Photo Illustration by Michael Yu and Erin Rice 2 THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM DAILY Administration plans ceremony ndsmcobserver.com By KAYLA MULLEN Jenkins said. “Due to the on Saturday,” Hurley said. and departments plan the P. O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Associate News Editor outstanding hard work of “Undergraduate stu- academic components of in- 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 our architectural and facili- dents have their degree dividual ceremonies.” Editor-in-Chief After an Aug. 28 email an- ties team here at Notre Dame conferred by Fr. Jenkins at “The Office of Campus Greg Hadley Managing Editor Business Manager nounced Commencement and our construction part- the University Ceremony Safety oversees the secu- Jack Rooney Cristina Gutierrez Asst. Managing Editor: Mary Green would be held in the Purcell ners and the blessings of a on Sunday morning, then rity and safety protocols at Asst. Managing Editor: Wei Lin Pavilion of the Joyce Athletic relatively good streak of win- receive their diploma at events.” Asst. Managing Editor: Lesley Stevenson and Convocation Center ter weather, construction is various College or depart- In the case of severe News Editor: Margaret Hynds Viewpoint Editor: Tabitha Ricketts (JACC) due to Campus ahead of schedule, giving us mental ceremonies on weather — defined as light- Sports Editor: Zach Klonsinski Crossroads construction, a window to make the stadi- Sunday afternoon.” ning, high winds and heavy Scene Editor: Erin McAuliffe Saint Mary’s Editor: Haleigh Ehmsen students were dismayed to um available for commence- Commencement will be- and persistent rain – the Photo Editor: Zach Llorens Graphics Editor: Erin Rice learn each graduate would ment and making it possible gin at 9 a.m. in the Stadium Commencement ceremony Multimedia Editor: Brian Lach be limited to three tickets for all family and friends of on Sunday, while the College will be moved into the JACC, Online Editor: Michael Yu Advertising Manager: Elaine Yu each. However, University the graduates to attend.” and departmental ceremo- the Commencement website Ad Design Manager: Jasmine Park Controller: Cristina Gutierrez President Fr. Jenkins an- Over 3,000 students are nies will begin at 1 p.m. that said. Each graduate received nounced in a town hall meet- graduating this weekend same day, according to the three “Severe Weather” tick- Office Manager & General Info ing Feb. 17 that a mild winter in 19 different ceremo- Commencement website. ets; all other guests without Ph: (574) 631-7471 Fax: (574) 631-6927 and faster-than-expected nies, University Registrar Planning for a “Severe Weather” ticket Advertising work by the construction Chuck Hurley said. Nearly Commencement is year- will be able to watch the cer- (574) 631-6900 [email protected] crew made it possible to tem- 23,000 guests are expected round, Hurley said. emony live, which will be Editor-in-Chief porarily halt construction for to attend the University “[There are] over 100 com- broadcasted in auditoriums (574) 631-4542 [email protected] Commencement weekend. Commencement ceremony mencement-related events in nearby large buildings, Managing Editor (574) 631-4542 [email protected] “We know the decision to in the Stadium, he said. this week,” Hurley said. “The the website said. Assistant Managing Editors relocate commencement to “Post-baccalaureate stu- Office of the Registrar coor- (574) 631-4541 [email protected] [email protected], [email protected] the Joyce Center troubled the dents have their degrees con- dinates the commencement Contact Kayla Mullen at Business Office senior class in particular,” ferred and receive diplomas ceremonies. Various colleges [email protected] (574) 631-5313 News Desk (574) 631-5323 [email protected] Viewpoint Desk (574) 631-5303 [email protected] Sports Desk (574) 631-4543 [email protected] Scene Desk (574) 631-4540 [email protected] Saint Mary’s Desk [email protected] Photo Desk (574) 631-8767 [email protected] Systems & Web Administrators (574) 631-8839 Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac and Saint Mary’s College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of either institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content. The news is reported as accurately and objectively as possible. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the majority of the Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Assistant Managing Editors and department editors. Commentaries, letters and columns present the views of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer. Viewpoint space is available to all readers. The free expression of all opinions through letters is encouraged. Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include contact information. Questions regarding Observer policies should be directed to S aint Mary’s selects valedictorian Editor-in-Chief Greg Hadley. Post Office Information said. rehearsal.” school in their mid-to-late The Observer (USPS 599 2-4000) is published Monday through Friday By HALEIGH EHMSEN except during exam and vacation periods. S aint Mary’s Editor The idea of writing a Under the direction of mu- 20s.” A subscription to The Observer is $130 for one academic year; $75 for one semester. speech for graduation is both sic professor Laurel Thomas, Miller said her decision to The Observer is published at: 024 South Dining Hall Editor’s note: This article exciting and daunting, Miller who became Miller’s “men- attend Saint Mary’s was in- Notre Dame, IN 46556-0779 Periodical postage paid at Notre Dame and additional mailing offices previously ran in the March said. tor, teacher and inspiration,” fluenced by what she calls POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: 19 print edition of The “I am planning to discuss Miller said she flourished at the College’s perfect pairing The Observer P.O. Box 779 Observer. my personal experience at Saint Mary’s. of the voice and dance pro- 024 South Dining hall Notre Dame, IN 46556-077 Saint Mary’s and the values According to a College grams, the opportunities to The Observer is a member of the Associated Press. All reproduction rights are reserved. Senior Sarah Miller has press release, Thomas said be exposed to science and been named the valedictori- Miller is a determined indi- the sisterhood she experi- an of the Saint Mary’s College vidual with great dedication ence during her first visit. Today’s Staff class of 2015. to the arts. “I absolutely loved all of Miller, a music major “Sarah has the personal the girls I met when I toured and dance minor, is origi- strength, the patience to Saint Mary’s and imme- News Sports ar M argaret Hynds Zach Klonsinski nally from Carmel, Indiana. M continually work toward her diately knew it was were I Haleigh Ehmsen Renee Griffin Miller Sarah Miller has been involved on aint goals, the passion for music wanted to be,” Miller stated Kayla Mullen Marek Mazurek S valedictorian y’s campus as a member of the and learning that is vital to a in the press release. “The op- Graphics Scene SMC Dance Team and has of sisterhood and indepen- life in the arts,” Thomas said. portunities are endless, and E rin Rice E rin McAuliffe performed in the College’s dence that I have gained Following graduation, I encourage current and in- Photo Viewpoint Wei Lin Tabitha Ricketts choir, musicals and operas here,” she said. Miller said she plans to at- coming students to not only throughout her undergradu- Miller said she believes her tend graduate school for take advantage of learning in ate years. most important moments at vocal performance and is the classroom but also from Upon finding out she had Saint Mary’s stem from her currently in the process of your peers outside of that Corrections received the title of valedic- experience as a music major. auditioning. environment. The Observer regards itself as torian, Miller said she was “My immersive experi- “This is an extremely long “Finding a balance in col- a professional publication and pleasantly surprised, accord- ences on stage have been the and difficult process,” she lege can be difficult, but luck- strives for the highest standards ing to a College press release. most influential,” she said. “I said. “I’m crossing my fingers ily you will always have the of journalism at all times. We do, “[I] feel so honored to have learned so much about that I will get into a school Saint Mary’s sisterhood as however, recognize that we will make represent women that I my voice and myself through next year, but many singers your support system.” mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at (574) 631-4541 so have learned so much from the hours that I have spent have to wait a couple years to we can correct our error. throughout my four years at alone in a practice room let their voices mature. Many Contact Haleigh Ehmsen at Saint Mary’s College,” Miller as well as onstage in opera opera singers go to graduate [email protected] NEWS NDSMCOBSERVER.COM | FRIDAY, may 15, 2015 | THE OBSERVER 3 Senior Anna Kottkamp named ND valedictorian By MARGARET HYNDS the natural world and es- time commitment being in N ews Editor pecially how land use both athletics was initially, so it effects humans and is af- just makes you have to shift S enior Anna Kottkamp — fected by humans. That was some of your priorities. But the class of 2015 valedictori- a big turning point, when I in some ways, that’s a really an — learned early on in her switched my majors to envi- good thing.