ALLIANCE – More than 400 graduate and undergraduate students participated in the University of Mount Union’s 176^th Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, May 14 in the Peterson Field House of the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex. 

Thousands gathered at two separate in-person ceremonies to celebrate the graduate students in the morning and undergraduate students in the afternoon. The event was also livestreamed to friends and family across the country. 

In his final Commencement ceremony before retiring, Mount Union President Tom Botzman offered congratulations to graduates and their families at both events.

“We warmly welcome the mothers, fathers, husbands and wives, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends of our 2022 graduates who are here in person today to celebrate this memorable occasion with them and others who are joining us via livestream,” Botzman said. “If any group deserves an ovation from the graduates and from the University, it is you. Please accept our thanks for all you have done to support and encourage today’s graduates.” 

Dr. Kristine Still, founding dean of Mount Union’s College of Applied and Social Sciences, Dr. Heather Duda, founding dean of its College of Arts and Humanities, and Dr. Sandra Madar, founding dean for the College of Natural and Health Sciences, presented the candidates for degrees from their respective colleges at the undergraduate ceremony. Still and Madar also presented the graduate students from their respective colleges earlier in the day.

Following the confirmation of degrees, Botzman left the graduates with a parting thought on their experiences after Mount Union. 

“I am confident that all you have learned and experienced here at Mount Union will light your way as you continue your life’s journey,” Botzman said. “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.”