Thank you for joining us for the Saint Mary's College 2020 Commencement Celebration. We congratulate our 2020 graduates and were thrilled to host a live ceremony for those whose in-person graduation was canceled due to the pandemic.
Order of Ceremony
Welcome to the 2020 Commencement Celebration at Saint Mary's College. Below is the program for today's ceremony. A pdf version is available to download by clicking here.
Academic Procession
National Anthem
Invocation
Gretchen Flicker ’93
Chair, Board of Trustees
Welcome
Katie Conboy, Ph.D.
President
Class Officer Remarks
Kassandra Acosta ’20
Michelle Lester ’20
Guest Speaker
William Svelmoe, Ph.D.
Professor of History
Commencement Address
Presented by
Nancy P. Nekvasil, Ph.D.
Former Interim President
To read more about Nancy Nekvasil, click here.
Recognition of Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees in Course
Presented by
Sharon M. Meagher, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Presentation of Graduates
Tracy P. White
Senior Academic Advisor
Charge to the Class
Katie Conboy, Ph.D.
President
The Bells of Saint Mary’s
Recession
Class of 2020
The Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice
Erin Nicole Pillette
Aurora, CO
Family Nurse Practitioner
Director: Sue Anderson
Jessica Lynn Rizzo
Kettering, OH
Family Nurse Practitioner
Director: Sue Anderson
Carly Elizabeth Thompson
Lowell, MI
Family Nurse Practitioner
Director: Sue Anderson
The Degree of Master of Science
Alexis Lemus
Blue Island, IL
Speech Language Pathology
Jordin Saalfrank
Ossian, IN
Speech Language Pathology
Melissa Masiel Santos
Whittier, CA
Speech Language Pathology
Victoria Elizabeth Taylor
Elkhart, IN
Speech Language Pathology
The Degree of Bachelor of Arts
Kassandra Acosta
Dayton, NV
Psychology/Sociology
Summa Cum Laude
Nicole Ann Aggarwal
Ventura, CA
Sociology/Communication Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Co-Valedictorian
Alison Y. Alberts
Evergreen Park, IL
English Literature/Secondary Education
Mary Marta Grace Antonetti
Gaithersburg, MD
Political Science
Ariana Miranda Arriaga
Schererville, IN
English Literature/Spanish
Elisabeth Barrett
Frankenmuth, MI
Philosophy/SDM
Organizational Studies:
Behavior and Management
Cum Laude
Emma Christine Beaudoin
Berkley, MI
Elementary Education
Olivia Bentley
Ellicott City, MD
ISDM: Advocating for Social Justice
Alexia Renee Calderon
Munster, IN
Global Studies
Tatiana Castilleja
San Diego, CA
Sociology/Communication Studies
Mary Eloise Coleman
Aztec, NM
Political Science/Humanistic Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Claire Conlon
Springfield, IL
Speech Language Pathology
Summa Cum Laude
Janie Wahesha Davis
Atlanta, GA
Philosophy
Natalie Ann Davis
Aurora, IL
English Literature and Writing/
Gender and Women's Studies
Anisah Elsayed-Awad
Columbus, OH
Global Studies
Hannah McBride Etscorn
Winter Park, FL
Psychology
Cum Laude
Elizabeth Ferry
Eldridge, IA
History/Humanistic Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Amanda Rosemarie Fischer
Ann Arbor, MI
Communication Studies
Cum Laude
Guadalupe Garcilazo
South Bend, IN
Spanish/Secondary Education
Cum Laude
Kara Joyce Gargan
Vernon Hills, IL
Elementary Education
Magna Cum Laude
Caitlin Therese Gibbs
New Buffalo, MI
Elementary Education/Spanish
Summa Cum Laude
Maura Catherine Gillig
Kalamazoo, MI
Speech Language Pathology
Magna Cum Laude
Anastacia I. Gomez
Whiting, IN
Philosophy
Megan Goralczyk
Syracuse, IN
Political Science/History
Stephanie Erin Goyette
Naperville, IL
