COMMENCEMENT
With 1,340 students and their families and friends on campus for this year’s graduation festivities, nothing could quell the excitement in the air – not even a chilly and wet spring morning. Weather conditions
pushed this year’s commencement inside, to the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex (AARC),
where a full fieldhouse and satilite feeds around campus gave every guest the opportunity to see the
esteemed speakers and the anticipated conferral of diplomas to each graduate.
This year’s senior class speaker, Reid Flood , spoke to the power of love in the midst of pain. In the wake
of loss, Flood shared about the reality of how deeply each student is loved by friends, family and the
St. Thomas community. Archbishop Bernard Hebda spoke to the class of ‘ 17 – humourously hoping to
avoid the cliché wisdom of commencment addresses. Instead, he reminded students of theuniversity’s
foundation in the Catholic intellectual tradition, which has built a school committed to excellence and a
commitment to the value and dignity of each human life.
As purple streamers rained down on the graduates, St. Thomas said goodbye to another class of stu-
dents who carry on the school’s legacy as they enter the ranks of the school’s esteemed alumni.
1
2
3
1. Student receives diploma from President Julie Sullivan during the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
2. Students await the start of the 2017 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.
3. A student listens to the opening address in the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex.
4. Graduating students celebrating during inaugural March Out the Arches event.
5. Students pose with Tommie Mascot during March Out the Arches event.
6. Seniors, marching through campus during March Out the Arches May 19, just one day before commencement.
Page: Kian Hashemi-Rad
Photos: Mark Brown ( 1-5); Mike Ekern ( 6)
