Community Leader and Advocate Leslie Gill Provided Insight on the Importance of Higher Education
ST. LOUIS – Maryville University proudly celebrated the 2024 Spring Commencement ceremonies April 27 – May 5 where they conferred more than 1,000 degrees across 18 degree programs.
Maryville welcomed graduates and families from more than 36 states and 12 countries. Almost 450 students graduated with honors, and the new graduates now join tens of thousands of Maryville alumni worldwide.
The highlighted commencement speaker for the graduate ceremony included Leslie Gill, president of Rung for Women. She addressed the complexities of understanding the importance of graduate degrees, and how worldviews can grow with education.
“With this advanced degree, you might be the ear that hears data and information, that maybe you don’t want to hear, but no one else can handle. You might also be the visionary and the problem solver. During this journey, you have learned to do your research; continue to ask provocative questions,” Gill said. “I encourage you to go deeper, know the facts for yourself. A graduate degree teaches you to inspect what you expect.”
For the undergraduate ceremonies, attendees heard from student graduates as well as from the university president, Dr. Mark Lombardi.
“Two things you need in this world are curiosity and compassion,” said Lombardi, during his commencement remarks. “If you can approach each day with curiosity about the things you don’t know, and combine that with the compassion of all people, especially their struggles, you’re going to find a wealth of fulfilling days ahead of you and in that journey, you’re going to spread a lot of joy.”
For more than 150 years, Maryville University has empowered graduates to build successful careers and to shine their light wherever they go. Maryville’s career outcomes are an impressive 98%, due to the student experience of a rigorous, technology-driven, mentor-inspired education in a diverse and inclusive learning environment that equips them to take that next step in their journey.
Recently, Maryville University was named the third-fastest fastest growing private university in the nation by The Chronicle of Higher Education. In Fall of 2023, Maryville University admitted its largest freshman class ever and its undergraduate enrollment grew 9% over the prior year. It is projecting an increase in its undergraduate population for Fall 2024.
Photos and videos from 2024 Commencement are available courtesy of Maryville University.
About Maryville University
Founded in 1872, Maryville University is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of 10,000 students. Maryville offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. Maryville is recognized as the third fastest-growing private university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education, serving students from all 50 states and 56 countries. More than 17,000 Maryville alumni work and live in the St. Louis region. http://ux.wyad.net