Psychology
Summa Cum Laude
Mary Katherine Florence Graziano
Lake Forest, IL
Communication Studies
Madeline McKenna Greely
Houston, TX
Communication Studies
Madeleine Marie Green
Carmel, IN
Psychology
Audrey Lynn Gyolai
Milan, MI
Philosophy
Darby Lee Harcourt
Whittier, CA
Environmental Studies
Sarah Lauren Hautzinger
Crown Point, IN
Sociology
Summa Cum Laude
Co-Valedictorian
Magdalena Hernandez
South Bend, IN
Spanish
Bridget Lenore Thérèse Herod
Buffalo, NY
Religious Studies
Jazmin Abigail Herrera
Ligonier, IN
Sociology
Anastasia Marie Hite
Countryside, IL
Sociology
Magna Cum Laude
Sabrina Anne Hollis
Fort Wayne, IN
Psychology
Claire Michelle Holman
Carol Stream, IL
Computing and Applied Mathematics
Maura Eileen Honan
Marblehead, MA
Communication Studies
Savannah E. Jackson
La Porte, IN
History
Alexis Jacobs
Youngstown, OH
Physics
Allyson Reilly Jones
Riverside, IL
Communication Studies
Sophie Marguerite Kaminski
Valparaiso, IN
History
Karissa Kennedy
Buchanan, MI
English Literature
Jalyn King
Indianapolis, IN
History/Secondary Education
Emily Klepper
Huntington, IN
Mathematics
Magna Cum Laude
Isabella Krockey
Homer Glen, IL
Speech Language Pathology
Cum Laude
Courtney Rose Kroschel
Coloma, MI
Economics
Summa Cum Laude
Madison Nancy Lee
Nokesville, VA
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Michelle Anne Lester
Coloma, MI
Political Science
Mi An Luu
South Bend, IN
Psychology
Anne Maguire
Madison, WI
Global Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Alexandra Arlene Majchrowicz
Schererville, IN
Elementary Education
Cum Laude
Bobbie Gina Mammolenti
Mishawaka, IN
Speech Language Pathology
Sophia McDevitt
Poquoson, VA
Religious Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Cathleen Marita Meade
Hinsdale, IL
Elementary Education
Grace Catherine Milligan
Monticello, IN
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Haley Margaret Mitchell
Youngstown, OH
Speech Language Pathology
Mary Elizabeth Moir
Alpharetta, GA
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Colleen Lauren Murphy
Northport, NY
Elementary Education
Cum Laude
Sarah Elizabeth Nation
Livonia, NY
Speech Language Pathology
Magna Cum Laude
Terra Marie Nelson
Cathedral City, CA
Elementary Education
Nga “Jessy” Nguyen
Bienhoa, Dong Nai, Vietnam
Environmental Studies
Cum Laude
Anne Terese Nowalk
Culver, IN
Communication Studies
Shayleigh Rebekah O'Donnell
Northbridge, MA
Political Science/History
Sheila Marie O'Riordan
Homer Glen, IL
Elementary Education
Jessica Ostrowska
Darien, IL
Global Studies
Elyse Marie Paul
McKinney, TX
Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Nicole Agnes Ploeger
Greensburg, IN
Elementary Education
Nicole Marie Popow
Carol Stream, IL
Psychology
Kayla Elizabeth Powers
Mount Lebanon, PA
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Madison Jane Pyle
Visalia, CA
Religious Studies
Olivia Grace Rake
Zionsville, IN
Psychology
Cum Laude
Amanda Rensch
San Antonio, TX
Speech Language Pathology
Summa Cum Laude
Delaney Marie Rohlman
Indianapolis, IN
Elementary Education
Cum Laude
Allie Lorraine Schmidt
Plano, TX
Communication Studies
Frances Tobin Dougherty Schroeder
Edina, MN
Economics
Magna Cum Laude
Elizabeth Anne Schueppert
Saint Louis, MO
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
Olivia C. Sencion
Chicago, IL
Art
Kirstin Sherman
Nunda, NY
Computing and Applied Mathematics/Theatre
Sheridan Anne Sims
South Lyon, MI
Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Abigail Frances Smedley
Naperville, IL
