Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) announced the selection of the students who will be the Commencement speakers at the ceremony on May 9.
Elizabeth Wetzel will speak during the campus undergraduate ceremony at 10 a.m. and Emilee Roberts will speak during the Woods Online and graduate ceremony at 3 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held in the Hamilton Arena in the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center.
Wetzel, of Avon and Carmel, Ind., is pursuing a triple major in pre-art therapy, psychology and art. She plans to start a master’s degree in art therapy this fall.
“Speaking at Commencement allows me to acknowledge and honor the history that we hail from as students of The Woods as we celebrate the beginning of our futures beyond it,” she said.
Roberts will receive her Ph.D. in Global Leadership and serves as the director of strategy and impact for Chances And Services for Youth (CASY) in Terre Haute. Roberts earned her Master of Leadership Development from SMWC in 2017 and her bachelor’s degree from Hanover College in 2014.
“My story with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is one of full-circle belonging, a journey that began when I was just three years old as a student in the SMWC preschool, then housed in the basement of an academic building,” Roberts said. “I am fortunate to have both started and completed my formal educational journey at The Woods. I am honored to speak on behalf of my peers, celebrating our shared journey and inspiring us all to carry the spirit of these Woods forward with kindness, equality, virtue and hope into the world we are called to transform.”
Students, faculty and staff submitted nominations. To qualify, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater. The selection committee reviewed the nominations and selections were made after interviews with nominees.