Under perfect June skies, 111 members of the Class of 2012 received their diplomas during Thursday’s 86th Commencement ceremony on Wolfington Plaza in front of Malvern’s Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel.
Malvern’s mission, steeped in the Augustinian values of Truth, Unity and Love, was invoked in both the speech from Ronald Algeo ’87, whose commencement address was sprinkled with pop music references and sage advice on what it means to move into adulthood beyond the friendly confines of Ring Road, and by Class of 2012 speaker Michael John Sassano, who urged his fellow graduates to keep on living this year’s theme of “Leadership.”
“Where do we go from here,” Sassano asked. “To Senior Week? To the best summer of our lives? Then off to college, right? Away from Mom and Dad and away from Malvern. We will work hard, have fun, get good grades, of course. Graduate, maybe go to grad school or law school or even med school. Make money, start a family. Is that it? Is that all that we will do? Is that enough? That is not enough for us. We are the Class of 2012 from Malvern Prep. We need to do more. We need to make a difference. Not just with our hard work, academic skills or ability to earn a living, but with the way we live our lives, treat others, and give back to make a difference in our world.”
Malvern’s 111 seniors ended the ceremony with a traditional cap toss in front of the statue of St. Augustine at the entrance to campus. They will continue their educations this fall at such prestigious schools as Yale University, the University of Notre Dame, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, Carnegie Mellon University, Duke University and Johns Hopkins University. Click here for a full list of the Class of 2012’s college choices.
The commencement ceremony began with a Baccalaureate Liturgy, presided over by Head of School the Rev. James Flynn, O.S.A., and featured musical selections by the Liturgical Music Group and the Malvern Wind Ensemble. Following the Commencement Address, a number of Academic Excellence and Memorial Awards were presented, and then the conferring of diplomas by President James Stewart and Fr. Flynn. The formal ceremony ended with brief remarks by Mr. Stewart, in which he thanked the faculty and parents for their part in the graduates’ success.
Awards given at the Commencement Ceremony:
Academic Excellence Awards
Highest Grade Point Average for the Senior Year: Nicholas Benjamin Anderson
Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average for Four Years: Ian Andrew McLarney
Memorial Awards
The Thomas J. O’Brien ’67 Memorial Award: Thomas Anthony Pitt IV
Selected by the Malvern faculty, this award is given to a senior who has been an active leader in his class.
The Father Duffy Memorial Award for Activities and Leadership: Jonathan Edward Heisler
Selected by the Malvern faculty, this award is given to a senior who has been an active leader in his class.
The Grifferty Award: Joseph Frederick Kindon
Named in honor of Father Grifferty, longtime teacher and Augustinian, this award is presented to a senior who has performed beyond highest expectations through persistence and positive attitude. Its recipient is determined by the Malvern faculty.
Christian Service Award
The Saint Augustine Christian Service Award: Sean Patrick Smith
This award is given to a senior in recognition of his Christian leadership.