Link to commencement video - https://www.boxcast.com/show/#/commencement-2016-821010
HAMBURG, N.Y. – Hilbert College held its 55th annual commencement ceremony on May 14 and more than 270 graduates rejoiced in receiving their degrees.
Commencement speaker Bishop Richard Malone urged the Class of 2016, “Never forget to be grateful, including on a day like this.”
“Remember, in your lives, the difference that God makes,” the Bishop continued. “Remember the most important things. Pope Francis said to a group of women religious a few years ago, ‘Your job is to wake up the world.’ By faithfully living your Franciscan values and by trying to do the Corporal Works of Mercy, it is a way of waking up the world.”
Hilbert President Cynthia Zane, Ed.D. and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Edward Gelia, presented the Hilbert College Medal to Elizabeth Angelbeck (angle-beck). The Hilbert College Medal is presented to those who embody Franciscan values, demonstrate excellence in their profession or career, and excellence in community service.
Angelbeck is a member of the Hamburg Rotary Club, where she has been responsible for coordinating the annual Warm the Children program, which has raised funds to purchase new, warm winter clothing for 1,000 children in need within the Hamburg community over the past three years. Angelbeck is retired from Frontier Central Schools, following 35 years in education as a teacher, staff development coordinator, special education supervisor, and manager of public relations.
Zane presented the President’s Medal, one of Hilbert’s highest honors, which recognizes faculty, staff, and board trustees for extraordinary commitment and service to higher education and for exemplifying Franciscan values, to Dr. Christopher Holoman, Hilbert Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Donald Vincent, Associate Professor. Holoman and Vincent were co-chairs for Hilbert’s self-study, which prepared the college for its Middle States Reaccreditation visit this past spring.
Zane also presented an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Bishop Malone and an honorary doctorate of public service to Hilbert Professor Edward Qualey, who is retiring after 30+ years at Hilbert. Qualey helped Hilbert develop one of the premier criminal justice programs in New York State.
President Zane conferred master’s degrees, in addition to four- and two- year degrees to graduates in the Class of 2016.
Top student awards that were presented at Hilbert’s 55th commencement include:
- Lambert and Margaret Graham Award for a full-time returning adult student who has earned the highest cumulative quality point average. Presented to Janine Lemke
- Kimberly Bruch Raczkowski Memorial Alumni Association Award for a graduate who reflects the spirit of Hilbert and its mission, and possesses strong leadership skills and demonstrates loyalty and dedication to others. Presented to Akeem Todd
- Sister Mary Edwina Bogel Award to an outstanding female graduate in recognition of her character, intellectual achievement and devoted service to fellow students and the college. Presented to Melody Cole
- John Kissel Man of the Year Award to an outstanding male student in recognition of his character, intellectual progress, organizational ability, and participation in activities and programs. Presented to Kyle English
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Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With nearly 1,100 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs and evening degree programs geared to adult learners.