Springfield, Ohio— Despite a brief rain shower, Wittenberg’s Class of 2015 allowed nothing to dampen its collective spirit as the university celebrated its 170th Commencement exercises in front of an enthusiastic, standing-room-only crowd in idyllic Commencement Hollow.
University President Laurie Joyner led the Commencement celebration, welcoming the more than 425 members of the Class of 2015 into the prestigious ranks of Wittenberg alumni. She also recognized three distinguished guests, including the 2015 Commencement speaker, American Hospital Association Regional Executive Kim Byas ’74, and nationally recognized philanthropist and artist Ann Ziff ’68. Harry Egger, a Springfield business leader and member of the Wittenberg Board of Directors from 1996-2002, received honors posthumously.
Joyner welcomed the graduates and their invited guests to the ceremony, while making special mention of the parents in attendance. They were invited to stand and were recognized by the assembled crowd with a thunderous ovation. Joyner also invited attendees to share a moment of silence in honor of students, coaches and faculty emeriti who have passed away in the last year.
She then praised the Wittenberg faculty before saluting members of the Class of 2015.
“Graduating students, as you leave today becoming the newest Wittenberg alumni, you will encounter many happy moments and successes,” Joyner said. “And when you experience trying times, I ask you to pick up the mantle not just to do your job well, but to be mindful of creating opportunities for generations to come. Today, you join thousands in being called forth into the world to do good.”
A total of 121 graduates earned Latin honors in recognition of their exceptional academic pursuits. 56 of them were designated cum laude (3.5-3.69 grade point average), 20 graduated magna cum laude (3.7-3.79) and 45 graduated summa cum laude (3.8-4.0), including two students who hold perfect 4.0 grade point averages: Garrhett Via and Taylor Weisheit.
Joyner welcomed U.S. Senator Rob Portman to the podium, whose grandmother, the late Virginia Kunkle Jones, was born in Springfield, Ohio and graduated from Wittenberg in 1925.
“Challenge yourself to pursue new opportunities and be open to new possibilities,” Portman said. “And never underestimate your ability to make the world a better place—one person at a time.”
Joyner welcomed Senior Class President AJ Burt to the podium, who reflected on the students’ time shared at Wittenberg.
“What makes Wittenberg so special for each one of us is the truly diverse community of people that we are so fortunate to mingle with. By coming to Wittenberg, we all made a foundational decision to immerse ourselves within two special communities: the Wittenberg-Springfield community and the community of liberal arts,” Burt said. Sharing advice from a fellow classmate, he added, “If you leave Wittenberg with nothing more than a piece of paper in your hand, you have wasted an investment.”
Wittenberg’s commencement address was delivered by Byas, who reflected on the value of acknowledging relationships in one’s own success.
“Ask yourselves how you got here today. The primary and universal response is relationships,” Byas said. “It is important to acknowledge and be thankful for the transformational power of relationships. Adopt a daily method that reminds you that you are living in relationships with others, and that those relationships are sacred.”
