Commencement 2023
Keep the Faith and Be the Good
From Courier Summer 2023
Tori Murphy ’19
The Class of 2023 ended their senior week on May 20 under a cloudy sky and amid unseasonably cold weather that belied the mood of the greatest of all celebrations, Commencement. Before friends, family, and the picturesque Le Mans Hall, President Katie Conboy greeted each graduate and presented them with their hard-earned diplomas.
Environmentalist Molly Burhans addressed the Class of 2023 first and urged them to always be the “good” in the world. She asked, “Why is the bad so loud when the good is so pervasive?
“As you go forward, think creatively about how you are uniquely poised to further the good around yourself and others by using your knowledge and skills: by dreaming big, by making good noise with your life to compete with the loudness of the bad.”
Burhans told her story of the obstacles she faced—and overcame—to inspire those sitting in front of her. “I invite you to prepare yourself for challenges instead of running from them. Embrace them as part of your journey. Move forward with love and faith, and may you always discern that which is good and true,” she said.
As the 361 graduates sat proudly with degrees in hand, President Conboy presented the Class of 2023 with one last charge, asking them to “keep stretching, keep growing, keep the faith.” She said, “I hope you have great discoveries, wherever the tides and currents of life take you, and also that those tides turn and bring you back often to your alma mater.”
Multiethnic Celebration
The 16th annual Multiethnic Graduation Celebration honored 62 seniors from diverse backgrounds for their achievements and demonstrations of resilience during their time on campus. Held in Moreau’s Little Theatre, those celebrating were met onstage by President Katie Conboy, Vice President for Inclusion and Equity Redgina Hill, Dean of Students and Campus Life Gloria Jenkins, and Director of Multicultural and International Student Services Adriana Petty ’01. On behalf of the graduates, Tyana Phillips ’23 shared a reflection on her Saint Mary’s experience, and Jennifer Hernandez-McDuell ’05 returned as the keynote speaker.
Valedictorians Honored
The College recognized three graduates for outstanding academic achievement. Emily Morin, an elementary education major; Chyan Rangel, a neuroscience major; and Natalie Volling, a statistical and actuarial mathematics major, were named valedictorians of the Class of 2023. Rangel addressed her classmates, challenging them to always ask themselves, ‘Now what?’ “Class of 2023, do not fear, just explore. And never stop asking once you have crossed that finish line, ‘Now what?’”
Commencement Honorees
The College recognized four honorees during the day’s festivities.
Commencement speaker Molly Burhans was presented with an honorary doctorate for her work as an environmentalist, cartographer, and social entrepreneur. Internationally recognized, Burhans is the founder and executive director of GoodLands and was the chief cartographer for the first global, data-based maps of the Catholic Church, unveiled at the Vatican in 2016.
The rare President’s Medal was awarded to William Schmuhl for his exceptional contributions to Saint Mary’s and the community. Schmuhl’s connections to the College are multi-faceted: an adjunct instructor in the Business Administration and Economics Department and an emeritus member of the Board of Trustees.
The College also celebrated Dr. Ida Stockman’s work and contributions with an honorary degree. A professor emerita in the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University, Dr. Stockman has significantly impacted the field of communication sciences. Through her work and research, she has intentionally incorporated diversity into the speech-language pathology curriculum and shaped clinical training and practice.
Honorary degree recipient Gretchen Flicker ’93 was honored for her steadfast support of the College, having served on the Board of Trustees for 11 years and ultimately becoming Chair in 2019. Flicker has been heavily involved with Saint Mary’s since graduation, serving on the Madeleva Society Steering Committee, volunteering for the Reunion Gift Campaign Committee, and belonging to the Mother Pauline Society.
2023 LEGACIES
Our legacy graduates celebrate along with their family members: mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and more
who all attended Saint Mary’s. (Mothers are listed in italics; deceased alumnae denoted with an asterisk.)
