Franklin and Marshall College issued the following announcement on Dec. 16.
The sound of applause and emphatic cheers filled Barshinger Center for Musical Arts Dec. 14 to celebrate 50 winter graduates of Franklin & Marshall College.
The ceremony recognizes students who complete academic requirements ahead of their cohort, or complete an extra term. Students who complete requirements by Jan. 31 are counted as members of the Class of 2022 and invited to participate in the Commencement ceremony May 14.
F&M President Barbara Altmann handed diplomas to the 31 students in attendance. Each of the 19 graduates unable to join in person was individually recognized.
“What does it mean to be a Diplomat?” Altmann asked. “It means moving fluidly between and among cultures. It means translating between different languages, different fields, different cultures and points of origin… It means leading creative problem-solving, bringing people and places together.”
Family, friends and members of the campus community gathered before and after the ceremony to snap photos and congratulate the College’s newest graduates. A reception at Steinman College Center followed.
View a recording of the ceremony.
View the winter graduation photo gallery.
The campus community gathered to congratulate the College’s newest graduates. A reception at Steinman College Center followed. Image Credit: Deb Grove
F&M President Barbara Altmann with December 2021 winter graduates. Image Credit: Deb Grove
“You will solve real problems, you will design creative solutions and you will generate great new ideas. Now more than ever, the world needs Diplomats. And luckily for all of us, you are on your way,” said F&M President Barbara Altmann. Image Credit: Deb Grove
Elisabeth Chapman ’23 and Micheala Patalano ’24 performed during the ceremony. Image Credit: Deb Grove
“As I read through the list of students to see our researchers, our dancers, our musicians, our athletes, our activists, it just filled me with joy to have you see this accomplishment,” said Margaret Hazlett, vice president and dean of student affairs. Image Credit: Deb Grov“Everyday acts and choices that we make can shape the world for the better,” said Joseph Pritchett, director of faith and meaning. Image Credit: Deb Grove
“Let's recognize how you've grown as you've lived and learned – and hopefully loved – our F&M community,” said Gretchel Hathaway, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. Image Credit: Deb Grove
“Anthropologists have studied comparative rights of passage. These are these transcendental moments in which an individual is ushered from one state of being into another,” said Cameron Wesson, provost and dean of the faculty. “As you embrace this right of passage, I will just say, welcome to the other side.” Image Credit: Deb Grove
"You will solve real problems, you will design creative solutions and you will generate great new ideas. Now more than ever, the world needs Diplomats."
BARBARA ALTMANN
Original source can be found here.