SRU graduates reflect on hard work, accomplishment before fall ceremony
SLIPPERY ROCK — In a sea of black caps and gowns, Mackenzie Hardin stood in front of a line of graduates from the College of Health Professions department at Slippery Rock University’s fall commencement Dec. 9.
Hardin, of Sarver, was about to walk across the stage to her diploma, having earned a degree in Healthcare Administration Management.
After transferring to SRU from Butler County Community College during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hardin graduated at the top of her class, and would be leading the graduates with a flag representing their department.
“It’s been a long time coming,” she said, adding she’s been in school for five and a half years.
Halfway through the last half of the semester, Hardin said she received an email that she could choose to carry the university’s flag, or the College of Health Professions flag.
“I felt like representing health care professions was important to me,” she said of her choice.
Hardin said she was most grateful for the people she met while at SRU, and the networking opportunities she had.
“It was a great time,” she said. “There are lots of benefits being here.”
Hardin wasn’t the only graduate who stood out in the auxiliary gym of Morrow Field House. Many did their best to make the regalia their own.
One was Alexandra Steele, a public health major who’s graduation cap honored her great grandmother, Helen, who passed away in August.
“We were like, really close,” she said, referencing a tattoo of Helen’s handwriting, and a bracelet she had made with Helen’s picture.
Steele’s cap shared where she would be going after graduation: the physician’s assistant program at Thiel College. The cap also included one of her grandmother’s quotes, “God Willing.”
“I’m super excited,” Steele said of graduating. “I truthfully love the health department, I had a good experience,” she said.
For Ellie Wingard, a music therapy major, her fellow students made her SRU experience great.
“I’m the biggest advocate for SRU there could possibly be,” she said. “I’ve made some of the best friends I could ever have.”
Jason Ray, an online security major from Philadelphia, had a similar sentiment.
“(The best part) is the people. Above all odds,” he said.
Around 11 p.m., the 582 giddy graduates walked before their friends and family and took their seats. They were then congratulated by the university’s president, Karen Riley.
“Today is your day,” she said. “Earning your college degree is no small feat.”
