr. Stuart Swetland served as Keynote Speaker and was presented with a Walsh University Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.  

“We must take a moment to reflect on the meaning and purpose of the good work God has begun in each of you, our honored graduates. You, as members of the Cav Nation, are known near and far for your commitment to community service. You are known, as your mission statement makes clear, for developing leaders in service to others. This you have learned from the history and example of the Brothers of Christian Instruction and by the words and deeds of your marvelous faculty and staff,” said Msgr. Swetland. “God has a plan for each one of you. Each of you is called to be holy, is called to be a saint. Each of you has a particular vocation, a unique way of serving this world that God has intended for you to do. Bring God and His love into where you work. Class of 2019, open your hearts to God’s love.”

Msgr. Stuart W. Swetland, S.T.D., was appointed the seventh President of Donnelly College in Kansas City, KS, in 2014, where he also serves as a Professor of Leadership and Christian Ethics. Before arriving at Donnelly College, Msgr. Swetland served as the Vice President for Catholic Identity and Director of Pre-Theology at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD, where he also held the Archbishop Flynn Chair of Christian Ethics. In addition to his role at Donnelly College, Msgr. Swetland is a Knight Commander for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and a fourth-degree Knight of Columbus. He serves as the Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education, and is the Executive Secretary for the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars. Additionally, Msgr. Swetland has served as the Chief Religion Correspondent and hosts the daily radio show Go Ask Your Father on Relevant Radio.

The senior address was delivered by Joanne Jaasz who earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. In 2011, Joanne Jaasz began her studies at Walsh University through the SPS program, attending classes at several of our off-site locations. A severe car accident in 2013 forced Joanne to take a break from school, but she had no plans to abandon her pursuit of a degree. Highly motivated and goal-oriented, Joanne was able to return to the classroom in January of 2019. A mother of five children, she has demonstrated exceptional commitment to completing her degree and was able to do so while maintaining a 3.91 GPA.