ALLIANCE — Approximately 543 graduate and undergraduate students participated in the University of Mount Union’s 179^th Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, May 10 in the Peterson Field House of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex.

The day began with celebrating the new graduate alumni in the morning and the undergraduate students in the afternoon. Thousands packed the Field House with the event livestreamed across the world to those unable to attend in person.

Mount Union Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. William Cunion welcomed the graduates and their families at each ceremony. Following Cunion, University President Greg King ’89 offered remarks and called out the successful Mount Union student-athletes who were unable to attend due to playing in their respective postseasons. Those graduates will receive their degrees at a special ceremony on Monday, May 12 at 8 a.m.

“They will be afforded the opportunity to cross the stage and receive the degrees they have earned while remaining committed to the athletic teams that have been a significant part of their Mount Union experience,” King said.

King then introduced Senior Class President Ashton Knappenberger of Louisville, Ohio. Knappenberger, a triple major in English, Spanish and public relations who was also a member of the University Honors program, discussed the balance of wanting time to both speed up and slow down.

“Tomorrow, the celebration of today will give way to rest, and you’ll find yourself sitting in the silence you dreamed of for four years,” Knappenberger said. “Settle into it. Use what Mount Union taught you about what it means to be fulfilled to live slowly in a world that would have you accelerate.”

Following the confirmation of degrees, King, an alumnus himself, welcomed the graduates to the ranks of Mount Union alumni at each ceremony, encouraging them to continue to be involved with the University.

“Please return to campus often, share your life stories with us, renew relationships and form new ones, and contribute your efforts and ideas to ensuring a bright future for this University,” King said. “And, may you always think of this place and your years here with great pride and affection.”

View Full Commencement Photo Album