On a sunny Saturday in May, Manchester University awarded degrees to 331 members of the Class of 2019.
MU conferred 258 bachelor’s degrees, one Master of Athletic Training, eight Master of Pharmacogenomics degrees and 64 Doctor of Pharmacy degrees.
The University also awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature to Paul Hoover ’68, a noted poet and novelist on the faculty of San Francisco State University.
At both the graduate and professional ceremony in the morning and the undergraduate ceremony in the afternoon, Hoover reflected on the encouragement he received from Manchester professors James Hollis ’62, Charles Klingler ’48 and Doris Garey. Hollis, in particular, encouraged Hoover to earn his Ph.D. and return to Manchester to teach. Though Hoover chose a somewhat different path, Hollis’ “generosity was a great gift to me, a confidence-builder.”
“Now you are starting on the next part of your quest,” Hoover said. “There are plenty of stumbles along the way,” he added, and it’s in the “seeming error of your ways that you find the right path.”
Be faithful to your goal and yourself, Hoover told the graduates. “Find the place where you fit. It’s also where you dreamed of being.”
Graduates and guests at the undergraduate ceremony watched this year’s “Dear Professor” video – a tribute to faculty for their encouragement and support. See it here.
Representing her class with the senior response, Alexa Callaway, a biology-chemistry and Spanish major from Caledonia, Mich., noted the strong sense of community at Manchester. “The people here are among the most generous, gracious, caring people I have ever known,” said Alexa.
She urged her class to continue choosing kindness. “It takes little energy to respond with grace and compassion, and the impact is great. Thank you for living this out on our campus.”
See the 2019 Commencement video here.