海角直播 honored its December graduates on Dec. 10, during a warm and joyful Graduates Reception held inside the Atrium of Vincent Hall. Surrounded by faculty, staff, family, and friends, students gathered for food, conversation, and celebration as they marked the completion of their academic journey and prepared for Commencement in May.
Provost Dr. Michael Griffin opened the evening by inviting graduates to return for the May 16, 2026 Commencement ceremony. 鈥淭onight, we celebrate all that you鈥檝e achieved and all of the good you will do in the world,鈥� he told the crowd. 鈥淵ou are now alumni and ambassadors of this College.鈥�
President Dr. Marco Clark spoke to the significance of the moment, praising the graduates鈥� dedication鈥攅specially those finishing early. 鈥淢ore than 50% of students in this country don鈥檛 graduate within six years,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e completing your degree in three and a half years or four and a half, you are part of a rare group. It demonstrates a level of commitment and sacrifice that is unusual in today鈥檚 world.鈥�
He reminded students that a Holy Cross education forms leaders rooted in ethics and the common good. 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 just a psychology degree or a business degree,鈥� Clark said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e been shaped to be a different kind of professional鈥攕teeped in moral tradition and called to build God鈥檚 kingdom. That time is now.鈥�
Alumnus George Sutherland 鈥�18, currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Notre Dame, welcomed graduates into the alumni family. 鈥淵our Holy Cross education shapes the whole person,鈥� he said. 鈥淪tay connected鈥攖o one another, to the faculty, and to the College. Every contribution you make strengthens the mission.鈥�
The evening concluded with prayer and warm applause as graduates stepped confidently into their next chapter鈥攃arrying the values of mind, heart, and spirit that define Holy Cross.