As another semester has flown by, the December graduate class of 2022 found its way across the stage of the Niss Athletic Center for winter 2022 commencement on Dec. 17. 

The class of approximately 300 undergraduate and graduate students comprises the colleges of Art, Education, Nursing, Business and Economics and Natural and Social sciences. 

Student Body President Tiffany Sims led the Student Welcome and introduced AU Provost Dr. Amiel Jarstfer who welcomed all in attendance as AU President Dr. Carlos Campo was absent due to COVID-19 exposure. 

Jarstfer addressed the graduates and recognized the hard work and dedication of all graduates, faculty, family and friends. 

Ashland Mayor Matt Miller addressed the graduates and read the words of the Alma Mater, finishing with “And Ashland belongs to you.” 

In the commencement address, Kristen Maurer, keynote speaker and AU alumna, spoke about her experience as a kindergarten educator and left the graduates with the inspiration of education and life lessons, drawing out the inner child of every graduate. 

Her address was filled with an homage to Katie Nageotte, Olympic gold medalist and AU alumna, and a visual on the jar of life filled with golf balls, pebbles and sand. 

As a Milken Education Award recipient, Maurer expressed the importance of the award. As of the ceremony, Ashland University had 6 Milken Award recipients. 

Valedictorian Elizabeth Hohler gave the senior class presentation, stating, “We plan for the future, but doing so too much can cause us to miss the present.”

“College has taught me that it becomes so easy to get caught up in ‘the grind.’ What really matters in the end isn’t what you have to do, but what you want to do. Make sure to take time to experience what will be your favorite parts in life,” Hohler added. 

Other speakers included Dr. James Hess, Board of Trustees chair, and Dr. Rosaire Ifedi, faculty senate president.