mu comencement program - che-final

M A R Y M O U N T U N I V E R S I T Y

S E V E N T I E T H A N N U A L

C O M M E N C E M E N T C E R E M O N Y

C O L L E G E O F H E A L T H A N D E D U C A T I O N

FRIDAY, M A Y 14, 2021

M a r y m o u n t U n i v e r s i t y

M a i n C a m p u s

A r l i n g t o n , V i r g i n i a

1 | M A R Y M O U N T U N I V E R S I T Y

C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 2 1

C o l l e g e o f H e a l t h a n d E d u c a t i o n

F r i d a y | M A Y 14, 2021 | 1 0 : 0 0 A . M .

P R O C E S S I O N A L Members of the Procession

Faculty and Administrators, Trustees, Honorees, and President

W E L C O M E

Dr. Hesham El-Rewini Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

N A T I O N A L A N T H E M

I N V O C A T I O N Rev. John T. O'Hara

P R O V O S T ’ S R E M A R K S

Dr. Hesham El-Rewini Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

P R E S I D E N T ’ S R E M A R K S

Dr. Irma Becerra President

C O N F E R R A L O F H O N O R A R Y D O C T O R O F H U M A N E

L E T T E R S U P O N M R . J A M E S D Y K E , J R .

Dr. Edward Bersoff Chairman of the Board

Dr. Irma Becerra

President

M A R Y M O U N T U N I V E R S I T Y |2

C O M M E N C E M E N T A D D R E S S

Mr. James W. Dyke Jr. Senior Advisor, State Government Relations, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC

P R E S E N T A T I O N O F T H E C A N D I D A T E S Dr. Kenneth Harwood, Dean of the College of Health and Education

Zachary Campion, Reader

A W A R D I N G O F D E G R E E S

Dr. Irma Becerra President

W E L C O M E T O N E W A L U M N I Ms. Nana Konadu-Asare, B.S.’15 Founder and President of Nana’s Project

B E N E D I C T I O N

R E C E S S I O N A L


J A M E S D Y K E , J R Senior Advisor of State Government Relations McGuireWoods Consulting James Dyke, Jr. is a Senior Advisor of State Government Relations at McGuireWoods Consulting. He previously served as Virginia’s Secretary of Education under Gov. Douglas Wilder, and as domestic policy advisor to former Vice President Walter Mondale. He has been a prominent figure in politics for over 30 years, and has broad career experience in corporate, legislative, education, governmental relations, economic development and municipal law. He was recently named to the Virginia 500: The 2020 Power List by Virginia Business. In 2010, Mr. Dyke was elected chairman of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the largest regional business organization in the Washington area. He has also served on the WMATA Board of Directors, Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Business Roundtable and State Council of Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV), in addition to his work as a member on Marymount University’s Board of Trustees.


A C A D E M I C R E G A L I A The wearing of caps and gowns for academic ceremonies dates back to medieval times. The practices followed by colleges and universities in the United States today are based on a uniform code developed by the American Council on Education in 1896. According to the code, the gowns worn by bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients have differently shaped sleeves to distinguish between these two levels. Doctoral gowns are more elaborate, with flowing sleeves and velvet markings. Some doctoral gowns are made in the color of the university awarding the degree. Graduates at all levels wear hoods lined with brightly colored fabric. The colors of the lining indicate the college or university that awarded the degree; the color of the hood’s velvet border indicates the wearer’s field of study. The cap, also known as the mortarboard, should be worn squarely on the head. The tassel attached to its top is usually black but can be a color that indicates the graduate’s field of study. Those holding doctoral degrees often wear soft velvet tams or large berets, with a gold tassel.

T H E M A C E The mace of Marymount University has been carried in academic processions since the early 1970s, when it was given to the institution by Marjorie Willard, professor emerita. Miss Willard joined the faculty in 1954 and served for many years as faculty marshal after being elected to the position by her colleagues. Made of silver in the tradition of Virginia colleges, the mace is crowned with the seal of the university, which incorporates the trefoil cross and the heart for the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary; the fleur de lis for France, where the RSHM order was founded in 1849; and bars symbolizing the stripes of the American flag. The mace is carried today by Mr. Donald Lavanty, Professor of Business.

MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY

MISSION, VISION, AND STRATEGIC PLAN

Our Mission

Marymount is a comprehensive Catholic university, guided by the traditions of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, that emphasizes intellectual curiosity, service to others, and a global perspective. A Marymount education is grounded in the liberal arts, promotes career preparation, and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. A student-centered learning community that values diversity and focuses on the education of the whole person, Marymount guides the intellectual, ethical, and spiritual development of each individual.

Our Vision

Marymount, a leading Catholic university, will be nationally recognized for innovation and commitment to student success, alumni achievement, and faculty and staff excellence.

Our Strategic Plan

In the summer of 2018 Marymount University began the process of creating a new strategic plan. Momentum is designed to guide Marymount as it works to fulfill its mission and achieve its vision.

You can learn more about our strategic plan, here:

mu comencement program - che-final

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