Saint Mary’s College's Commencement is Tomorrow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saint Mary’s 163rd Commencement is Tomorrow

Co-valedictorian Carly O'Connor is
pictured at Honors Convocation
on May 2.

Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
(574) 284-4579 (desk)
(574) 286-4977 (cell)

May 14, 2010 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Saint Mary’s College’s 163rd Commencement will take place tomorrow, May 15, at noon in the traditional outdoor setting of Le Mans Green, the lawn south of the grand Le Mans Hall. The Class of 2010 is made up of 376 women, representing about 250 towns/cities in 32 states.

The only two students in the class from Kokomo, Indiana share something more than a hometown. They’re the co-valedictorians. Audrey Marrah, a biology major, and Carly O’Connor, an English literature major, also share the same grade point average (4.0), the same home parish (St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church) and graduated from the same high school (Northwestern High School). If that’s not enough in common, they also call each other best friend.

“I knew Audrey would be valedictorian. The fact that I made it too is what surprised me,” said O’Connor. “We both realized in the fall of our junior year that this was a real possibility and we were truly hoping that we would be able to share this honor together.”

Future plans include graduate school for O’Connor and service work for Marrah. O’Connor will study theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Marrah plans do international service work, most likely in Guyana, a state on the northern coast of South America.

As fate would have it, this year’s Honorary Degree recipients reflect the majors of the valedictorians. Marine biologist and environmentalist Sylvia Earle will deliver the 2010 Commencement address and receive an honorary doctor of humanities degree from the College. Saint Mary’s will also recognize Lois Lowry, author of young adult fiction books and a two-time Newbery Medal recipient, with an honorary doctor of humanities degree.

“It will be an honor to welcome Sylvia Earle and Lois Lowry to our campus,” said Carol Mooney, president of Saint Mary's College. “Doctor Earle is a passionate advocate for the survival of our planet. Her work to save our oceans is legendary and I know our graduates will be inspired by her dedication to this important cause. The majority of our graduates probably counted Lois Lowry’s books among their favorites when they were growing up. We are delighted to be able to recognize her body of work.”
 
For more on Earle and Lowry. click here.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the nation's top 100 liberal arts colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2010 annual survey. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.