Elementary Education
Mary Grace Stechschulte
Jackson, MI
Elementary Education
Joanna Stephanie Stochitoiu
Granger, IN
Speech Language Pathology/Spanish
Summa Cum Laude
Elizabeth Marie Stockwell
Dowagiac, MI
Speech Language Pathology
Magna Cum Laude
Rebecca Suzanne Strom
Mahomet, IL
English Writing/Humanistic Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Taylor Shannon Strong
Glenview, IL
Communication Studies
Cum Laude
Rachel Thomas
South Bend, IN
Communication Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Libbey Rose Tierney
Wawaka, IN
Communication Studies
Elizabeth Sandra Tizzano
Cleveland, OH
History
Mary Therese Trainor
Oak Park, IL
Communication Studies
Cum Laude
Georgia C. Turvey
Madison, NJ
Spanish
Cum Laude
Gina M. Twardosz
Valparaiso, IN
English Writing/Communication Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Samantha Underly
South Bend, IN
Communication Studies
Taryn Van Horn
Monroeville, IN
Communication Studies/Psychology
Lauren McKenzie Vanisacker
Monroe, MI
Elementary Education
Summa Cum Laude
Malary Magdelyn VanOverberghe
Edwardsburg, MI
Psychology
Cum Laude
Genesis Vasquez
Chicago, IL
Gender and Women's Studies
Cameron Verducci
Iowa City, IA
Communication Studies
Catherine Marie Viz
Orland Park, IL
Humanistic Studies/History
Mary Elizabeth Wandor
Midland, MI
Economics
Valerie Renee Zaczyk
Munster, IN
History
Alexa Zapata Fernandez
South Bend, IN
Psychology
Anna Zappa
Chicago, IL
Environmental Studies
Magna Cum Laude
Lucille Zeiger
Bremen, IN
Elementary Education
Cum Laude
Lauren Marie Zinanni
Bourbonnais, IL
Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
The Degree of Bachelor of Business Administration
Brooklyn Paige Beltran
Lebanon, IN
Business Administration
Sarah Ann Braun
Fort Wayne, IN
Accounting
Magna Cum Laude
Clare Eileen Carragher
Naperville, IL
Accounting
Cum Laude
Jocelyn Elizabeth Carrasco
Fairview, NJ
Accounting
Maggie Elizabeth Cloud
Indianapolis, IN
Business Administration
Cum Laude
Courtney Michelle Driscoll
Saint Joseph, MI
Business Administration
Camilla Edwards
Ann Arbor, MI
Business Administration/Economics
MaryClare Freeman
Johns Creek, GA
Business Administration/Economics
Emma Patterson Freund
North Barrington, IL
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude
Molly Malone Galvin
Lake Orion, MI
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude
Mara Frances Conry Hart
Grand Rapids, MI
Business Administration
Cum Laude
RyLee Edith Haughey
Galien, MI
Business Administration
Grace Hillman
Beverly Hills, MI
Business Administration
Chloe Jacobs
Grand Rapids, MI
Business Administration
Cum Laude
Hailen V. Jerkovic
Darien, IL
Business Administration
Clara Faith Judge
Otsego, MI
Business Administration
Cum Laude
Elizabeth Kaspers
Aliso Viejo, CA
Business Administration
Cum Laude
Noel Charis Keen
Berwyn, IL
Accounting
Cum Laude
Bridghidanne Kelly
Philadelphia, PA
Business Administration/Economics
Cum Laude
Meaghan Elizabeth Lagore
Pewaukee, WI
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude
Marissa Martinez
El Cajon, CA
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude
Anna Stasia Mason
Grand Rapids, MI
Business Administration
Cum Laude
Lucia Katherine O'Quinn
New York, NY
Business Administration
Allison Anne Page
Valparaiso, IN
Accounting
Cum Laude
Olivia C. Propheter
Naperville, IL
Business Administration/Economics
Cum Laude
Kennedy Kalyn Richardson
Crown Point, IN
Business Administration
Summa Cum Laude
Maire Katherine Ritchie
Peoria, IL
Business Administration
