Students and their families stop at graduation stations during a unique Commencement procession.
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After years of hard work, the members of the Class of 2022 earned the right to celebrate with their supportive friends and relatives.

More than 650 recent and impending Carthage graduates participated in the Commencement Weekend events May 20 through 22.

Formal degree conferral took place Friday evening at an event reserved for students and a limited number of guests. Then, at assigned times on Saturday and Sunday, graduates and their full complement enjoyed an extended procession that culminated in the ceremonial stage walk with cheering faculty.

Chairman and CEO of Snap-on Inc. Nick Pinchuk gives 2022 Commencement speech. Chairman and CEO of Snap-on Inc. Nick Pinchuk gives 2022 Commencement speech. Opening the weekend, the 90-minute Last Night celebration featured a variety of speakers who put the magnitude of the moment in perspective.

“You’re beginning a journey that’s going to last decades, but I can assure you the world is watching you,” Commencement speaker Nick Pinchuk told graduates. The chairman and CEO of Kenosha-based Snap-on Inc. added that their success is “essential to the prosperity of America.”

The topic is right in Mr. Pinchuk’s wheelhouse. He has contributed heavily to the growth of a skilled U.S. labor force, both directly in manufacturing circles and through regular commentary for media outlets like CNBC and Bloomberg.

Mr. Pinchuk’s advice covered four main topics. He urged the Class of 2022 to enlist others in their ideas, pay strict attention to detail, strike a balance that allows them to adapt in a crisis, and remain eternally curious.

Before he took the podium, Carthage awarded Mr. Pinchuk an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. A member of the Board of Trustees since 2011, he has also given extensively toward Carthage facilities and operations.

Distinguished Senior Natalie Lall addresses the Class of 2022. Distinguished Senior Natalie Lall addresses the Class of 2022. Distinguished Senior Natalie Lall ’22 gave the senior class address. She emphasized that each graduate is “the casting director of your life” — a natural metaphor for a theatre performance (and political science) major.

“The one thing I know for sure is that each of us has the incredible opportunity to create the world we want every day,” she said. “We act, we decide, we reassess, we question, we interrogate, and we evolve. And, as long as we’re doing that, we’re OK.”

Prof. Greg Barron delivers the 2022 faculty address. Prof. Greg Barron delivers the 2022 faculty address. For the second time in three years, students selected Professor Greg Barron to give the faculty address. The energetic faculty member teaches management and marketing and directs the Carthage master’s program in business design and innovation.

It’s vital to “reboot our brains,” Prof. Barron advised the outgoing class. He compared the human mind to a computer that periodically needs to upgrade to a more modern operating system.

“Most of you will be working in industries we cannot even imagine, doing jobs that are unfathomable today,” he continued.

During the Last Night ceremony, the College also presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to three outstanding graduates: Barbara Dale ’75, John Danley ’80, and Brian Peccarelli ’81. And family members of the late Al Van Maren ’65 accepted the Carthage Flame on his behalf.

A Carthage graduate and his family celebrate at the Kissing Rock. A Carthage graduate and his family celebrate at the Kissing Rock. Commencement participants included about 600 undergraduate students who earned a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Nursing, along with about 65 graduate students who received the Master of Education, Master of Music (music theatre vocal pedagogy), or Master of Science (business design and innovation) degree.

Earlier in May, as part of its annual Celebration of Scholars, Carthage held smaller ceremonies honoring graduates from multicultural backgrounds (Black, Latinx, and LGBT+), the nursing program, and the Honors Program.

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