A little rain did not dampen the excitement of Shepherd seniors as they made their way into the commencement ceremony on Saturday. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Rain showers did not dampen the mood of excited Shepherd University graduates as they came together for the 149th Commencement on Saturday.

Sixty-nine students graduated with master’s degrees from the university, while 13 students received Doctor of Nursing Practice doctoral degrees. Just over 600 students graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Students receiving diplomas had completed their studies either in the summer and fall of 2021 or the spring of 2022.

The university held separate ceremonies for the bachelor’s program and master’s, with the master’s students gathering in the Butcher Center at 9 a.m. where they were greeted by Shepherd University President Mary Hendrix. After extending her congratulations for their hard work, Hendrix introduced the guest speaker, Dr. James Michael Cherry.

Cherry, a Shepherd College alumnus from the Class of 1996, is currently the associate director of Research Technologies, chief of Research Technology Branch at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Cherry took the opportunity to compliment the graduates on their accomplishments, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Shepherd graduates wait in the Butcher Center Saturday morning for commencement exercises to begin. Toni Milbourne

“I cannot imagine mustering the drive and determination, much less the strength to complete a master’s program during COVID — but you did,” he commended.

Cherry went on to tell graduates that he remembered vividly his own time seated at a Shepherd commencement as well as commenting on later phases of his life and career.

“I have failed multiple times,” Cherry said. “I would love to tell you that life will be filled with successes, but it will be filled with bumps and curves along the way. Difficulties will make you more successful and bring more meaning to life as you work through those difficulties.”

“If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying,” Cherry stressed as he encouraged the graduates to find their purpose and then, their job.

Encouraging words were presented to bachelor’s degree graduates by Wendy Bianca Keller, a Success Student Coach at the university who is assisting in the development of Shepherd’s Athletic Student Success Program. Keller, a three-sport varsity student athlete at Lock Haven University, was selected as an alternate to the 1980 U.S. field hockey Olympic squad.

Chrys Lane and Ponce DeLeon, both sports marketing majors, wait to enter the Butcher Center for the final time as Shepherd seniors on Saturday. Toni Milbourne

Keller also commended the Shepherd grads on their endurance and commitment to their education during the uncertain time of the pandemic.

“Your amazing resilience and patience demonstrated show your true moral compass toward success,” Keller said.

In sharing her story of trying out for the Olympic squad, Keller told of her near decision not to go to tryouts because of self-doubt.

“You can’t always be the strongest,” she said, “but you can be the most competitive.”

She added that, with everything that has happened over the course of the past two years, the promise of tomorrow looks nothing less than remarkable.

Bachelor’s degree recipients gather in Shepherd’s Butcher Center on Saturday for the 149th Commencement ceremonies. Toni Milbourne

“Be your biggest competitor and realize that sometimes you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” she said. “As you go forward, look inside yourself and find what makes you stand out. Expand on those gifts and talents every day.”

The graduates, filled with excitement and hope for the future, listened to the words shared as they sat for the final time in an official capacity before being labeled as Shepherd alumni.

Senior class president Emily Jenkins summed it up as she said, “All the early mornings, busy days and late nights — we have gotten through.”

She encouraged her fellow graduates to “embrace change, accept failures as well as accomplishments and to always belief in yourself,” as she gave her parting remarks.