Gabrielle Salera
Pittsburgh, PA
Accounting
Christina Serra
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Business Administration
Anna Smagala
Hinsdale, IL
Accounting
Jessica M. Snyder
Tinley Park, IL
Business Administration
Cum Laude
Diana Laura Soto
Chicago, IL
Accounting/Spanish
Cum Laude
Sophia Elizabeth Swailes
Grand Rapids, MI
Business Administration
Laura Taylor
Corona, CA
Business Administration
Leticia Torres Gaytán
Plymouth, IN
Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude
Kathryn Vicenzi
Chevy Chase, MD
Business Administration
Cum Laude
Shiyi Wang
ChengDu, China
Accounting/Economics
Cum Laude
Mia Washington
Elkhart, IN
Business Administration
Cum Laude
Hannah E. Wilson
Paw Paw, MI
Accounting
Cum Laude
The Degree of Bachelor of Music
Shannon Patricia Haak
Oak Lawn, IL
Music Education
Cum Laude
Reagan Jayne Stohler
Elkhart, IN
Music Education
Cum Laude
The Degree of Bachelor of Science
Anna Victoria Babiak
Rumson, NJ
Biology/Secondary Education
Magna Cum Laude
Hannah Noelle Baxter
Nashville, TN
Computing and Applied Mathematics
Cum Laude
Gabrielle Jeanne Beach
Saint Petersburg, FL
Physics
Magna Cum Laude
Margaret Mary Benjamin
Kalamazoo, MI
Chemistry
Summa Cum Laude
Mary Margaret Brandt
Sycamore, IL
Statistical and Actuarial Mathematics
Magna Cum Laude
Alana Natalie Cieszykowski
Blue Springs, MO
Mathematics
Kathleen Margaret Halloran
Downers Grove, IL
Physics
Kassidy Mikala Jungles
Manteno, IL
Biology
Summa Cum Laude
Emma Helene Kelley
South Bend, IN
Chemistry
Cum Laude
Madeline Judith Lamb
Fishers, IN
Chemistry
Cum Laude
Katelyn Marie Long
Aurora, IL
Chemistry
Jordan Lee Marsman
Ravenna, MI
Biology
Cum Laude
Madeleine Beatrice Mauck
Elkhart, IN
Biology
Lauren Olivia McGovern
Canton, MI
Physics
Summa Cum Laude
Abbigal Kimberly Moos
Sioux City, IA
Mathematics
Andrea Alejandra Ruiz-Montoya
Ensenada, BC, Mexico
Chemistry
Molly Paige Ryan
Kalamazoo, MI
Computing and Applied Mathematics/Philosophy
Marianna Sanchez
Westchester, IL
Biology
Sophia Jiyoon Sim
Chesterton, IN
Biology
Cum Laude
Anna Kathleen Smierciak
Danbury, CT
Computing and Applied Mathematics
Chiara Marie Smorada
Kennett Square, PA
Chemistry
Magna Cum Laude
Hannah Marie Tanczos
Danielsville, PA
Biology
Summa Cum Laude
Macy Thompson
Valparaiso, IN
Mathematics
Bella Scarlett Tillman
Oak Lawn, IL
Biology/Spanish
Kamryn Marie Yerga
Merrillville, IN
Biology
Cum Laude
The Degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Nicole Borah
Windermere, FL
Nursing
Magna Cum Laude
Maria Elisabetta Ciaravino
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Nursing
Kaitlin Anne Clifford
Batavia, IL
Nursing
Megan Catherine Coeur
Gulf Shores, AL
Nursing
Magna Cum Laude
Bridget Diane Delaney
New Palestine, IN
Nursing
Nicole Ehardt
Traverse City, MI
Nursing
Meghan Kelly Feldmeier
Western Springs, IL
Nursing
Rose Catherine Fialkowski
Mokena, IL
Nursing
Cum Laude
Madeline Elizabeth Gallagher
Tinley Park, IL
Nursing
Cum Laude
Karin Garcia Montoya
Sturgis, MI
Nursing
Magna Cum Laude
Kelly Patricia Golden
Orland Park, IL
Nursing
Kathryn Claire Hansen
Arlington Heights, IL
Nursing
Cum Laude
Emma Ibarra
Hobart, IN
Nursing
Cum Laude
Kelsey Keilman
South Bend, IN
Nursing
Magna Cum Laude
Kayla Rose Knapke
Fort Wayne, IN
Nursing
Danielle Heather Knowlton
Mokena, IL
Nursing/Spanish
Tarah Marie Lawitzke
Grand Blanc, MI
Nursing
Nicolette Catherine LeBrun
Winnetka, IL
Nursing
Madeline Molloy Nettleton
Villa Park, IL
Nursing
Teresa M. Niehaus
Fort Myers, FL
Nursing
Cum Laude
