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A Time to Celebrate
Graduates reflect on "selflessness, integrity and humility" at 46th Commencement, last for retiring President Greer
By Staff | May 16, 2015
Photo Gallery: 2015 Commencement
(Photos by Janice Marshall-Pittman)
Virginia Wesleyan College held its 46th Commencement Ceremony today, awarding more than 320 degrees to the Class of 2015.
“To these graduates,” said VWC President William T. “Billy” Greer. “It is our hope that the Wesleyan experience has created in you that eternal belief that life is an adventure. The things that give life meaning and value cannot be possessed like objects. On the day we have before us, it is indeed a time to celebrate.”
Held inside the Convocation Hall at the Jane P. Batten Student Center, the event was attended by VWC faculty, staff, families, mentors, friends and honored guests, each celebrating the graduates’ achievements and promising futures.
“I count myself so incredibly lucky to have been at a place surrounded by such incredible people for the last four years,” said Aoife Branco of Chesapeake, who graduated magna cum laude with degrees in communication and international studies. “How lucky I am to have a place that makes saying goodbye so hard. No matter where life takes me, Wesleyan will always be my home.”
Branco will head to Ireland this fall to study international development at University College Dublin.
President Greer acknowledged the graduates who are veterans of the Armed Forces and directed guests to the commissioning ceremony of David Cunningham, Joshua McNamara and Logan Rash to Second Lieutenants in the United States Army. This event took place at Boyd Dining Center Plaza following Commencement.
Timothy O’Rourke, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the College, recognized four Virginia Wesleyan faculty members during the ceremony: The recipient of the 2015 Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Teaching Award was Professor of History Clayton Drees; The annual Frank and Jane P. Batten Distinguished Scholar Award went to Professor of Earth Science Christopher Haley; The Service and Community Engagement Award was presented to Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Alison Marganski; and the United Methodist Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry 2015 Exemplary Teacher Award went to Professor of Management, Business, and Economics David Garraty.
Serving as this year’s keynote speaker was Lieutenant General Phil Jones CBE, chief of staff at North Atlantic Treaty Organization-Allied Command Transformation (NATO-ACT) and 34-year officer in the British Army. He spoke of his gratitude for the relationship that VWC has built with NATO, paid tribute to President Greer’s years of service, and shared an important message with graduating seniors.
“There is no magical formula for success in life,” he said. “It comes in many forms. But I have long felt that there are some fundamental principles that almost always apply. I offer you three: selflessness; integrity and positivity.”
View General Jones' Commencement address in its entirety.
Following the keynote speech, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Gary D. Bonnewell ’79 paid special tribute to President Greer, who will retire in June after 23 years of dedicated service to Virginia Wesleyan College. He commended Greer’s leadership and acknowledged his achievements, resulting in a standing ovation from the crowd.
The ceremony closed with the singing of the College’s alma mater led by Ajee Church ’17 accompanied by Eastern Virginia Brass.
Candid Color Photography took photos of each graduate crossing the stage. Professional photos will be available for purchase online at www.candidcolor.net approximately 10 days after graduation. The following login code is required: VWSG15