Blog

By Amy Bennett | April 30, 2018

Sunday is a special day; it’s Marian University’s 2018 commencement ceremony. For Marian faculty and staff, this is the day that we see the fruits of our labors. It’s the pinnacle. If we were all NFL players instead of college employees, commencement would be our Super Bowl victory. 

We work all year for this one day, and yet, you may have never even met any of us. Some of you may live in the Indianapolis area, so you may have met in-person with your admissions counselor or your academic advisor. As online students, however, some of you live out of state. You may never have even stepped onto Marian’s campus, and perhaps you’ve only spoken on the phone or emailed your advisor. 

Nevertheless, there are many, many people who work at Marian on the online courses and with the online students who are behind the scenes. From the staff of the business office, the registrar’s office, and the financial aid office to others like course designers, website designers, and the IT staff. If you’re attending the commencement ceremony, we hope we have the opportunity to meet you in person on Sunday. If you’re not able to make it, we want to:

• Say thank you. Thank you for choosing Marian to complete your degree. We appreciate your trust in us.
• Wish you all the best. Even for adults, times of transition can be filled with excitement but also with anxiety. Some of you may be accepting a promotion, looking for a new job within your field, or perhaps even changing careers entirely.
• Keep in touch with you after you graduate. If you live in the area, we encourage you to attend MAP networking and social events like Homecoming and our Throwdowns. If you don’t live near, we do have Marian University alumni chapters throughout the country.
• Remind you that The Exchange offers career services to you as an alum. Once a Knight, always a Knight!

We always read the following prayer at Registration Day for our Second Degree students, but I think it’s fitting for our graduates as well:

Peace Within

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

- St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Theresa of Avila

In closing, let me say congratulations! We’re so proud of your accomplishment.  Graduating from college as an adult takes tenacity; it’s a true juggling act to balance family, friends, a full-time job, and school. Take a breath. Let your accomplishment soak in. You’re a college graduate! 

Congratulations!

Amy Bennett,
MAP Executive Director