DALLAS TWP. — Emily Connell of Rush, N.Y., was named valedictorian of the Misericordia University winter commencement class of 2019.
The daughter of Dennis and Jodi Connell was awarded her bachelor’s degree in psychology, summa cum laude, at the Dec. 15 ceremony in the Anderson Sports and Health Center on campus. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and will continue her graduate education at Misericordia University in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
As an undergraduate student, Connell was an active member of the Misericordia University Dance Ensemble and Cougars for Autism Awareness Club, and consistently earned dean’s list honors. An award-winning member of the women’s lacrosse team, she was twice presented the Coach’s Award and was named to the Middle Atlantic Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Her long-term career goal is to work with children who have disabilities and movement disorders as a pediatric physical therapist.
A graduate of Rush-Henrietta High School, Connell was selected as student speaker for the Misericordia University winter commencement ceremony based on having the highest grade point average for the class as of the spring 2019 semester. In her address, she encouraged her fellow graduates to embrace the values they learned at Misericordia and carry them onward as servant leaders in their respective communities.
Kingston native G. Jonathan Greenwald, a career U.S. diplomat and retired specialist in international law and conflict prevention, was the keynote speaker during the commencement ceremony at which the university conferred degrees to 249 eligible students from 10 states. Dignitaries at the ceremony included Misericordia University President Thomas J. Botzman, Ph.D., and David Rehm, Ph.D., vice president of academic affairs.
