President Becerra gives commencement speech at the Academy of the Holy Cross

“Regardless of what your future career or life throws at you, don’t give up on your education and don’t give up on your dreams.”
 
Marymount University’s President, Dr. Irma Becerra, urged graduates of the Academy of the Holy Cross to follow that advice during her keynote address at the Class of 2020’s socially distant commencement ceremony on July 30.
 
In her speech, she also spoke about her excitement that the graduation ceremony could be arranged safely in person. Earlier in the year, the COVID-19 pandemic had cast doubt on whether there could be a ceremony at all. Because of that uncertainty, President Becerra had written a letter to be included in graduation boxes given to Academy of the Holy Cross seniors in case of cancelation.
 
“I am so excited for the opportunity to congratulate you as your graduation speaker, and wish you well on your future endeavors,” Dr. Becerra said. “You have faced such a great deal of adversity over the last few months, but that adversity and the challenges that have presented themselves are only making you stronger women. As the renowned writer and civil right activist Maya Angelou said, ‘You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.’”
 
Marymount University has close ties with the Academy of the Holy Cross – an all-girls, Catholic college preparatory high school sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, located in Kensington, Md. The two educational institutions partnered together for a dual enrollment program that allows rising seniors at Holy Cross to become eligible to take introductory courses at Marymount. These courses provide college credit at a discounted rate, and are transferable to the college that students will attend in many cases.
 
“Marymount University and the Academy of the Holy Cross have a special connection and a lot in common,” Dr. Becerra explained. “They both place a great significance on an education that is rooted in faith, values and Catholic tradition.”
 
Some courses available to Holy Cross students include English, Theology, and History and Social Science. Courses are taught at the Holy Cross campus during the school day by faculty members who have achieved adjunct faculty status at Marymount. Additionally, students from Holy Cross that participate in these programs have full access to Marymount campus facilities such as libraries, research opportunities and athletic spaces. 
 
About 50 Holy Cross students participated in the program and completed introductory courses through Marymount University. For more information on the dual enrollment program, click here.
 
For further information on the Holy Cross Baccalaureate and Graduation Ceremony, click here.