Mercersburg Celebrates 115th Commencement

Mercersburg's Class of 2008 participated in the Academy's 115th Commencement exercises June 7. The class is 122 members strong.

Student speakers at the ceremony included Valedictorian Remy Wheat of Richmond, Virginia; Salutatorian Emily Weiss of Greencastle, Pennsylvania; Schaff Orator David Strider of Charles Town, West Virginia; and Class Orator Laura Diller of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Class President Ethan Strickler gave the welcome; Diane Schrom provided the invocation and Chris McClintick the benediction. Chris Freeland and Lauren Dobish served as Class Marshals.

Members of the graduating class represent 18 states, the District of Columbia, and 16 nations. They will matriculate at 88 different colleges and universities this fall, including American University, Cornell University, Emory University, Indiana University, Kenyon College, McGill University, New York University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Richmond, the University of Rochester, the United States Naval Academy, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Virginia.

Faculty member and language department head Tom Thorne delivered the Commencement address. Thorne replaced the originally scheduled speaker, NBC News anchor Chris Matthews, who was forced to withdraw due to coverage of breaking events surrounding the 2008 election. Read Thorne's address.

Thorne, a graduate of Dickinson College and the University of Florida, is head of the language department and this year's senior class adviser, and has taught at Mercersburg since 1993.  He holds the David F. Chapman Chair, teaches Latin, and serves as faculty adviser to the KARUX (the Academy yearbook). His wife, Barbara, is the dorm dean of Culbertson House on campus; the couple's two daughters, Ellisa '06 and Julia '07, are both Mercersburg alumni.

On June 6, English teacher James Applebaum gave the Baccalaureate address in the Irvine Memorial Chapel. A faculty member at Mercersburg since 1998, Applebaum holds degrees from Washington and Lee University, Johns Hopkins University, and New York University. He serves as an adviser to the Mercersburg News and Blue Review, and is a dorm dean in Fowle Hall on campus. His wife, Laurie Mufson, is a faculty member and head of the Academy's fine arts department. Read Applebaum's address.

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QUOTES FROM COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY:

"Today is a celebration of hard work and dedicated service to a school we love."
-Ethan Strickler '08, president of the Class of 2008

"As I think about the campus and the community I will be leaving here, I realize I will sorely miss this place."
-Emily Weiss '08, salutatorian

"My advice to the class is to remember whatever you wish of your time here, whether bitter or sweet. But do continue to transform; no one has ever stayed the same. Take this chance to change."
-Laura Diller '08, class orator

"This world is going to be okay, because you will make it that way. This world is going to be okay, because you will make
it your responsibility to hold things together; to solve age-old problems and some new ones."
-Tom Thorne, Commencement speaker

"It is your good fortune that so many good teachers in this community have invested in you and have had you take away the many learnings that will serve you well in the future."
-Denise Dupre '76, president of Mercersburg's Board of Regents

"Mercersburg is no longer just a school to me--it is home."
-David Strider '08, Schaff orator

"I'm grateful to you for your boundless energy and ever-present enthusiasm--and your leadership."
-Douglas Hale, head of school

"The discussions I've had here with faculty and friends have taught me more than a textbook ever could."
-Remy Wheat '08, valedictorian

"Let us unite as one, work as one, and achieve as one... Let's grab this opportunity with both hands and show the world what we can do.
-Wheat

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Check back later this week for photos from the ceremony.