05/15/12  Ancilla College celebrated its 45th class in school history on Saturday, May 5, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel.

The College recognized 110 candidates for associate’s degrees, including nine students completing a double major.

“Commencement is a time at which we recognize our graduates,” said Dr. Ron May, Ancilla College President.  “It is a joy to observe the expressions on the faces of our graduates when I hand each one a diploma.  The ceremony serves as a reminder to each graduate that commencement is a time of completion while at the same time is also a new beginning.  The ceremony is also a reminder to faculty of the importance of their efforts in guiding our graduates toward this day.”

Sr. Virginia Kampwerth, PHJC, former Ancilla College president and dean as well as a school alumnus, delivered the commencement address. Ancilla College celebrates its 75th Anniversary in 2012, and Sr. Virginia shared her thoughts as someone who graduated from the college in 1963, later served as president, and now serves the college as Provincial Councilor/Vicaress of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ American Province.

A reception organized by the Ancilla Alumni Association followed, as Ancilla faculty, staff, students, and their families gathered in Cana Hall for fellowship and refreshments.

Dr. Joanna Blount, Dean of Academic and Student Services, commented, “Just like our students, the faculty and staff wait all year to help our students celebrate their graduation at Ancilla college. As educators, graduation reminds us that we have helped students succeed; that we have helped them take their first steps down the academic road to success. Being part of our students’ journeys reaffirms our passion for teaching and learning, so the Graduation Ceremony serves as a celebration for us as well as our students. We have seen our students grow in confidence, in their belief in themselves as students and as leaders in the community and on campus.”

An Honors Convocation was also held on Friday, May 4, at the Ancilla Domini Chapel, as students and faculty alike were honored for their achievements.

Of the 110 candidates, 12 received recognition for graduating Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.

Another 15 were honored for their affiliation with Ancilla’s Beta Beta Beta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education.

Receiving special honors were Amanda Tompkins (Scholar of Distinction), Fletcher Goodman (Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete), Trisha Dillon (Outstanding Female Scholar-Athlete), John Gough (Educator of the Year), and Hollie M. Anderson (Outstanding Portfolio Award).

Ancilla College is a Catholic, two-year, co-educational, liberal arts college in Donaldson, Indiana sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.