Congratulations to the College Class of 2016

A joyous and festive spirit was evident in Cox Auditorium and on the Chapel Green in honor of this year’s commencement on Saturday, May 7. In all, 98 graduates make up the Class of 2016, 80 of whom received BAs and 18, BS degrees. Faculty, Trustees, alumni, family, and friends celebrated alongside the graduates.

Principia President Jonathan Palmer expressed appreciation for the exceptional leadership shown by members of the graduating class in academics, athletics, and student activities, including the mediation and solar car teams.  

Directly addressing this year’s graduates, Dr. Palmer conveyed his hopes for them, quoting Principia founder Mary Kimball Morgan’s description of the Class of 1936: “They are . . . ready to take their own responsibilities for the Cause as far as human responsibilities can be taken, and as I see them doing that, I realize that they are really rooted and grounded in the Truth” (Education at The Principia, p. 133). Dr. Palmer also told the graduates, “Go on your way, rejoicing that He (your Father-Mother God) can use you” (Education at The Principia, p. 221).

Before awarding diplomas, Dr. Palmer welcomed the Honorable William H. Webster, this year’s commencement speaker. Following his Navy service, college, and law school, Judge Webster served as a practicing attorney in St. Louis, as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, and then as Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He resigned from the court to become Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. After serving with distinction in that role, he was asked to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Currently, he chairs the Homeland Security Advisory Council.

Drawing upon this breadth of experience, Judge Webster emphasized the importance of building and maintaining trust. “Trust is fragile, it must be earned daily,” he said. “I hope that along with the wealth of additional ammunition and spiritual experiences that you have accumulated here at Principia, you will make a place in your lives for duty, for quality, for honor, for steadfast trustworthiness. It will reward you—I can tell you—tenfold in your life. You have the motto ‘As the sowing, the reaping.’ Hang on to it. Live with it. It belongs to you.” Then, in concluding, he urged students to apply all they had learned “to help and heal around the world.”

Commencement was the culmination of several days of activities, including speeches by graduating international students and the baccalaureate ceremony in Cox Auditorium. At the latter, four students chosen by their peers spoke—Conrad Bollinger, Nick Boyd, Georgia Mae Hurley, and Anna Tarnow. You can listen to Judge Webster’s full address as well as both sets of student speeches on Principia Internet Radio’s College Downloadable Radio Programs page.