Reinhardt graduates nearly 100 in first fall commencement ceremony
Reinhardt University held its first December Commencement Ceremony at the end of fall semester, and family and friends of nearly 100 graduates filled the James and Sis Brown Athletic Center gym to celebrate their final moments at the University that they’ve come to call home.
Dacula resident Jessica Fanczi addressed the Class of 2019 by reminding her peers of the community they created throughout their time on campus by connecting and coming together in the highs and lows of their college careers. She recited “Rabbi Ben Ezra,” from Victorian poet Robert Browning, whose death anniversary was exactly 130 years ago that day.
Fanczi chose the poem to emphasize that, while college often feels like it contains the highest highs and lowest lows of one’s life, that “the best is yet to be.”
“We have all lived through those difficult moments; some of us have encountered sickness, heartbreak, and death during the last few years,” said Fanczi. “In September, the Reinhardt family lost one of our own, Alexis Taylor. In these moments of grief and trial, we rightly comfort ourselves with the knowledge that the best is yet to be.
“And then there are the high points...In these times of victory and accomplishment, it can seem like our college years are the pinnacle of existence, like there’s no way life could possibly become more fun or joyful or interesting than it is now. We step out into the world with the unshakeable certainty that there are at least 100 kind, gracious, intellectual, passionate people who are actively making it a better place, and this knowledge fills me with hope. Because of each and every person in this room, I believe, as Robert Browning did, that the best is yet to be. The best for our own lives. The best for Reinhardt. And the best for the world.”
Sheriff Frank Reynolds ‘96 ‘10 took to the podium to offer the graduates wisdom he has collected along the way of his nearly 30 years in law enforcement. He encouraged graduates to make smart decisions and reminded them that a lifetime of respect earned can be tarnished in mere seconds.
“Live by the 20/20 rule. It can take 20 years build a strong reputation but only 20 seconds for it to be tarnished,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Reinhardt in 2010, also encouraged those in the audience who felt compelled to return to school and further their education.
“When I returned to Reinhardt, I had felt that twinge, like I needed to come back and earn my bachelor's degree. If you feel that twinge, I encourage you to follow that and earn your degree at Reinhardt.”
Provost Dr. Mark Roberts closed the ceremony by reading his poem, “Thrive in the Fullness of Light,” written for the inauguration of President Kina Mallard—this time with additions that nod to Reinhardt’s first graduating nursing cohort.
Earlier in the day, the Cauble School of Nursing & Health Sciences held its inaugural Pinning Ceremony, with Dr. Sharon Pappas, Chief Nursing Executive for Emory Healthcare delivering the keynote address. She shared insightful wisdom from her more than 40 decades as a nurse and spoke about “advancing your purpose.” Pappas also reminisced on her many connections to Reinhardt, starting with her grandfather who helped build several structures on campus in exchange for his children attending the school. Her daughter and two sisters also became alumni of Reinhardt.
Following the address, Julie Fleming, vice president for enrollment management and marketing, recognized scholarship recipients, and Misty Wright, assistant professor of nursing, honored Rick Atkinson, Jr. with the DAISY Award.
Reinhardt’s nursing graduates then received their pin from founding dean of the Cauble School, Dr. Glynis Blackard, a lamp and a Bible. As each graduate made their way across the stage, assistant professor of nursing, Kim Michaels, read a personal note each had written to thank those in their lives who supported them throughout their journey in nursing school.
The graduates recited the International Council of Nurses Pledge, promising in front of their loved ones and nursing faculty to uphold the highest standards in all areas of their nursing careers, and joined the rest of the graduating class later that evening for Reinhardt’s 133rd Commencement Ceremony.
Closing the inaugural ceremony, President Mallard honored Blackard for all the investments she made in starting Reinhardt’s nursing program. She was gifted a framed copy of Cohort One’s composite, signed by each student.