May 3, 2025

Wheeling University Commencement Speaker Tells Graduates to Make Their Dreams Happen

WHEELING, W.Va., May 3 – Wheeling University’s Director of Campus Ministry, Rev. David Griffin told the class of 2025 they had final assignment as they embark on their professional careers … don’t listen to the critics – make your dreams happens.

During the Wheeling University’s 67th Commencement exercises, President Dianna M. Vargo, Ed.D., presented degrees to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students. Additionally, Fr. Griffin was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

In his address, Fr. Griffin told the graduates after four years of early morning practices, service projects, coffee in the kiosk, and midnight food runs to Sheetz, it is time to begin again. Commencement, he noted, marks the completion of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. He reminded them to remain grounded in the mission by always being men and women for life, leadership and service.

Father also shared lessons he has learned. “Be for something and not just complain about it. Seek out role models and mentors and become one yourself. Admit when things go wrong and seek a solution instead of an excuse. Never settle for ‘good enough,’ you are better than that.”

He said, in 1960, President Kennedy told the world at his inauguration, the United States would send astronauts to the moon within a decade. “Critics immediately said, it wouldn’t happen, we don’t have the technology. Decades later, the Space agency announced that a space station would be launched and circle the Earth … critics said it wouldn’t happen, it is too expensive.” 

“So, one final assignment … in the diversity of your professional careers, dream and make it happen.” 

Before handing out degrees to the Class of 2025, President Vargo offered some words of encouragement to the graduates.

“Go strong with confidence and determination from this day forward,” she said. “Be our proud example of Wheeling University.”

Class Valedictorian, Jade Miller of Washington, Pennsylvania, said when she chose to attend her father’s alma mater, many asked her ‘why Wheeling?’ Four years after she became a Cardinal, Miller took the opportunity Saturday to thank God for leading her and her classmates to “little old Wheeling, West Virginia.” 

“I grew up in a household that never pressured me in school, they just asked that I do my best. My family made it very clear to me that my value was not found in my accolades, but in the person I am. They loved me no matter how I performed, similar to how God feels about us!”

She added, “As much as we excelled in our given areas of school, this is not the reason I will remember you all by. These are the things I find important and what I will remember you all by. I will remember you by your character, your kindness, your compassion, and your love… So, no matter what GPA you are leaving here with, no matter how many (honor) cords are around your neck, know that God loves you, has a purpose for you, and sees value in his children.”

Miller concluded, “Wheeling University taught me, it is the people who make the place. Sometime between freshman year and now, my house became my parents’ house, and my friends here became my home. Which makes me believe those “West Virginia Country Roads” truly did take me home. Thank you, God, for bringing us to this very moment in this very place.”

Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, David Hendrickson, J.D., congratulated the graduates and asked them to help at least one individual each day. “It doesn’t matter how big or small the assist is, but what matters is that you are giving back to an individual you may or may not know. If we could get the entire world to do the same thing every day, it be a much better place to live?”

The University also honored Jill Emery, Chair of Nursing, by awarding her the Fr. Edward Gannon, S.J. Outstanding Teaching Award. Each year, Wheeling University gives two medals during Commencement to those graduates who have distinguished themselves both in service and in academics. The Mary Woomer Medal and Archbishop John J. Swint Medals, are given to the woman and man in the class who most exemplifies the ideals of Wheeling University. Riley Kindall was the recipient of the Woomer Medal, while Dasyn Hores was given the Swint Medal.