Congratulations 2008 Spring Graduates!

The College of St. Catherine held its spring commencement exercises Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. The College awarded 133 associate degrees and certificates, 252 graduate degrees and 485 baccalaureate degrees.

Enjoy the slides below and read more about all of the commencement activities. Additional photos can be for viewed and are available for download from the St. Kate's Photo Gallery on Flickr.

Candidates for associate and graduate degrees and certificates received their diplomas Saturday. Baccalaureate candidates were awarded their diplomas Sunday. Both ceremonies were held in The O'Shaughnessy.

A hooding ceremony and prayer service was held for associate degree students Saturday at 9 a.m. in Our Lady of Victory Chapel.

At Saturday’s commencement ceremony, Joan Mitchell '62, CSJ, Ph.D., publisher of Good Ground Press and a member of the College of St. Catherine’s Board of Trustees, spoke of the compassionate care she received from a St. Catherine’s nursing graduate during her treatment of breast cancer and the importance of the connection between patient and caregiver.

Sister Joan is the author of Beyond Fear and Silence: A Feminist Reading of Mark. She currently serves on the leadership team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet St. Paul province.

On Sunday, The Most Rev. Harry J. Flynn, archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, presided at two Baccalaureate Mass and hooding ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Archbishop Flynn was awarded an honorary doctorate degree at the commencement ceremony.

Mary E. Lyons, Ph.D., president of the University of San Diego, gave the commencement address. Lyons has been an educator for more than 35 years, working as an elementary and junior high school teacher, university professor and administrator. Lyons was president of the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., from 1996–2003. She also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 25 years, retiring in 1996 with the rank of captain.

In her address, Lyons reminded graduates of the advantages they will have as a result of their St. Catherine’s degree — an appreciation for the liberal arts, a women-centered education and a one that is grounded in Catholic tradition and teachings.

Lyons told stories of her experiences in the Naval Reserve. While male officer candidates were learning naval skills, the women attended a seminar on how to apply makeup, Lyons said, noting that while women have made great advances in society over the past 30 years, "there is still a long way to go."

For her service to Catholic higher education, Lyons was awarded the College of St. Catherine’s Alexandrine Medal at the ceremony. The Alexandrine Medal is given to women for outstanding service to a specific profession or field.