The first two graduates of Bellarmine’s new Health Humanities program— Olivia Remmert and Abrayah McMillen— received their degrees at the university’s 71st annual commencement exercises on May 11 at Freedom Hall. The program is
the first of its kind in Kentucky.
McMillen was cheered on by her mother, Dr. Alice Kimble, director of Bellarmine’s Office of Health Services.
Also on May 11, the Powell quintuplets, who entered Bellarmine in Fall 2020, completed their college journey as Ella (Nursing) and Jackson (Business) crossed the stage. Chloe Powell ’22 is pursuing a master’s at Southern Baptist Theological
Seminary; Jacob owns a Culver’s restaurant in Louisville; and Samuel joined the Army Reserves.
In total, Bellarmine conferred 855 degrees at two ceremonies, one for undergraduates and one for graduate/doctoral students.
The Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre, Archbishop of Louisville, spoke at the undergraduate ceremony, and Bellarmine Trustee Michael Hobbs ’71/’83 MBA spoke at the graduate/doctoral ceremony. Both received honorary degrees.
In her remarks to the undergraduates, President Susan M. Donovan noted that the commencement ceremony was especially important for the Class of 2024, many of whom were denied high school graduations by the pandemic and who began their time at Bellarmine
essentially online.
“Despite all that, the Class of 2024 is the most impressive class I’ve seen in my seven years as president of Bellarmine,” she said. “Not only has the class demonstrated incredible resiliency, but it is also filled with exceptional
leaders.”
The graduating class, she said, helped Bellarmine relaunch alternative spring break, expand Knights Pantry, cultivate early arrival programs, grow Registered Student Organizations and Greek life and start new campus traditions, such as MLK Week of Social
Responsibility, the faculty/staff-versus-students homecoming game, and the Human Library.
“You have made your mark on Bellarmine, and you have mentored students to take the mantle. We are grateful for your courage and persistence. We are better because we have known you.”
For more commencement coverage, including Great Grad stories, visit the 2024 Commencement page.