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Noonan speaks at third AMU commencement
May 13, 2007
Peggy Noonan, bestselling author and columnist for The Wall Street Journal, delivered the commencement address at Ave Maria University's third commencement ceremony May 12, 2007.
"I believe you are at the beginning of something brilliant here at Ave Maria," Noonan said, addressing her remarks to the graduating class. "I believe you are at the beginning of what will be known as the great Catholic university of the 21st century in America."
Noonan encouraged the graduates to share the fruits of their AMU education with the entire world, and praised the caliber of spiritual and intellectual training they have received.
"There is a lot of good stuff happening here," she said of AMU.
Seventy-four graduating seniors received Bachelor of Arts degrees at the ceremony, and 13 graduate students were awarded master's in theology degrees. Senior Kristen Harr was the valedictorian of the class of 2007, and Dr. William Riordan, professor of theology, made remarks on behalf of the AMU faculty at the request of the graduating class.
In addition to delivering the commencement address, Noonan received an honorary doctorate from AMU, conferred by Chancellor Thomas S. Monaghan. The day before the commencement ceremony, Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, editor-in-chief of First Things, presided over the university's Baccalaureate Mass and was also given the honorary degree, doctor of humane letters, honoris causa.