Malvern Prep Celebrates the Commencement of the Class of 2015

Malvern Preparatory School celebrated its 89th commencement on June 4 in the O’Neill Sports Center, paying tribute to the 123 seniors of the Class of 2015, who were lauded for their accomplishments, their commitment to service and community, and to the brotherhood that they all share.

Class Speaker Parker Abate, a resident of Malvern, likened his experience to a dream that started seven years ago when he joined the School as a sixth-grader. Most important to that experience were the bonds that he has formed with his classmates – brothers who gave his family unconditional support when his brother was diagnosed with cancer and who showed up en masse for the funeral of another classmate’s grandfather. When he asked his fellow graduates for a word that described Malvern, the answers included, “brotherhood, honor, love, unity, life-changing and impactful.”

Abate concluded his remarks by saying that he “couldn’t be more proud of what we have accomplished. We all have recurring dreams … my Malvern dream will be playing over and over again throughout my life.”

As Abate left the stage to a standing ovation, Commencement Speaker Tom McGuire ’75 took his position at the podium to deliver his remarks. McGuire, a Malvern alumnus, social studies teacher, historian and author is national-recognized as the leading scholar on Philadelphia-area Revolutionary War battles.

In his remarks, McGuire noted that he was honored to speak today, and noted that his own Malvern dream ended 40 years ago tomorrow, when he, himself, graduated from the School. “Forty years ago, where you are sitting right now was a corn field,” he said. “Today, that is hard to believe.”

McGuire used a service trip to South Africa that he chaperoned as a vehicle to show what this class has done and what he charged them to do in the future. Malvern students sang and danced with the Zulu people they met. They helped with homework, they donated clothing, and most important, they spent time and sat down for meals together as equals.

“You lived Caritas by doing these things,” he said. “Those few precious hours will not be forgotten by either group. The Zulu Nation embraced Friar Nation. But that service experience is a taste of what you can do and what must be done by you. You must seek and create opportunities to make those connections. The heart and soul of this place is community. It has grown while you are here – take it and run. Let your light shine.”

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: James Finnegan (Media)

Highest Cumulative Grade Point Average for Four Years: Nicholas Gabriele (Phoenixville)

Memorial Awards

The Thomas J. O’Brien ’67 Memorial Award: Peter Calvaresi (Malvern)

(Given to a senior who excels in academics and athletics.)

The Father Duffy Memorial Award for Activities and Leadership: Ryan Doane (Glen Mills)

(Given to a senior who is an active leader in his class.)

The Grifferty Award: Andrew Hopkins (Wallingford)

(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: Andrew Stetser (Havertown)

In addition, on Wednesday morning at the Senior-Parent Awards Breakfast, a special award and scholarship was given to Nicholas Gabriele – 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.