Wittenberg celebrates 281 graduates in class of 2024 at 174th commencement exercises

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Learning to adapt to change and finding creative solutions within that change will define Wittenberg’s Class of 2024, which celebrated its first in-person ceremony recently in Commencement Hollow. The 281 members of the class were honored during the University's 174th Commencement Exercises, May 11.

Throughout the week and during the many celebratory events leading up to the May 11 ceremony, the class members reflected on the special bonds that were formed during their time at Wittenberg, along with their collective trust in times of change, and how they had to work a little harder to create connections across campus.

John Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.Words to the graduates: “It seems so far in the past, but also only yesterday, that most of our graduates started their time at Wittenberg in masks, in classrooms that were configured to facilitate social distancing, and without getting together in groups. They had missed high school proms and graduations as the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. With more than a few bumps along the way, slowly but surely, things returned to something like they had been before. And this group, the Wittenberg University Class of 2024, helped to shape our new normal. In some ways, because of the disruption, the Class of 2024 had an outsized impact on our community. Now, we get to celebrate them. Celebrate graduation, an important milestone, and celebrate a new beginning, the commencement of life after Wittenberg.”

Graduates were told there is a lot of uncertainty in the world today and a lot of change, but this class is ready for it.  

“You have gained knowledge and skills from every part of your Wittenberg education. You have learned a few things about persistence and resilience. You have seen the importance of passing on your light and the impact that can have on others,” he told them. “As you celebrate this life milestone, leave here confident in your abilities, but with the humility to know that there is always more to learn and that the unexpected will happen. …   Remember, too, that you are part of a streak (and that has nothing to do with The Hollow). A streak is what a group of tigers is called. You are Wittenberg Tigers, for life, and that means you do not have to go it alone. As you leave here to do great things, use your head, and listen to your heart. Keep making us proud. Congratulations, Wittenberg Class of 2024!” — Wittenberg President Michael L. Frandsen
John Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.
Words to the graduates from a graduate:  “Our class has faced a great amount of uncertainty and change. Witt has constantly introduced us to new things. An example would be right now: we’ve never had a graduation before!! I did not expect to be up here today. For real. I was the vice president… but here we are! We have been forced to adapt to our situations. I thought to myself: How the heck do I do this? How do I stand in front of everyone, as the class president, with very minimal class president experience? I then realized how many people I can turn to when needed, and that’s a special gift Witt has given to me.

“Our first year of college never started how it was meant to and how a typical college freshman would be entering this environment. Because of the situation we were in, it made our class have a special bond because we had to work that much harder to form connections and set out on this new chapter of life. While we were on lockdown, we made the most of the worst, and here we are coming out of it, as the 2024 graduating class. We not only found each other, but we also found ourselves. I truly believe we are the most creative class. We figured out how to interact and spend time together, through the midst of isolation and lockdown.”

John Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.“All of the uncertainty also helped us grow. Wittenberg has given us the opportunity to grow as students and as people. At this school, we have found each other. We found ways to socialize and form new relationships, despite being isolated. We developed our own sense of community amid the chaos.” — Senior Class President Gabby Stern, a nursing major, and a psychology minor 

Words to the grads from a distinguished alum and proud liberal arts graduate of Wittenberg: "How many times have you been asked, 'What are you going to do with that liberal arts degree? The right answer is 'whatever I want.' In other words, you now have the unique advantage of a liberal arts education that cannot be overstated. Contrary to the common belief that science, engineering, and mathematics graduates have the monopoly on success, the reality is that skills honed in your liberal arts education... are in high demand across industries."

The soft skills learned at Wittenberg, especially during the pandemic, are the same ones prioritized by employers and the ones that set liberal arts graduates apart every time. The Class of 2024 can now take those "soft skills and turn them into a superpower.” 

John Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.“Having light we pass it on to others,” she said, quoting Wittenberg’s motto, and explaining how it should remind all the graduates of their “collective responsibility to share knowledge and contribute positively to society."
The speaker further encouraged the members of the Class of 2024 to do the following:

• "Dare to take risks in a field that you are passionate about. This is where you’ll find your true drive and purpose."
• "Enrich your liberal arts background by weaving in technology. This powerful combination prepares you for the future and sets you apart in your career."
• "Embrace your vulnerabilities. They are not weaknesses, but strengths to allow for deeper connections and more authentic leadership."

"As you venture into this world, carry this light boldly, share it generously, and maybe one day you’ll return to Wittenberg to share the light that was given to you."
— Megan Frost, Wittenberg class of 1994 and the director of product design for Apple, Inc., recipient of  an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters
Wittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.
More about Megan Frost: A product design leader with more than 25 years of experience in creating innovative and user-centric solutions that enhance the lives of millions of people around the world, Frost began her career as a senior designer at Silicon Graphics after graduating from Wittenberg with a degree in graphic design. She then moved on to a senior art director position at SBI-Razorfish before joining the Apple team in 2004 as a design lead for the iTunes Music Store, a year after the revolutionary service was introduced to the world. Now as director of product design at Apple, Frost oversees iCloud, Apple Maps, Education, Business, Wallet, and Pay. Leading a talented and diverse team of designers, researchers, and engineers, she oversees the end-to-end design process of product lines, from prototyping to testing and launch. Some of her recent projects include the creation of the 3D cartograph and Look Around features for Apple Maps and the creation of Family Sharing. At Apple, Frost has also leveraged her skills in creative direction, graphic design, branding, and more.

Source: Wittenberg UniversityJohn Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.
John Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.
John Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.
John Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.John Coffman | Courtesy Wittenberg UniversityWittenberg University celebrated its 2024 Commencement Exercises in the traditional picturesque outdoor setting on Saturday, May 11.