Julia Larkin Allen, Kathryn Killian Allen ’93, Mari Morrissey Bower ’46*, Meghan Marie Allen ’19, Sarah Elizabeth Allen ’19, Margaret Mary Killian ’91, Elizabeth Ann Killian ’96
Kayla G. Ambrose, Jessica Lynne Purvis ’19
Elizabeth Terese Andersen, Mary Vallortigara Andersen ’87, Claudette Ferrini LeRose ’53*
Grace Elizabeth Anspach, Michelle Hooper Anspach ’97, Lori Corirossi Hazen ’92, Natalie Hultz Aubry ’92, Sara Jane Aubry ’21
Angela Rachele Bannan, Cynthia Bannan Sozio ’92
Kathryn Mary Barnes, Michaeline Feldman Barnes ’92, Rachel Louise Moore ’18, Mary Carole Feldman Prasse ’88, Margaret Feldman Moore ’89, Colleen Feldman Ernsting ’91
Taylor Marie Bean, Courtney Anne Bean ’25
Emily Ann Bennett, Rosemary Birmingham O’Brien ’48*, Erin Taylor Bennett ’23
Erin Taylor Bennet, Rosemary Birmingham O’Brien ’48*, Emily Ann Bennet ’23
Eknoor Bhullar, Shannon Bhullar ’21
Julia Ann Bobosky, Addie Magdalene Bobosky ’21, Courtney A. Bobosky ’87
Kalyn McCue Borger, Kristina Berg Borger ’95, Kathleen Vilona Hussey ’80, Jeannelle Naquin Brady ’74, Mariana Hussey O’Rear ’85, Maureen Hussey Key ’76, Monica Berg Dunbar ’02, Kristen Wojtas Berg ’02
Jillian Elizabeth Bowen, Olivia Grace Emord ’22, Karen Johnson Emord ’84, Patricia Johnson McCourt ’90
Julia Marie Brett, Rachel Marie Young ’14
Sydney Marie Brooks, Madison R. Brooks ’21, Kennedy Joy Brooks ’26
Madeleine Renee Brown, Megan J. Brown ’25
Olivia F. Busk, Bonnie Elizabeth Couch ’26, Mary Claire Busk Caneff ’10, Karen Busk Fitzsimons ’89, Cynthia Busk Buskmiller ’83, Beth Worley Couch ’90, Jennifer Ligda Busk ’97
Diana Cervera, Vanessa Cervera ’21
Lucille Alice Chamberlin, Lillian Antoinette Chamberlin ’21
Kira Laneita Chong, Alyssa Susan Chong ’21
Josephine M. Ciaravino, Carolyn Solomon Wujek ’02, Christina Solomon Funk ’06, Catherine Solomon Bahoura ’09, Emily Virginia Theis ’12, Maria Elisabetta Ciaravino ’20
Maggie Jane Clancy, Caitlin Ann Clancy ’12
Grace K. Conlon, Claire Marie Conlon ’20
Fiona Connelly, Molly Acker Galbo ’06, Anne Palmitier Acker ’06, Grace Anne Connelly ’19, Mary Therese Connelly ’25
Lillian M. Corso, Sydnie Corso Freeman ’13
Amelia Elizabeth Crowe, Cailin Ann Crowe ’13, Maggie Therese Crowe ’16
Therese Rosemary Diamond, Nora O’Sullivan Beesley ’10, Bridget E. Enright ’16, Gabriela Diamond ’18, Katherine Margaret Mary Enright ’25, Margaret Mary Hansen ’25, Phoebe Elizabeth Diamond ’26, Sheila M. Diamond ’82, Brigid Diamond Hansen ’90
Claire Elizabeth Doyle, Mary Nell McCauley Doyle ’84, Emily Carolyn Doyle ’18, Ana Cote McCauley ’88, Jennifer N. McCauley ’86
Maura Colleen Doyle, Colleen Danaher Doyle ’93, Elizabeth Siefert Reidy ’04, Mary Siefert Cann ’08, Sarah Siefert Barney ’99
Christina Lee Esposito, Alyssa Esposito ’21
Emma Elizabeth Feller, Karen Bossy Feller ’83, Lauren Bossy Caruso ’03, Kristen Carlson Morin ’92, Kaitlin Feller Bacher ’11, Barbara Couvreur Carlson ’67
