Congratulations to the Manchester University Class of 2017!

Manchester University Commencement ceremonies were Saturday, May 20, at the North Manchester, Ind., campus. Degrees were conferred on 327 candidates.

• The Graduate and Professional Commencement was 10 a.m. in Cordier Auditorium. Seventy-four pharmacy doctoral, 10 pharmacogenomics master’s and six athletic training master’s candidates received degrees. The speakers' comments can be found here.
• The Undergraduate Commencement was at 2:30 p.m. in the Physical Education and Recreation Center (PERC) gymnasium, with 241 bachelor’s candidates. The speakers' comments can be found here.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The ceremony is followed by a celebration in Haist Commons at the Jo Young Switzer Center. The location of the celebration moved because of weather conditions.

This day marks the nation’s first class to graduate with a master’s degree in pharmacogenomics (PGx). Manchester launched the one-year intensive course at its Fort Wayne campus last May. The University offers PGx master’s degrees through the on-campus one-year program and two-year online program.

Both commencements are ticketed events, and there is overflow seating with wide-screen viewing for the undergraduate ceremony in PERC classrooms and the upper level of the Jo Young Switzer Center.

The names of those who graduate in absentia were not read.

Be part of the fun by using #ManchesterGraduation on social media.

A live stream of Baccalaureate and both commencement services was broadcast on Manchester’s website.

The facilities are fully accessible. Undergraduate seniors with guests who require special seating for Commencement were asked to make arrangements with Karen Brace in the Office of the President at KKBrace@manchester.edu before May 15. 

Baccalaureate was 6 p.m. Friday, May 19, in Cordier Auditorium, followed by The President's Reception at 7 p.m. in Haist Commons at the Switzer Center. All graduates and their guests were invited to the Friday night events.

John Prendergast is featured speaker

International human rights activist and author John Prendergast spoke at both Commencement ceremonies and  will receive an honorary degree, Doctor of Humanities honoris causa at the undergraduate ceremony.

Prendergast is the founding director of the Enough Project, an initiative to end genocide and other crimes against humanity. 

During the Clinton Administration, Prendergast was involved in a number of peace processes in Africa while he was director of African Affairs at the National Security Council and special advisor at the Department of State. He also has worked for members of Congress, the United Nations, humanitarian aid agencies, human rights organizations and think tanks.

He has written eight books on Africa, including Not on Our Watch, a bestseller he co-authored with actor Don Cheadle.  He also serves as executive director of the Not on Our Watch foundation, founded by Cheadle, George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt. 

He appeared in the film, “The Good Lie,” four episodes of “60 Minutes” and on other TV news shows.

Under the Enough Project umbrella, Prendergast co-founded, with Clooney, the Satellite Sentinel Project, which aims to prevent armed conflict and human rights abuses through satellite imagery.

With Tracy McGrady and other NBA stars, he launched the Darfur Dream Team Sister Schools Program to fund schools in Darfurian refugee camps. He conceived the Raise Hope for Congo Campaign, highlighting the issue of conflict minerals that fuel war there.

Heifer International founder graduated 100 years ago 

This Commencement marks the 100th anniversary of the graduation of Dan West, founder of Heifer International.

West was a 1917 Manchester graduate and dedicated his life to relief work – from providing milk to hungry children during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s to inspiring farmers to raise and send heifers and other farm animals abroad through Church of the Brethren organizations.

He established the global nonprofit’s forerunner, Heifers for Relief Committee, in 1944.

Manchester and Heifer International have established a permanent display to honor West. The display is in Funderburg Library.

Meals on Commencement day

A special graduation day buffet will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 20 in Haist Commons. Prices are $12 for adults, $8 for those 55 and over, $6 for those 12 and under and free for graduating seniors. Reservations can be made by calling Diana Stephan at 260-982-5289. 

Sisters Café in the Academic Center is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for ala carte selections.

More Information

Detailed Commencement 2017 information can be found here.

About Manchester University
Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers more than 60 areas of academic study to 1,600 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Athletic Training, a Master of Pharmacogenomics and a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy.  Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu

May 2017