While the early morning showers forced the ceremony indoors, the rain did not dampen the spirits of the Malvern Prep community as the School celebrated its 88th commencement today in the O’Neill Sports Center. Malvern paid tribute to the 127 seniors of the Class of 2014, who were lauded for their accomplishments, as well as their commitment to service and to the brotherhood that they all share.
Class Speaker Michael Vermeil noted that while sometimes it may be a dog-eat-dog world, he knows that the School and all of his Malvern brothers will always be there for him. He reflected on the outstanding education that he and his classmates received to prepare them for that world, but he stressed that “Malvern taught me to be a good person, and that is the most important lesson of all.”
Vermeil was then joined on stage by fellow graduate John Monday, and the duo treated the audience to an excellent rendition of the Beatles “In My Life,” in which the graduates sang and played acoustic guitars.
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As Vermeil and Monday left the stage to a standing ovation, Commencement Speaker Michael Lewers ’79 P’12’14 T took his position at the podium to deliver his remarks. Lewers, an alumnus, current parent and Trustee, is the managing director and head of U.S. Wealth Advisory Private Client Business at BlackRock. He confessed that when he was in those seats the Class of 2014 now occupied, he was thinking about getting an early start to Senior Week at the Shore, so he promised to be brief.
Though short, his words were inspiring. He wanted the graduates to remember that “you are what you think,” and that life is filled with choices. He then shared examples from two lists, one easy and one hard. On the easy list were things like kindness, compassion and empathy. He challenged the class to choose to do more of the easy things.
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“They don’t cost anything, and they don’t take any time,” so why don’t more people do them?” he said.
The other list was filled with things that were hard, but fulfilling, such as graduating, going to college and having a family. His message, “If you can’t get the easy things right, you won’t be able to get the hard things right.”
Lewers reiterated that how you think determines who you are and wished the Class of 2014 success in their life journeys. “God bless you, God bless your families and God bless the brotherhood of Malvern Prep,” he closed.
Malvern’s commencement ceremony began at 10:00 a.m. with a Baccalaureate Liturgy, presided over by the Rev. Jim Flynn, O.S.A., Malvern President, and featured musical selections throughout by the Liturgical Music Group and Wind Ensemble. The Commencement ceremony began with the Class Speaker and Commencement Address, and included a number of Academic Excellence and Memorial Awards (below) before the conferring of diplomas by Fr. Flynn, Head of School Christian Talbot, and Assistant Head of School Steven Valyo ’70. The formal ceremony ended with a final blessing by Fr. Flynn before the traditional cap toss around the statue of St. Augustine at the entrance to campus.
Senior Awards
Highest Grade Point Average for Senior Year: Luke Bushner
Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average for Four Years: Luke Bushner
Memorial Awards
The Thomas J. O’Brien ’67 Memorial Award: Jacob Anderson
(Given to a senior who excels in academics and athletics.)
The Father Duffy Memorial Award for Activities and Leadership: John Monday
(Given to a senior who is an active leader in his class.)
The Grifferty Award: Daniel Ferraiolo
(Named for longtime teacher and Augustinian, presented to a senior who has performed beyond highest expectations through persistence and positive attitude.)
Christian Service Award
The Saint Augustine Christian Service Award: Brandon Butz and Mark Palmarella
In addition, on Wednesday morning at the Senior-Parent Awards Breakfast, a special award and scholarship was given to Colin Sullivan of Drexel Hill – the Michael P. Finnegan ’81 Scholarship, given in memory of the man who dedicated his student years to the service of the school, and who later served as Malvern’s alumni director, theology teacher, and who continued to remain involved in campus ministry and the spiritual life of the school.
