Saint Mary's College took advantage of the sunny day on Saturday. The college's 161st annual
commencement ceremonies were held Saturday afternoon. Nearly 400 Saint Mary's graduates received their degrees. The great weather allowed ceremonies to go as planned, outdoors.

Susan Peters, class of '75, was the commencement speaker. Peters is Vice President of Executive Development and Chief Learning Officer for General Electric.

Some graduates say they have jobs lined up, while others have plans to go on to graduate school. They say they can't believe how fast their college years went. “Very well worth it, I loved my time here, was amazing, couldn't have asked for a better college experience,” says Sarita, graduating from Saint Mary’s.

“I feel very blessed to be the first graduate of my family and also to be one of very few minorities to graduate. I'm blessed and humbled,” says graduate Kimberly Hodges, Saint Mary’s Student Body President.

“It's very bittersweet because I'm leaving this environment and my friends and everything, that means so much to me,” adds graduate Grace Lynch.

Newscenter 16 also congratulates this year's valedictorian at Saint Mary’s College. Lesley Anne Weaver of Grand Rapids earned a 3.97 grade point average as a Political Science and Social Work double major, with a minor in Mathematics.