Mount St. Mary Holds 63rd Annual Commencement

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – It was all about the moment, one that stood still and would live on in the heads and hearts of hundreds.
“This is a timeless moment, one that goes beyond this very moment,” Robert Gervasi, PhD., President of Mount Saint Mary College, explained in his Welcome remarks inside the Kaplan Gymnasium. “This moment is bigger than anything else right here, right now.” Gervasi, surveying the large crowd, continued, “Wouldn’t it be great to simply live in timelessness; I hope that is what your experience here at the Mount has been.”

Around 300 attentive, excited graduates, along with their family and friends keenly absorbed these potent words, many reflecting upon their transformative collegiate journeys. Clad in black gowns, complemented by an assortment of symbolic color sashes, the Class of 2026, hailed from the Schools of Arts, Sciences and Education, Business and Nursing, earning Bachelor of Arts and Science Degrees. Equipped with newfound knowledge and expertise, each graduate was also positively impacted by his or her MSMC journey on multiple other levels.

“I am a big believer in the need to take steps in order to achieve things,” said Nicole Kreischer, Class of 2026 President, who elaborated upon her own personal challenges as well as those faced by many of her classmates, all of whom prevailed, better for the experience. “I’m so glad I became a part of the Mount community.”

In addition to Saturday morning’s undergraduate commencement, there was also one held for around 105 Master Degree recipients the night before. The Saturday venue also included the presentation of the SGA Excellence in Teaching Award, earned by Thomas Powell, Professor of Practice School of Nursing. The MSMC Faculty Award went to Dr. Lynette DeBellis, Associate Professor School of Nursing.

Also highlighting the morning’s itinerary was Commencement Speaker, Donna M. Carrroll, EdD, President, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU). Referring to the Class of 2026 as the “secret sauce,” for its service to community, Carroll stressed its commitment and potential to “spark change.”

“Your degrees have never just been about that but the creation of a more just, humane world,” stressed Carroll, who also dubbed the MSMC Class of 2026, “hope cartographers,” not just “inheriting” the world but making maps to “navigate” it. “Reach for the opportunities you deserve, but leave space for magic of serendipity, stay curious and seek paths to grow.”

Carroll then paused and concluded, posing a challenge-question for those 300 or so people she was addressing. “When does silence protect human dignity and when does it betray it?” said Carroll. As graduates of Mount Saint Mary College, as members of the extended Dominican family and as a community of faith, this is the challenge of our day and should be a constant focus of your discernment.”

And on this special day, the emphasis also rippled with diamonds of Gervasi’s motif, mantra, along with some other prized pearls of wisdom.

“My prayer and hope for you is that you have lives of love, prosperity, hope and timelessness.”