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The 2018 Commencement event will honor the university's 378 graduates—a group composed of 183 undergraduate degree recipients, 156 master's degree recipients, and 39 doctoral degree recipients. This year's graduates hail from coast to coast and from points overseas. Graduates of USM's online programs are traveling in from across the country to participate as well.

As is tradition at »¨½·Ö±²¥, the 2018 Commencement ceremony will be preceded by a Baccalaureate Mass in Annunciation Chapel—with a brunch following. Graduates will then process to the Commencement ceremony at McGilley Field House.

The ceremony will feature performances by the USM Community Band and the »¨½·Ö±²¥ Concert Chorale. Reflections will be provided by student speakers Bailey Hightower, an English and Elementary Education double major from Bonner Springs, Kan.; Joshua Yoakam, of Lansing, Kan., who is earning his Master's in Elementary Education; and Allison Niederee, of Great Bend, Kan., who is receiving her Doctor of Physical Therapy.

The members of the »¨½·Ö±²¥ graduating class of 2018 arrived at USM from a wide variety of backgrounds and are bound for an equally impressive range of bright futures. In reaching their God-given potential, USM's graduates have overcome obstacles of all kinds. We are proud to name them among the ranks of Saint Marians.

Students who personify this graduating class include:

• Nishimwe Maria-Goreth, a double major in accounting and math from Dallas, will begin a challenging position as an actuary at United Life in Overland Park.
• Amanda Turner, a biology major from St. Louis, Mo., will continue her studies in the University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ Stefani Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
• Maximilian Richert, a psychology major from Essen, Germany, will study under the tutelage of current Association for Applied Sport Psychology president, Dr. Amy Baltzell, at Boston University in their Psychology of Sport and Counseling program.  

USM will also honor this year's coveted Sullivan Award for Teaching Excellence recipient—Dr. Masa Watanabe, assistant professor of chemistry—at the 2018 Commencement ceremony. The award is presented at Commencement to a full-time faculty member who has made a distinct difference in the teaching climate at USM. The Sullivan Award was created in 1990 and named for the late Sister Mary Louise Sullivan, former academic dean. The winner is nominated by students, faculty, and staff.

USM stalwart for 38 years, Van Ibsen, theatre program director, will also be honored as a Professor Emeritus in Theatre during the Commencement ceremony. Ibsen will retire at the close of the Spring semester.

Learn more about USM Commencement at stmary.edu/Graduation.