About 100 St. Andrew University graduates and faculty, led by bagpiper Bill Caudill, cross the cause walk of Lake Ansley C. Moore for the 125th commencement ceremony.
Rooney Coffman delivers keynote address
LAURINBURG — The sounds of a bagpipe floated across the lake as the graduation procession got underway at St. Andrew’s University held Sunday.
Led by piper Bill Caudill, approximately 100 graduates and the faculty marched across the cause walk of Lake Ansley C. Moore for the 125th commencement ceremony on the DeTamble Library terrace.
After a rendition of “You Raise Me Up” by the St. Andrew’s Singers, campus president Tarun Malik welcomed the hundreds of families, friends and students gathered for the momentous occasion, and the festivities began.
Susan Johnson, assistant professor of education, was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Service Award for her 46 years guiding students at SAU.
Graduate Alexis Gordon received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for her selfless gifts in time and service to others. Gordon organized a campus Bible study group, tutored schoolchildren at South Johnson Elementary and collected coats, shoes, and hygiene products for local students as just a few examples of her acts of selflessness.
The Senior Address was delivered by Titouan Bernier. He reminded students that, “SAU will always be your family, whether you were here one day or seven years. It’s part of the magic of St. Andrew’s.”
He went on to thank the faculty for teaching them critical thinking and practical knowledge and called out the school’s “awesome” athletic program.
Rooney Coffman, class of ‘68 and current director of logistics, was the keynote speaker. He advised students that success in life can not only be measured by money and jobs, but also by the quality of their relationships. He encouraged them to pursue excellence in all that they do and referenced a Vince Lombardi quote, “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.”
He continued by naming faculty and alumni who had achieved excellence in their fields.
Degrees were then conferred by Loftus and Malik, and with much exuberant cheering from graduates and onlookers alike, the class of 2023 was officially graduated.