Ƭapp celebrates 65th Commencement on Sunday, May 17
The sounds of hammering and drilling are loud outside of Bellarmine Hall on the Ƭapp campus. The feelings of excitement, sadness and nostalgia fill the air, and there’s constant chatter of jobs, travel and “the future.”
All of this can only mean one thing:
Commencement 2015 is here.
On Sunday, May 17, Ƭapp will celebrate its 65 th Commencement in front of families and friends on the sprawling lawn of Bellarmine Hall.
Shelton, Connecticut resident, Margaret Siu, will deliver the valedictory address to the class of 2015. The biochemistry major has exemplified and fully embraced the Stag spirit in her four years at the university, for which she will always be thankful.
“I am a little bit still in shock, but beyond excited,” said Siu. “The past four years have treated me well and I am looking forward to telling my story.”
Two dedicated and distinguished members of the Society of Jesus will speak to this year’s graduates. Rev. James Martin, S.J., best selling author, editor and national and international media contributor, will speak at the undergraduate ceremony. Fr. Martin’s work has spanned the globe, including a hospice in Kingston, Jamaica, a Jesuit refugee service in Nairobi, Kenya, a school for underprivileged boys in New York City and various outreach programs around Chicago. His writing has been featured in national publications including The New York Times and O Magazine , and he has been a guest on major television and radio networks including NPR and Comedy Central. In addition to speaking, Fr. Martin will receive his Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree.
Rev. Greg Boyle, S.J., founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries, a nationally recognized agency that provides job training, education and mental health services to former gang members in Los Angeles, California, will deliver the commencement address at the graduate ceremony. Fr. Boyle has served as a Chaplain of Folsom Prison, and is the author of Tattoos on the Heart: the Power of Boundless Compassion. Fr . Boyle is also the recipient of several humanitarian awards, including the California Peace Prize. Fr. Boyle will receive his Doctor of Humanities honorary degree during the graduate ceremony.
Additional honorary degrees will be bestowed upon some very well known namesakes. Sharon Robinson, the daughter of Hall of Fame baseball legend, Jackie Robinson, will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree, along with John C. Meditz ’70, a long time dedicated university trustee. Clea Newman Soderlund, the daughter of the late actor, Paul Newman, will received an honorary degree at the graduate ceremony, along with Fr. Boyle.
It’s been years of hard work for these students. Years of ups and downs, and late nights leading into early mornings. But it’s worth it, because the future of these Fairfield graduates is bright.
Let’s hope the weather is, as well.
