The Graduating Class of 2018: Ready to Take on the World

By Daniel Brumbach | July 25, 2018

The spirits of 1,000 students earning doctoral, master’s, and baccalaureate degrees could not be dampened by the threat of rain during the 162nd Arcadia University Commencement ceremonies on May 17 and 18 in Kuch Alumni Gymnasium.

Arcadia Holds First Lavender Ceremony

Arcadia held its first Lavender Ceremony, an event celebrating LGBTQIA+ and gender non-conforming students in the Class of 2018, on May 17. Arcadia is the first private university in the Philadelphia area to host a Lavender Ceremony, joining local colleges such as Temple University, Penn State University, and Bloomsburg University.

“Our campus is uniquely welcoming, an environment not all of us will continue to have after graduation,” said student organizer Tessa Paige ’18. “For students who will return to being closeted after Commencement, this is our time to recognize their achievements in full acknowledgement of their identity.”

The Lavender Ceremony was created by Dr. Ronni Sanlo, a Jewish lesbian, and is backed by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). According to the HRC, the color lavender was adopted by the LGBTQ civil rights movement to change the meaning of World War II hate symbols— specifically, the pink and black triangles gay men and lesbian women were made to wear. Lavender, a combination of the two colors, is now used to promote pride and community.

At Thursday evening’s Graduate Commencement Ceremony, 490 graduate students were advised to adapt to challenges and focus on their goals by Honorary Doctor of Science recipient Suneet Chauhan ’79, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of Texas Health McGovern Medical School.

“If you fail or stumble, others in your discipline do, too,” said Dr. Chauhan. “Focus on failure, find a solution, and remain focused with fortitude.”

On Friday, the 577 undergraduate students were inspired to live their dreams and help others by Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters recipient Hank Brown during the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. Brown, a former Congressman and Senator from Colorado, encouraged students to show their Arcadia passion in all facets of their lives.

President Ajay Nair, presiding over his first Commencement Ceremonies, encouraged the Class of 2018 to lead. Reflecting on the obstacles students had already overcome to enhance communities both within and beyond Arcadia, President Nair remarked that he anticipates nothing less from their future endeavors.“Each graduating class that I see elicits in me an unbridled optimism about our future,” said President Nair. “When I reflect on just how much you have accomplished here at Arcadia, it makes me dream about what you one day will do that transforms the world around us.”

Class of 2018 President Brooke Boyer, a Biology major, wished her classmates well on their life journeys and presented the class gift: a charging port for the Commons.

“Looking at this class, our class, I know that every single one of us is capable of doing great things,” said Boyer. “We have the power to make a positive difference in the world.”

During the ceremonies, students and faculty received the following special recognitions:

  • A. Richard Polis Graduate Scholarship Award: Master of Public Health and Master of Medical Science graduate Megan Marianne Dorris
  • Professor of the Year: Kathy Valverde, professor and chair of Genetic Counseling
  • Ira R. Kraybill Award for Full-Time Study: Early Elementary and Special Education major Olivia Bates
  • Ira R. Kraybill Award for Part-Time Study: History major Vilius Kasmauskis
  • Senior Golden Disc Award: History major Devon Miller
Commencement 2018

A faculty member giving a speech at the podium.

Commencement 2018

A man in regalia attire talking at the podium.

Commencement 2018

A group of doctorate students in Kuch Gym graduating.

Commencement 2018

A group of diverse graduate students in regalia.

Commencement 2018

A person in regalia giving a speech to graduating class.

Commencement 2018

Three graduate women smiling into the camera.

Commencement 2018

Graduating students posing with Archie, Arcadia's mascot.

Commencement 2018

A graduating woman in regalia holding her diploma envelope.

Commencement 2018

Class of 2018 President Brooke Boyer a Biology major, wished her classmates well on their life journeys and presented the class gift: a charging port for the Commons.

Graduating female student talking at the podium.

Commencement 2018
A. Richard Polis Graduate Scholarship Award: Master of Public Health and Master of Medical Science graduate Megan Marianne Dorris

Two faculty members posing with a student who won an award.

Commencement 2018
Professor of the Year: Kathy Valverde, professor and chair of Genetic Counseling

Kathy Valverde holding her award and smiling into the camera with another faculty member.

Commencement 2018
Ira R. Kraybill Award for Full-Time Study: Early Elementary and Special Education major Olivia Bates

Olivia Bates with her award and posing with two other faculty members.

Commencement 2018

Senior Golden Disc Award: History major Devon Miller

Devon Miller posing with two other faculty members.

A faculty member giving a speech at the podium.
A man in regalia attire talking at the podium.
A group of doctorate students in Kuch Gym graduating.
A group of diverse graduate students in regalia.
A person in regalia giving a speech to graduating class.
Three graduate women smiling into the camera.
Graduating students posing with Archie, Arcadia's mascot.
A graduating woman in regalia holding her diploma envelope.
Graduating female student talking at the podium.
Two faculty members posing with a student who won an award.
Kathy Valverde holding her award and smiling into the camera with another faculty member.
Olivia Bates with her award and posing with two other faculty members.
Devon Miller posing with two other faculty members.