Transformation through Education

Winter Commencement Speaker will Reflect on the Power of Purpose

For Rochelle Parker, the path to earning her degree has been winding and unconventional. Parker first applied to Mount Mary University as a transfer student and was excited to begin her new journey. But shortly after her acceptance unforeseen life circumstances left Parker with the difficult decision to temporarily put her college education on hold.

This was not the end of her story, however. After much prayer and reflection, Parker began to feel a calling to study psychology. Although she had never pictured herself in the mental health field, she was nonetheless drawn by her heart and intuition. Parker describes this as the moment that she began to realize her life's purpose.

“God gave me a gift to help others and change lives for the better," she said. “I knew that I needed to use my strengths to help others.”

In 2022, Parker once again applied to Mount Mary as a transfer student from the technical school where she was enrolled. Although she was admittedly nervous about the transition, Parker credits MMU admissions staff with helping to make the transition a seamless experience.

The psychology major knew right away that she had found an environment in which she would thrive.

“I knew that I wanted to be at a small school with a diverse community, where I could grow and become empowered as a woman,” she said. “Mount Mary helped me find my voice and grow into a confident, empowered woman.”

The student commencement speaker will share her experiences and reflections during the Dec. 14 graduation ceremony in an address that will touch upon themes of transformation, growth and redemption.

Parker hopes that her story will inspire the graduating class to trust their intuition and transcend self-doubt. She credits her education and the warm, supportive environment that she found at Mount Mary with imparting many impactful lessons and helping her achieve her dreams.

And she is grateful for the Mount Mary community that believed in her and offered support throughout her academic journey.

“There are people out there who will see the best in you even when you can’t see it in yourself,” she said. “We are born to succeed and uplift others along the way. We are meant to be leaders.”

The 2024 winter commencement ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 in the Alumnae Dining Hall.

Tickets are required for the in-person event, but the ceremony will be livestreamed. 

The Graduate Hooding, Light of Learning ceremony and Commencement Mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 13, the evening before Commencement. The hooding ceremony will take place in the Alumnae Dining Hall at 4 p.m. The Mass will be held at 6 p.m. in Our Lady Chapel in Notre Dame Hall. The Light of Learning ceremony will follow at 7 p.m. in Stiemke Hall, also on the second floor of Notre Dame Hall.

For more information visit mtmary.edu/commencement.