Press Releases
Saint Xavier University Congratulates Spring '04 Graduates
More than 800 students receive diplomas at May 15 commencement ceremonies
CHICAGO (May 17, 2004) – Saint Xavier University bade farewell to 835 undergraduate and graduate students at its May 15 commencement exercises, held in the university's Shannon Center.
Saint Xavier President Judith A. Dwyer spoke at the two ceremonies – one held for the university's undergraduate class and the second for its graduate students. Emphasizing the university's core values of respect, caring and justice – qualities espoused and encouraged by the university's founding order, the Sisters of Mercy – Dwyer praised the graduating classes for their commitment not only to academic excellence but also to personal excellence. Participating in the May 15 activities were 378 undergraduate students and 457 graduate students.
Commencement highlights included the recognition of Golden Graduates, alumnae from the class of 1954. Thirteen members of the class led the undergraduate commencement procession, wearing full academic regalia. Those women, all of whom attended Saint Xavier before the university allowed male students, were: Marianne Epifani Anderson, Joan Armstrong, Agnes Andersen Cagney, Lucy Procissi Celoni, Claudette Dwyer, Clarette Dax Harnish, Lenore Malchiodi Jacobson, Margaret Schneider Pelc, Joellen Warren Ryan, Therese Jedresik Ryndak, Marytherese Galligan Small, Loretta Kassel Stukas and Mary Warchol.
Also, for the first time, Saint Xavier provided live Webcasts for both commencement exercises.
Saint Xavier University, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, is a Catholic university, which shares in the rich tradition of Catholic liberal arts higher education in the United States. Saint Xavier maintains a commitment to seek diversely talented students who will engage in a learning community that is intergenerational, multiethnic and international. Consistent with its Mercy tradition and mission, Saint Xavier upholds high academic standards, respects freedom of personal religious expression and honors commonly accepted standards of academic freedom.