Commencement 2019

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Commencement 2019

Waynesburg University held its 167th Commencement exercises Sunday, May 5, honoring more than 400 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students from the Waynesburg campus as well as the University’s additional sites in Cranberry, Penn Center East and Southpointe.

Stacey Olson, president of Chevron Appalachia, LLC, delivered the Commencement Address, "Why Be Ordinary?" And prior to the commencement ceremony, the Rev. Dr. James Gilchrist delivered the Baccalaureate Address, “To Tell The Truth.”

The University awarded the following degrees to graduates: Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Commencement Speakers

“I know you are a select group of servant leaders committed to making a positive impact on the world. As you set out on your path, I hope you will continue to embrace your commitment to yourself, your family, your community and the world.”

Stacey Olson, president, Chevron Appalachia

"Our relationships depend on speaking the truth to one another in love, the vitality of our country and the peace and stability of the whole world depend on our commitment to knowing what’s true and doing what’s right."

Rev. Dr. James Gilchrist, retired pastor

"As Waynesburg graduates, it is in our nature, it’s in our DNA, it’s our mission to live out our faith, to constantly learn, and to always serve others. Now, we have the opportunity to enter into the fields that we are so passionate about."

Elizabeth Sible, 2019 valedictorian

"Take time to notice and appreciate the world around you. Get to know other people. Your worldview is uniquely yours, and only yours – there is so much we can learn from each other’s experiences."

Bethany Taylor, 2019 graduate program representative

Baccalaureate

The Rev. Dr. James Gilchrist delivered the Baccalaureate Address, “To Tell The Truth.”

Rev. Gilchirst explored the effects and consequences of “sweet little lies” over the ages, from within the Book of Genesis to contemporary examples in today’s society.

“Our relationships depend on speaking the truth to one another in love, the vitality of our country and the peace and stability of the whole world depend on our commitment to knowing what’s true and doing what’s right,” Rev. Gilchrist said.

Rev. Dr. Gilchrist addresses those in attendance at Baccalaureate.

2019 Valedictorians

The following graduates were named valedictorians:

Caitlin E. Brooks, mathematics major from Waynesburg, Pennsylvania

Kayla R. Coughlin, education major from Buena Park, California

Cassandra K. Kemp, education major from Confluence, Pennsylvania

Amanda M. Lucas, education major from Penn Run, Pennsylvania

McKenzie Shaffer, education major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Elizabeth M. Sible, education major from Coraopolis, Pennsylvania

Sible offered the valedictory to the University on behalf of the valedictorians, where she reflected on what she and her classmates have been able to accomplish during their time at Waynesburg and how it will enable them to be successful in their next endeavors.

"We are well-trained, well-prepared, and well-equipped to move even further outside ourselves and outside this place to hope, to dream, to change, to solve, to share, and to continue to grow," she shared.

Commission and Oath of Office

Austin Joseph Pinkerton, a nursing graduate from Cookstown, New Jersey, was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Army of the United States of America during the ceremony. He was pinned by Chad Pinkerton, Tonya Shiffert, and Jacinda and Michael Huscher.

The first salute was given with his father, Master Sgt. Chad Allen Pinkerton, USAF, retired. Capt. Joshua Risner, assistant professor of military science at West Virginia University, presented the army officer's saber.