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During a Commencement weekend when happy moments were shared and celebrated, members of the Class of 2023 were urged to build human relationships and serve others

Inhis remarks to the Class of 2023, former U.S. Congressman Richard A. Gephardt told the students they were now in the “7% Club,” as there are only about 500 million people in the world — out of roughly 8 billion — who have a college degree. Because of a threat of inclement weather, the ceremony was held in the Huff Athletic Center.

Both Gephardt and the May 13 Baccalaureate speaker — College Chaplain the Rev. John Huxtable ’04 — praised that accomplishment and gave the graduates new goals to attain, with a theme of helping others.

Gephardt — a Democrat who was a U.S. representative from the St. Louis area from 1977-2005, House Majority Leader from 198995 and Minority Leader from 1995-2003 — also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the College.

In a message of unification he titled “Go Forth with Purpose,” Huxtable read a favorite passage of his written by Trappist monk and theologian Thomas Merton, then shared his thoughts.

“Your call is to walk into the greater community with a sense of purpose — with a sense of seeing the true nature of humanity in all creation,” Huxtable said at the ceremony, held in Dahl Chapel and Auditorium. “Tear down the walls that continue to keep people on the margins and at arm’s length. Each of you can go forth into the world with a purpose of changing the narratives of ‘us versus them’ until there is only us.”

The other featured speaker at the Commencement ceremony was senior Addison Cox of Morton, Illinois, the College’s Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

“Take pride in who you have become and who you will become,” she said.

Fifteen members of the Class of 2023 graduated summa cum laude, with the highest distinction, which means they finished with a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 to 4.00. In addition to Cox, those students included:

Kaitlyn Fox of Villa Park, Ill.; Karen Fredrick of St. Charles, Ill.; Jeffrey Garrett of Aledo, Ill.; Shay Hafner of Sterling, Ill.; Danielle Hagens of Aledo, Ill.; Kassidy Johnson of Petersburg, Ill.; Clarissa Kampe of Peculiar, Mo.; Samera Lesher of Galesburg, Ill.; Tim McNally of Paw Paw, Ill.; Molly Parsons of Oquawka, Ill.; Hanna Pullen of Roanoke,Texas; Bailey Shimmin of Monmouth; Nicole Welch of Altona, Ill.; and Emma Wolfe of Galesburg.

Also announced were the recipients of the College’s three Hatch Awards for Academic Excellence. Classics professor Bob Simmons received the Hatch Award for service, while the Hatch Award for scholarship went to Anne Mamary from the department of philosophy and religious studies. Educational professor Michelle Holschuh Simmons received the Hatch Award for Distinguished Teaching.

To read more about Commencement Weekend 2023, see more than 2,300 photos from the events and watch videos and highlights from the weekend, go to monmouthcollege.edu/commencement.

CLOCKWISE FROM LOWER LEFT: Emily Laughlin, Jaedyn Mitchell and Lily Harlan celebrate during Senior April Zorn Memorial Stadium. .. Former U.S. Rep. Richard addresses the Class of 2023. … Members of the Class of after taking their class photo on the steps of the Huff … Toasting Senior Sendoff at April Zorn Memorial Stadium: Squire, left, Gabrielle Crothers and Kaitlyn Fox. … celebrates his diploma with family members. … Members of 2023 celebrate after moving the tassel on their mortar