WHITING – Change was in the air as soon-to-be graduates and their loved ones gathered at Calumet College of St. Joseph’s spring commencement. Enduring and timeless themes also took center stage at the event.
On May 9, students queued up to enter the Dennis and Leslie Rittenmeyer Athletic Center where 184 degrees were conferred at the 64th annual graduation. The school family also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the institution’s founding by the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in 1951.
Serving as the president of CCSJ since 2017, Amy McCormack, Ed.D., announced her retirement effective in June. In her personal remarks, the first female leader of the Region college said the timing of the graduation exercises made her reflect on her most important contributions to the world.
“I will complete my ninth commencement today on May 9, which also seems so appropriate because it is the day before Mother’s Day. That day embraces my own next chapter,” McCormack explained.
She continued, “The title mother, mom and ‘may-me’ – which is what my two little granddaughters call me – are my most important titles. While I have had many titles, the work I do as a mom will have the greatest and longest-lasting legacy.”
While encouraging graduates to be leaders who utilize the skills they gleaned in college, she implored each of them to also “be a friend” and someone who “makes time for conversation.”
Commencement addresses were preceded by the conferral of one special degree destined to grace the mantle of Bishop Robert J. McClory. McCormack, along with the school’s chairman of the board of trustees, Lawrence Meyers, stepped forward to present an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa to the bishop.
First stating that the gesture was a great honor, the bishop began an address that was like a personal conversation with the mainly youthful audience. “All of us have a mission, a purpose that the Lord wants us to fulfill,” he said.
“In various corporate and other trends reflecting upon this, there’s a question that comes more to the surface and that is, ‘What’s your why?’” Bishop McClory explained. “That can be a difficult question, but with a little work and a little reflection, the answer can come to us.
“That sense in my own life is ‘God, you want me to serve others,’ so I think being a public servant – whatever that may mean – is a way to do that,” he continued. “And so that ‘why’ in my own heart began to grow.”
Bishop McClory highlighted the fact that many of the graduating CCSJ members pursued degrees in areas such as business, criminal justice and public safety. “For all of you, it’s noble and good that you would seek to serve others … even in the challenges,” he said.
The diocesan shepherd’s remarks concluded with a prayer of the 16th-century Spanish Doctor of the Church Sr. Teresa of Avila, which featured both consolation and mission.
“Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you,” he prayed, “All things pass; God alone does not change. Patience achieves everything. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.
The bishop continued, “Christ has no body now on Earth, but yours … yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people.”
Calumet College class of 2026 valedictorian Sadie Olesh stood to deliver an address to her peers. She said she had just about wrapped up her degree requirements when she was informed that she would be responsible for a commencement speech. “As you can imagine, I was overjoyed by this news.”
Eliciting laughter from her fellow students, she quickly delved into a message of appreciation and optimism.
“What you should ultimately take away from this is that you’ve been through college (and it ) shows your ability to commit to something challenging and to be able to see it through to the end,” Olesh said.
Whereas the gymnasium sound system first amplified the themes of trust and responsibility, playing the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down” as guests found their seats, the audio at the conclusion of the event became an upbeat call to “Celebration,” as the song by Kool & the Gang became the walk-off music for the class of 2026.
Outside on the lawn in front of the gymnasium, a tall young man stood among fellow graduates receiving congratulations from friends and family. Gioele Iacono, of Milan, Italy, has resided in Northwest Indiana since beginning studies toward a Bachelor of Science in business management.
Under the sunny Midwest sky, Iacono and his visiting parents recalled getting more than a slice of American life. The day before, they attended a White Sox game in Chicago. In Italian, he joked that they could all go out for pizza at Pope Leo XIV’s favourite pizzeria, Aurelio’s in Homewood, Ill.
Iacono said he already lined up a job and will be working in suburban Chicago at a firm where he can apply knowledge from his academic concentration. “My cybersecurity professor has been a great Help for me; he’s been like family when my family wasn’t here,” he explained.
“I’m so happy to be here today,” said the CCSJ alumnus.
Graduates spoke of Calumet College as an extended family, where people of many backgrounds prosper in an immersive, faith-filled setting.
Class of 2026 member Tamico Strong held her Public Safety Management degree in her photos with her loved ones. Some family members traveled across the country to be part of her special day, including her Godparents, former Chicago residents, who now live in metropolitan Dallas.
Strong did not complain about standing or moving about at commencement exercises, though she is nine months pregnant with a baby boy. She instead reflected on the blessings of her education and some of the cardinal virtues inherent in the learning environment.
“My instructors were very good, very supportive,” said Strong. “I feel like I learned a lot. Even in my cohort, everybody worked together.”