Caitlin Joan Fox, Kathryn Louise Flynn ’05, Kathleen Flynn Fox ’74, Chelsea Jeanne Fox ’25, Barbara Brems Flynn ’76, Laura Brems Flynn ’79
Isabel Ann France, Emily Unger France ’97, Kimberly Reiken LeDoux ’77, Magdalen Grace France ’25
Megan E. Galvin, Molly Malone Galvin ’20, Maureen Catherine Galvin ‘25
Elisabeth Mary Gangwer, Kristin Greenwood Reilly ’04
Nina Michele Gante, Megan Noelle Ross ’15, Roberta Anne Ross ’23, Ava Christine Gante ’25, Cara Calzolano-Ross ’89, Mary Anne Goodnow Calzolano ’89
Brianna Marie Geary, Ann Kennedy Marrocco ’14, Brooke Erin Geary ’25, Cheryl Prosek Kennedy ’82
Genevieve Marie Giannetti, Megan Kennedy Shanley ’06, Grace Kathryn Kennedy ’12, Anne Kennedy Weicher ’08, Karen Lowery Kennedy ’79
Emma Elizabeth Haigh, Mary E. Haigh ’11, Megan Louise Haigh ’11, Patricia Haigh Peterson ’99
Sydney Nicole Haislip, Theresa Kay Bosak ’88, Georgine Bosak Bonkalski ’93
Julia Margaret Hannigan, Therese Marie Burke ’16, Cecilia Walsh Burke ’76
Anna Elise Heger, Stephanie Donnay Heger ’22
Margaret M. Hopper, Ashley Moritz Voss ’09, Katelyn Hopper ’24
Abigail M. Houser, Amy Brinkhoff Houser ’97, Aubrey V. Houser ’21
Jessica Lyn Joyce, Kristen Alexandra Joyce ’26
Kalli Rae Jungles, Kylie Nikole Jungles ’16, Kassidy Mikala Jungles ’20
Anna Maria Kampe, Erica Rose Chabot ’16
Sophie Marie Keller, Summer Paige Keller ’26
Madison E. Kinniry, Morgan Kinniry Fean ’18, Lauren Brianne Kinniry ’21, Kristin Marie Kinniry ’21
Kathryn Anne Knapke, Kayla Rose Knapke ’20
Elliott Kostielney-Hurley, Susan Marie Kostielney ’92, Madelyn Jean Leahy Pittard ’19
Ashley Rose Kraker, Emily Patricia Kraker ’21
Hana Noell Larkins, Tsuki Levelle Larkins ’24
Trang Thanh Le, Kayla Huynh York ’26
Skyler Cadence Leach, Chloe Kaminsky Leach ’02
Kassandra Anahi Loza, Daisy Marie Loza ’21
Leslie J. Lynch, Christine Ann Bodnar- Larison ’91
Anne Elizabeth Maher, Patricia Sullivan Maher ’87, Katherine Rose Sullivan ’12, Clare Maureen Maher ’15, Madeline Rose Maher ’17, Grace Angela Maher ’21, Kelly M. Sullivan ’82
Hanna R. Maheras, Megan Finan Conlin ’14, Caitlin Erin Finan ’18
Grace A. Marcheselli, Leigh Schuster Marcheselli ’88
Anna Frances Martin, Calli Anne Versagli ’09
Morgan Louise Martin, Carrie Rogalski Martin ’94, Cristin Joel Welch ’16, Christine Fleischman Michalik ’94, Macie Elizabeth Martin ’19
Hannah Paige Mathis, Chloe R. Mathis ’26
Kaitlin M. McCann, Tricia Duda McCann ’95
Megan Anne McIntyre, Lauren Marie McIntyre ’25
Abigail Louise Middendorf, Theresa M. Biondo Flick ’85*
Mary Catherine Mihalik, Mararet Callahan Mihalik ’84, Elizabeth Mihalik Kotoriy ’89, Catherine Callahan Rixie ’86, Joan Fallon Callahan ’82
Ashley Jean Miller, Cassidy Jean Miller ’21
Olivia M. Milnamow, Emily Milnamow Canner ’16
Brooke E. Montgomery, Morgan Alexis Montgomery ’25
Emily Nicole Morin, Kristen Carlson Morin ’92, Maureen Nicole Hutchison ’16, Barbara Couvreur Carlson ’67, Marlynne Brookman Morin ’66, Melissa Morin Hutchison ’90
