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Presentation and Blessing of the Class of 2026

Blog | 08.23.2022

Brennan Randolph
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Technology

This speech was presented at the Blessing of the Class on August 19, 2022.

Brennan Raldoph presents the box of acorns, representing the new class, to Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president

Thank you, Dr. Clark. 

Welcome family, friends, faculty, staff and our newest class of Pomeroy’s, the class of 2026.  It is my pleasure to take you through this ceremony or rite of passage as I officially hand off this class to President King.  Your academic journey begins today and will conclude at Commencement when you walk across the stage to receive your diploma.  From this point on, you are a Pomeroy and a member of The Woods community, which should not be taken lightly.  You are here for a reason.  You were accepted to join this class because you demonstrated to our admissions staff an ability and desire to work hard and grow in preparation for your future.  Over the last several months each of you have worked through the many steps to become a student sitting here today.  Along this journey, you were guided by many exceptional staff members in admissions and financial aid and I’d like to take a minute to recognize the teams.

Darla Hopper, AVP for Financial Aid and Admissions and her team.
Chris Lozier, Executive Director of Admissions and his team.

Parents/friends and loved ones, I can imagine today is a day full of emotion and excitement as you watch your student take the next step in their lives.  Some of you may be holding back tears right now and others may be thinking about the new do-it-yourself project you plan to begin in the now extra bedroom.  Either way, please know we are committed to the responsibility of guiding your student through this life-changing journey and we appreciate the confidence you have in our community to deliver on our promises. 

Facts about this class:

  • 260 new students, 25% increase over last year, largest class in our 182 years
  • 23 states, 9 foreign countries,
  • Outside of the Midwest, 18 Texas, 9 California, 3 from Puerto Rico, which is the most geographically diverse class in history
  • 167 are student-athletes, sprint football and men’s volleyball

Students, as you entered the gates of campus and proceeded down the Avenue on your first visit, you were likely in awe of the wooded grounds, the peacefulness of the campus and seeing for yourself an inspiring example of God’s creation.  We call The Woods, The Woods for obvious reasons, but hidden in this place, in areas some may look past or never notice, are examples of opportunity.  We are blessed with an abundance of nature and natural beauty on campus…nature and natural beauty that is ever-changing, growing and adapting.  As our seasons come and go in the natural process set by God we can all think of springtime when seeds are sown and new opportunity becomes life.  In our Woods, this is true for the mighty oak tree as it sheds acorns in hopes of growing new trees. 

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has many traditions tied to our Woods.  We recognize the potential and strength of the acorn in our Woods as we recognize the potential and strength in each of you.  You have weathered many storms, you have been planted here and we look forward to seeing you grow into a confident, equipped professional for your field of study.

Students, please stand. 

Onyx, our college mascot will now bring forward a box containing an acorn for each of you that will reside in the President’s Office.

President King…I am so pleased to officially hand over this class of students to you as they begin their growing process in our Woods.  I present to you the class of 2026.


Randolph serves as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Technology and has been with SMWC since May 2015. He leads athletics, admissions, financial aid, information technology and institutional research at The Woods. He has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, much of which has been spent working with adult learners and online educational delivery. As a servant leader, Randolph is very involved in building community, on campus and off through his work with various groups throughout the Wabash Valley. He is a member of the President’s Cabinet, chair of the Woods Online Task Force and is actively involved with the Aspire Even Higher Strategic Plan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwood University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. A lifelong resident of Vigo County, Randolph lives on his family farm in southern Vigo County with his wife, Beth and their two children, Caleb and Madison.   

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