On Monday, May 20, 12 seniors on the Shenandoah University men’s baseball team graduated as part of a special ceremony in the Brandt Student Center.
Congratulations to Baseball 2019 graduates:
- Robert Klinchock ’19 | Criminology & Criminal Justice alumni
- Robert Marcelle ’19 | Biology alumni
- Michael Robst ’19 | Exercise Science alumni
- Marlin Stevenson ’19 | Kinesiology alumni
- Tristan Baker ’19 | Sport Management alumni
- Ryan Coulon ’19 | Business Administration alumni
- Brandon McKenzie ’19 | Sport Management alumni
- Peter Mullholland ’19 | Business Administration alumni
- Jamie Naill, Jr. ’19 | Sport Management alumni
- Luke Nussman ’19 | Business Administration alumni
- Chris Seymour ’19 | Marketing alumni
- Jack Witner ’19 | Business Administration alumni
The Shenandoah University baseball team earned its first regional championship since 2010 with a 4-1 victory Sunday afternoon at the Union Regional over Kean University in New Jersey. While competing for the regional title, these 12 seniors could not attend Shenandoah’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, due to a game conflict.
The team has advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals and will play Johns Hopkins University in a best-of-three series that will take place this Friday, May 24, and Saturday, May 25.
This win is going to be fleeting. It’s what you learn from it that is not fleeting. It’s that feeling that you will carry with you. It is knowing ‘Oh my gosh, how can we play a fifth game in three days?’ It is finding that depth within everyone.”
President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.
Fitzsimmons told the graduates a story about Paralympic skier Bonnie St. John, the first African-American ever to win medals in a Winter Olympic competition, taking home a silver and two bronze medals at the 1984 Winter Paralympics. Shenandoah recognized St. John with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at Saturday’s commencement.
The story told of the one-legged skier’s fall during the 1984 Winter Olympics, and how she was trained to get back up and keep going.
I was ahead in the slalom. But in the second run, everyone fell on a dangerous spot. I was beaten by a woman that got up faster than I did. I learned that people fall down, winners get up, and gold medal winners just get up faster.”
Bonnie St. John | Paralympic skier & 2019 Shenandoah University Doctorate of Humane Letters Recipient
President Fitzsimmons advised the graduates to do the same and to go on and do great things for a lifetime.
Just like Shenandoah has trained you. Just like your coaches have trained you, and your parents. You fall down, get up, keep going. Do what you’ve been trained to do. Do it well. Do it the best you can.”
President Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.
Board of trustees member Marjorie S. Lewis brought greetings and congratulations from her fellow trustees. She said the trustees were proud of the students and how they exemplified Shenandoah by being curious, engaged, hardworking and dedicated.
We are probably more proud of the men you are, on and off the field. You exemplify what it means to be student-athletes.”
Marjorie S. Lewis
The ceremony ended with remarks by Provost Adrienne Bloss, Ph.D., and a singing of the alma mater.
