Mother McAuley Sends Off Class of 2015

—from Mother McAuley High School

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School held its 58th commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17 at the Shannon Center on the campus of Saint Xavier University. Families and friends of the 278 graduates gathered together to celebrate the occasion.

The Mother McAuley Class of 2015 has many accomplishments to recognize, including a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a Golden Apple Scholar of Illinois, nine athletic signings in two different sports and 34 Illinois State Scholars, to name a few. One of the most impressive facts is the amount of merit-based scholarships awarded to the Class of 2015 from the colleges and universities for which they applied, which totals $30 million.

The Class of 2015 was the third graduating class from McAuley to process across the stage at the neighboring Saint Xavier University. Floor-length white gowns were worn by the graduates, following a tradition that has existed since the school first opened its doors in 1846. Near the end of the ceremony, senior Chorus members sang “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent as a tribute to their fellow classmates. The remainder of the ceremony included the announcement of graduates, speeches by valedictorian Erin Coghlan ‘15 (Morgan Park) and student speaker, Elizabeth Evans ’15 (Morgan Park), and the introduction of the alumna speaker by salutatorian, Margaret O’Grady ‘15 (Evergreen Park).

This marks the second year that Mother McAuley has invited an alumna to address the graduates during commencement. This year’s speaker was Dr. Susan McNicholas Rowan, D.D.D., ‘76. Dr. Rowan received a degree in Dental Hygiene from Prairie State College and began her undergraduate degree at Saint Xavier University, before transferring to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, from which she obtained her bachelor of science degree in 1982, and her doctorate of dental science in 1984.

Her career has been extensive and incredibly successful, beginning at the University of Illinois at Chicago as a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Prosthodontics. She has since moved up the ranks, earning the appointment of Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs in the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2014. Throughout her teaching career, she has worked as a Dental Hygienist in Oak Lawn, and held a private practice for 27 years. She also is an active member of the community, serving on the fundraising committee at Little Company of Mary Hospital since 2001, volunteering at the Health Fair for Catholic Charities, and holding the position of Coordinator of Annual Student Awards for the UIC College of Dentistry, to name a few.

Valedictorian Erin Coghlan ‘15, a graduate of Saint Cajetan, completed her senior year with a cumulative G.P.A. of 4.55 and leaves the school with many honored accomplishments. She was a member of the freshman B and JV volleyball teams, serving as the captain of the team during her freshman year. She also was a member of the lacrosse team throughout her four years at McAuley. In addition, Erin was a member of the Math Macs team, through which she placed 2nd in regionals in the junior/senior two-person division in both 2014 and 2015. She also was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society; was a Student Ambassador all four years, taking on the role of senior leader this past year; participated in the Varsity Club Leadership Board; was a member of the Catherine McAuley Honors Scholars (CMHS) program, in which she served as sophomore governing board member and scholar sister, junior co-director and senior co-director; was a member of the Senior Prom Committee and the Seniors Give Back Class Gift Campaign; and was chosen to be one of the Big Six Kairos leaders at the end of her junior year. Erin was named an Illinois State Scholar and is an AP Scholar with Distinction. Next year, she will attend the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she hopes to study business.

Margaret O’Grady ‘15, a graduate of Most Holy Redeemer, is the salutatorian with a 4.48 G.P.A. At Mother McAuley, Margaret served on the Student Council as homeroom rep, junior co-chair, and president during her final year; was a member of the Catherine McAuley Honors Scholars program, serving as senior co-director; was a member of Student Ambassadors, taking on the role of senior leader this past year; was a member of the National Honor Society and National English Honor Society; participated on the Math Macs team; and played lacrosse throughout her four years at the school. She will attend St. Louis University next, where she has been admitted into their medical scholars program.

Elizabeth Evans ‘15 was voted by her classmates as student speaker for the graduation ceremony. At McAuley, Elizabeth was a member of the National Honor Society, in which she held a leadership position; served as president for the National Spanish Honor Society; was a member of the National English Honor Society; was active in the Model UN club; served on the Varsity Club Leadership Board; was involved in the theatre program, performing in the fall musicals; and was a member of the Advanced Chorus. Elizabeth received the prestigious Chick Evans Scholarship and will attend Indiana University in the fall, with the aim to work in the Foreign Service for the UN, or for the State Department.

Photos

Main: The senior members of the Catherine McAuley Honors Scholars program, which was instituted to recognize superior academic achievement, offer opportunities for academic and cultural enrichment, encourage further development of skills and talents, and reward high-scoring students for their endeavors.

Secondary: Graduates of the Class of 2015 pose by the front sign at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.

Third: Principal Ms. Eileen Boyce ’03 (left), valedictorian Erin Coghlan ’15, student speaker Elizabeth Evans ’15, salutatorian Margaret O’Grady ’15 and president Mrs. Mary Acker Klingenberger ’75 at Mother McAuley’s 58th graduation ceremony on May 17.

Final: Student speaker Elizabeth Evans ’15 (left), alumna speaker Dr. Susan McNicholas Rowan ’76, salutatorian Margaret O’Grady ’15 and valedictorian Erin Coghlan ’15 stand before the podium at Mother McAuley’s 58th graduation ceremony on May 17.