Berea College

AnaMarie Lukaitis, of Bath, received a Bachelor of Arts degree at a commencement service May 7 at Berea College, Kentucky.

The Honorable John R. Lewis, representative of Georgia’s 5th Congressional District and civil rights leader, challenged the 2017 graduating class of Berea College to use their education to “find a way to get in the way” of social injustices at the 145th commencement. At the commencement ceremony, over 200 graduating seniors, along with several dozen others who will complete their degree requirements in August, were encouraged by Rep. Lewis as he encouraged the graduates to honor Berea College’s heritage of equality for all people.

“When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you must stand up, speak up and speak out,” Lewis stated. “You are a duty and moral obligation given to you by the visionary founders of this college, who saw the need to build an inclusive interracial, coeducational community in 1855, before the end of slavery and the beginning of the Civil War. We are still struggling against those same enemies of justice today.”

Berea, the first interracial and coeducational college in the south, focuses on learning, labor and service. Supported by Berea’s no tuition promise, Berea College admits only academically promising students with limited economic resources, primarily from Appalachia. All students must work 10 hours or more weekly, earning money for books, room and board. The college’s motto “God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth,” speaks to its inclusive character, and the quality of its programs ensures that graduates from Berea go on to distinguish themselves and the college in many fields.

Wilkes University

Sarah Sejour, of Whitehall, was elected to the Wilkes University Student Government, Class of 2021. Sejour is secretary of the class. Sejour takes notes and devises the minutes during the class meetings. Her duties also include serving on Homecoming, spring fling and big event committees, as well as overseeing the sophomore class socials and fundraisers. Sejour is a biology major.

Logan Biechy, of Danielsville, was elected to the Wilkes University Student Government, Class of 2020. Biechy is class representative of the class. Biechy will be a direct voice that represents primarily the sophomore class. If any student has any suggestions or questions, he acts as a pipeline between the general student population to the board of Student Government. The overall goal of a representative is to appropriately represent their class and strive toward meeting the needs of the students and making improvements on campus. Biechy is a pharmacy major.

Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the great small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large, research university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small, liberal arts college, at a cost that is increasingly competitive with public universities. In addition to 43 undergraduate majors, Wilkes offers the doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education and doctor of pharmacy degrees and more than a dozen master’s degree programs, including the master of business administration and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at wilkes.edu.

Alvernia University

Psychology major Logan McGinley, of Coplay, competed as Mr. Psychology in the 2017 Mr. Alvernia Contest at Alvernia University, sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Hosted by 2016 Mr. Alvernia winner Kyle Farrell, this year’s contest was judged by David Shoup, assistant professor of mathematics; Stacey Cole, director of annual giving; and Kelly Coblentz, bookstore manager.

Alvernia, located in Reading, is a Franciscan university, grounded in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions, that combines diverse academic opportunities with personal attention and a commitment to community service. Alvernia empowers students to become “ethical leaders with moral courage.” Through real-world learning and the challenging guidance of faculty mentors, they discover their passion for life and turn what they love into lifetimes of career success and personal fulfillment. Alvernia students do well and do good.