Ariel Munoz, Ivory Bella Munoz ’26
Katherine Rose Murphy, Kelly Portolese Murphy ’86
Katherine Mary O’Connell, Dolores Cernota Dvorak ’60*
Molly Elizabeth O’Shea, Kaitlyn Marie Baker ’16, Irelyn Grace O’Shea ’22, Aris Siobhan O’Shea ’26, Maureen O’Shea Junge ’94, McKenna Michelle O’Shea ’21, Kristie O’Shea Baker ’93, Kristin Galbreath Ganton ’96
Sarah Fagen Page, Allison Anne Page ’20
Megan Kathleen Palmer, Darcey Palmer- Shultz ’03, Jeanette Palmer Reifenberg ’05
Adriana Kekoa Patacsil, Isabel Nakoa Patacsil ’23
Isabel Nakoa Patacsil, Adriana Kekoa Patacsil ’23
Katherine Elaine Peak, Monica Torzewski Peak ’67*
Courtney Ann Pelletier, Lindsey Michelle Pelletier ’21
Magdiel Perez, Sarai Perez ’25
Alexandria Perns, Giana Markie Perns ’25, Molly Marie Perns ’25
Clara L. Prasse, Mary Carole Feldman Prasse ’88, Rachel Louise Moore ’18, Margaret Feldman Moore ’89, Colleen Feldman Ernsting ’91
Shania Quintana, Chelsea Quintana ’24
Grace Beatrice Reid, Teresa Anne Gorno-Reid ’81, Mary Louise Gorno ’72
Kaitlynn Renee Riba, Megan M. Riba ’21
Yajali Rodriguez, Frida Paola Rodriguez ’21
Madelyn E. Rongers, Kaylee Ann Rongers ’26
Shana W. Rosenbaum, Brooke Warner Rosenbaum ’02
Roberta Anne Ross, Cara Calzolano-Ross ’89, Nina Michele Gante ’23, Ava Christine Gante ’25, Megan Noelle Ross ’15, Mary Anne Goodnow Calzolano ’89
Emily Ann Rusch, Carol Lynn Jones ’97, Mary Jones Dalzell ’98
Madeleine Grace Rzepka, Monica Theresa Rzepka ’21
Maria Elisabeth Carole Schudt, Susan E. Loveless Schudt ’91, Alexandra Anastasia Schudt ’20, Jo Anne Schudt Caldwell ’55, Lucia T. Schudt ’26
Christina R. Shadid, Theresa Martin Shadid ’89, Anna Claire Shadid ’19, Martha Smith Shadid ’82
Erin Margaret Shea, Eleni Shea Gegner ’16, Megan Elizabeth Shea ’18, Kelly Julieann Shea ’26
Rylee Elizabeth Sites, Rebecca Lynn Sites ’22
Savannah Brooke Smallwood, Jordan Lynn Smallwood ’21
Annika Kierstin Smith, Kathleen Neville Smith ’91
Bridget Starner, Mary Kate Starner ’19
Sara Frances Steve, Alexandra Renee Steve ’19
Mary Caroline Joy Sturm, Allison Zern Sturm ’84, Caroline Zern Lee ’87
Madison Suseland, Katelyn Elizabeth Waldschmidt ’24
Cassidy Nicole Swartz, Kaylee D. Swartz ’20, Samantha Totten Miller ’00, Sydney Marie Swartz ’21
Jane Elizabeth Sypniewski, Rebecca Jawahir Sypniewski ’96
Sofia Claire Taskey, Mariana Taskey ’25
Christina Marie Thomas, Janet Timm Hergenrether ’91
Mikayla Marie Trumbla, Miranda Marie Trumbla ’19
Maria Kathryn Ugo, Christina Knych Ugo ’97, Katelyn Dapper Dressing ’12, Sarah Dapper Cobb ’15, Joan K. Stephens ’21, Monica Joan Ugo ’25, Kathryn Knych Dapper ’87, Carol Knych Stephens ’83
Samantha Grace Veome, Julia Veome Love ’19
Anna Grace Volpe, Caidence Eileen McDonald ’26, Brynne Elise Volpe ’21, Emily Catherine Volpe ’24
Alexandria Noel Weihs, Kristen Merlock Weihs ’95
Alexa Marie Zeese, Kelli Kristine Zeese ’12
Michelle A. Zeiger, Gloria Louise Zeiger ’16, Nina Marie Zeiger ’18, Lucille Jean Zeiger ’20
