Iowa Wesleyan graduates look toward the future

MT. PLEASANT - As the processional began and Kiela Denham and her peers began filing out of Iowa Wesleyan's University Chapel with diploma in hand, her eyes welled up with tears.

'Iowa Wesleyan allowed me to meet some of the greatest people I've ever met,” she said, as those tears began rolling down her cheeks. 'I don't know what I would do without my friends … it also allowed me to meet some of the greatest professors.”

The Chicago native studied business and criminal justice at the southeast Iowan university and is now looking to go to law school.

It was a bittersweet goodbye for 19 Iowa Wesleyan graduates, all adorned in black robes, last Thursday afternoon.

The cohort, who were part of a group of 27 that had completed their time and education with the university, walked across the University Chapel stage to receive their diplomas as family and friends cheered them on.

The December graduation ceremony was presided by University President Christine Plunkett while Chadwick Teacher of the Year, Aleesa Kittrell, the university's Division of Nursing chair and an associate professor of nursing, served as the commencement speaker.

Before introducing Kittrell, Plunkett congratulated the graduating students, highlighting their impact on the campus.

'I hope that over the coming months, years and decades, you will look back and recognize that your years here were transformative. I hope you will be able to say that your time here allowed you to know yourself better, allowed you to understand the world better, experience the joys and challenges that shaped who you are and form lifelong friendships. What you may not recognize is that you, in your own way, have transformed the university. Through your presence on campus, your academic pursuits, your creative gifts, your athletic energy and your service to others, you have made us better teachers and better leaders,” Plunkett said.

Following Plunkett, Kittrell reminded the graduates to continue to exhibit their Tiger Spirit, even as they continue to move forward in life and beyond the university's campus.

'This year, Iowa Wesleyan unveiled and launched its Tiger Creed that sought to identify and define what exactly makes an Iowa Wesleyan student a Tiger. Although the creed is new, the Tiger Spirit certainly is not,” Kittrell noted.

'During your time at Iowa Wesleyan, you have embodied these traits through your coursework, service projects, athletic and campus events, service organizations and groups and much more. As you leave Iowa Wesleyan, you will take these traits with you as you go forward on new and exciting adventures,” the nursing chair continued.

Kitrell reminded students to remain tenacious, inspired, global, engaged and respectful.

'As you've completed your earned or achieved great knowledge. And as they say, great knowledge comes with power. Use that power with respect and care,” the professor said.

DeWayne Frazier, University Provost, explained that he's most excited to see where the graduates go next, even though it may be hard to say goodbye.

'It's always a special day. It's always with mixed emotions because there are so many good students that are graduating right now and leaving. But at the same time, it makes you very proud. It's almost like being a proud father … for me, when the students leave here, no matter their age, I want to know everything about their career, what they do, because they will always take a little piece of wherever they were in life back with them,” he said.

Many of the students, much like Denham, recalled having a wonderful time at the university, feeling supported to chase their dreams and pursue their career of choice.

Cassa Knustrom, a mother of three young boys from Donnellson said Iowa Wesleyan's online program allowed her to pursue an education while being a mother. Knustrom studied human services and plans to become a social worker 'to help others who may be in need.”

Jaime Glenn whose plans are to become an elementary school teacher. Glenn, who hails from Illinois, said she may be returning to her home state to look for work but that Iowa Wesleyan has 'felt like home.”

'The professors are always willing to help you out whenever you need it. You can get that one-on-one attention from them,” she said of her experience at the university.

'They always go out of their way to help you out,” Glenn added.