Caitlan Elizabeth Pawlowski
Chicago, IL
Nursing
Cum Laude
Alexis Marie Pullara
Morris, IL
Nursing
Riley McCall Recker
New Lenox, IL
Nursing
Kerrigan Schmidt
South Bend, IN
Nursing
Cum Laude
Mary Kathryn Selvaggi
Louisville, KY
Nursing
Lucille Reich Semler
Carmel, IN
Nursing
Erika A. Wright
South Bend, IN
Nursing
The Degree of Bachelor of Social Work
Alexandria Balok
South Bend, IN
Social Work
Marie Kelleher Burke
Western Springs, IL
Social Work
Amahti Maite Campbell
Chicago, IL
Social Work
Jillian Elizabeth Dani
Bremen, IN
Social Work
Megan Elizabeth Drolet
Inverness, IL
Social Work
Magna Cum Laude
Carey Ann Dwyer
Oak Forest, IL
Social Work
Magna Cum Laude
Grace Erving
Kalamazoo, MI
Social Work
Austin Marie Fritzgerald
Richton Park, IL
Social Work
Cum Laude
Magdalena Hernandez
South Bend, IN
Social Work
Olivia Anne Lathers
Grass Lake, MI
Social Work
Sophia McDevitt
Poquoson, VA
Social Work
Summa Cum Laude
Margaret Kathleen McKinnon
Wadsworth, IL
Social Work
Catherine Emilie Niles
Winchendon, MA
Social Work
Magna Cum Laude
Georgia C. Turvey
Madison, NJ
Social Work
Cum Laude
Katherine Dower Wankelman
Fort Collins, CO
Social Work/Gender and Women's Studies
Magna Cum Laude
*SDM- Student-Designed Major
The Belles of Saint Mary's
Mission Statement
Founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1844, Saint Mary’s College promotes a life of intellectual vigor, aesthetic appreciation, religious sensibility, and social responsibility. Saint Mary’s is a Catholic, residential, women’s, liberal arts college offering undergraduate degrees and co-educational graduate programs.
A pioneer in the education of women, the College fosters an inclusive, academic community where students discover and develop their talents as they prepare to make a difference in the world. All members of the College contribute to this mission in their response to the complex needs and challenges of contemporary life.
Statement of Philosophy and Purpose
As a center of higher education, Saint Mary’s fosters an academic climate of scholarship and learning for faculty and students alike. Through excellence in teaching and the example of its own active scholarship, the faculty challenge students to expand their horizons and support them in their intellectual pursuits. A broad-based course of study invites students to think critically and creatively about the natural world and human culture. Acknowledging the need to prepare women for an array of careers, the College provides a liberal arts foundation for all students. Through their years at Saint Mary’s, students acquire depth and breadth of knowledge, competence in quantitative skills and modern languages, the ability to think clearly about complex problems, and the capacity to communicate with precision and style.
As a Catholic college, Saint Mary’s cultivates a community of intellectual inquiry, liturgical prayer, and social action. The College creates an open forum in which students freely and critically study the rich heritage of the Catholic tradition, raising the questions necessary to develop a mature religious life. The celebration of liturgy encourages students to explore the fullness of life and its mysteries. The College nurtures awareness and compassion for a troubled world and challenges students to promote human dignity throughout their lives. In preparing women for roles of leadership and action, Saint Mary’s pays particular attention to the rights and responsibilities of women in the worlds of work, church, community, and family.
