During the John J. Delaney \u201950 Alumni Reception on May 15, held in The Duncan Family Sky Room at the Mac Mahon Student Center, the Class of 2014 was officially welcomed into a family of more than 30,000 alumni who call Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s alma mater<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is very surreal,\u201d said Michelle Raghunandan \u201914, who said attending the Delaney Reception was bittersweet. \u201cA part of me thought I was ready for all of this. But seeing my friends here dressed up and chatting \u2013 it\u2019s slowly setting in that I soon will be graduating from Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event also honored two members of the graduating class and a member of the faculty with awards to commemorate their outstanding contributions to the University community.<\/p>\n
The James J. Damiano \u201953 Award \u2013 named after a dedicated member of the Alumni Board from the Class of 1953 \u2013 was presented to two members of the graduating class who have demonstrated leadership and scholarship during their time at the University. Adam Purcilly \u201914 received the award for the day session and Maria Elena Aguliar-Ambrosi \u201914 garnered the honor for the evening session.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy experience at Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s has been life changing,\u201d said Aguilar-Ambrosi, who will graduate with a double major in criminal justice and public policy and a minor in social justice. \u201cI learned to look at the world differently at the University.\u201d<\/p>\n
Associate Professor of Political Science Anna Brown, Ph.D., was chosen by her peers to receive the George F. Johnson, S.J., Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and success in leading students to greater knowledge.<\/p>\n
“The award for teaching is really a testament to the strength of our community and to the mission of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s University,\u201d said Dr. Brown. \u201cI am inspired by my colleagues and my students and I am rooted by the mission. To be able to teach at Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s is a tremendous gift and grace for me and one for which I am most grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added, \u201cI am also grateful for the example set by my parents, both of whom are teachers. They taught me that to love is the most important work of all.”<\/p>\n
As a cap-off to the night\u2019s festivities, Senior Class Gift Advancement Ambassadors presented University President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., with a check for the Senior Class Gift. The gift was raised from contributions from the senior class, as well as an annual Senior Class Gift commitment from Anne Butler \u201969.<\/p>\n
The Delaney Reception, hosted by the Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s University Office of Alumni Engagement and the Alumni Board \u2013 a committee that develops a liaison between Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s University and its graduates to maintain and foster relationships with alumni through social, professional, spiritual and community service related activities \u2013 serves as a starting point for every member of the graduating class in remaining an integral part of the University family. During the event, the Class of 2014 discovered that commencement doesn\u2019t mark the end of their relationship with Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s. It is only the beginning of a lifelong connection to the Peacock family.<\/p>\n
On Monday, May 19, at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, N.J., each graduate will be conferred their degree. The tassel that dangles from their cap will be switched from the right side to the left \u2013 a symbol of their official transition from students to alumni. But after the Delaney Reception, each graduate knows Â鶹ÊÓƵ\u2019s University is a place they can always call home.<\/p>\n\n\t\t