Dedicated to the personal and social growth of its students, Saint Mary’s cultivates a community of students, faculty, and staff, which responds to the needs of women. In order to offer the richest educational experience possible, the College strives to bring together women of different nations, cultures, and races. It provides a residential environment where women grow in their appreciation of the strengths and needs of others. Through a host of co-curricular programs on campus and in the local community, Saint Mary’s initiates students in the habits of civic responsibility. Engaging in all aspects of the college experience, students acquire the hallmarks of a liberally educated woman: keen self-knowledge, lively imagination, lifelong intellectual and cultural interests, and the ability to make socially responsible choices about the future.
Our 2020 Celebration Speakers
Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce former Interim President Nancy P. Nekvasil, Ph.D., as our Commencement speaker for the Class of 2020. Nekvasil was a member of the Saint Mary’s community for 37 years, and was interim president in May 2020 when the class graduated.
“When we were forced to have a virtual graduation, my strongest desire was to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments with them in person as soon as possible. I am thrilled beyond words to see everyone again and be with the class. It brings me full circle to completing my time at Saint Mary’s College,” Nekvasil said.
Nekvasil holds a doctoral degree from the University of Notre Dame and has been a member of Saint Mary’s Department of Biology for more than 30 years and department chair for nearly a decade. Nekvasil has received many awards and honors during her tenure, including the Maria Pieta Award for extraordinary teaching, the Spes Unica Award for exceptional service to the College, and the Carmi and Chris Murphy Faculty Award for Student Mentorship of the Senior Comprehensive. She has also served the College as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs.
Also offering words to the class will be Bill Svelmoe, Ph.D., professor of history, Svelmoe has taught at the College since 2000 and is an active member of the College community. He serves as a faculty representative in the Athletics Department and has acted in a number of Saint Mary’s theater productions.
- What I love most about Saint Mary's are the traditions and the friendships I've made that I will cherish forever. Abigail Frances SmedleyElementary Education
- What I love most about Saint Mary’s is the community and the life-long friends I have met here. Abigail MabryBusiness Administration
- Following graduation I will attend graduate school for my master's of marriage and family therapy at Syracuse University in hopes to one day have a private practice. Abigail Marion SeubertPsychology
- My future plans include working on a Progressive Care Unit Abigail MengelNursing Science
- I love that the professors here at Saint Mary's make it their life-long mission to help each of their students discover who they want to become. Alana CieszykowskiMathematics
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"Wherever you go, go with all of your heart."
—Confucius Alayna Gabrielle HaffCommunication Studies - A little girl from Mexico dreamed of receiving her diploma and honoring her people. She worked hard and always believed she could accomplish her greatest goal. She finally did! Esto es para mi gente. Alexa Zapata FernandezPsychology
- I have been called to be an educator. I will be teaching third grade in Arizona for the upcoming school year. I am sad to leave Saint Mary's and the friends I have made here but am excited for this new chapter of my life. Alexandra MajchrowiczElementary Education
- I love the feeling of home you always get. Alexandria BalokSocial Work
- What I love most about Saint Mary’s is how over the past four years it became my home away from home. The community is so much more than the school, I have met my forever friends and made memories that will last me a lifetime. Saint Mary’s will always hold a special place in my heart. Alexis Ann CaronPolitical Science, Global Studies
- I’m ready to start my career as a speech language pathologist! I will be completing my CFY at a pediatric clinic where I will serve children and their families with speech, language, and other communication disorders. I am looking forward to giving back to my community and live out my calling. Alexis LemusMaster's in Speech Language Pathology
- I have a job lined up in the ICU at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, IL. I am very excited and I hope to get a lot of experience so I can become a traveling nurse! My goal is to travel and see as many places as I can to find a beautiful state to live and settle down in and go to graduate school. Alexis Marie PullaraNursing Science