Lauren Fish of Bedford receives Durick Award during Saint Michael's College commencement week celebration

Related Media

Lauren Fish of Bedford receives award at Saint Michael's College from Rev. Brian Cummings, SSE

COLCHESTER, VT (05/18/2012)(readMedia)-- Lauren Fish, daughter of Cindy and David Fish of Bedford received the Durick Award during the week of May 11-14, celebrating the Saint Michael's College 105th commencement.

Ms. Fish, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature, magna cum laude, earned the Elizabeth A. Durick Award which is given to a senior "who has made a significant contribution to the Christian goals of Saint Michael's College."

"Ever since Lauren first arrived at Saint Michael's," said Rev. Brian Cummings, SSE, Director of Edmundite Campus Ministry, in presenting the award, "her enthusiasm and passion has been felt by many in our community, and we in Edmundite Campus Ministry have been blessed by her generous spirit and energy."

Father Cummings said further, "We couldn't even begin to list everything that Lauren has been involved in. From her enthusiastic 'yes' to carrying up the gifts at Orientation Mass her first year, to proclaiming a reading at this Sunday's Baccalaureate Mass, Laruen's involvement and dedication has showed how committed she is to serving God and others." And further he explained her leadership roles in the college's service activities:

"Lauren's involvement in MOVE extended service trips to the Dominican Republic and Immokalee Florida and nearly four years of serving as president of the Peace and Justice Club exemplifies how service is truly a foundational part of Christian life."

Commencement speaker, MTV media pioneer and humanitarian, Tom Freston, a member of the Saint Michael's graduate class of 1967, told the graduates hard work is key to your future. "My advice," he said, "is really to look for a career in fields that are on the ascent-social innoviation-and bring an old-fashioned work ethic to them."

"There is great value and sustaining dignity in good old-fashioned hard work, whether that means crunching numbers or cleaning bathrooms," Freston said.

Some 478 students received bachelor's degrees and another 65 received master's degrees at the commencement exercises held May 14th in the SMC Ross Sports Center. Some 4000 people including graduates and their families and friends, and faculty and staff of the college, located in Burlington, Vermont, heard excellent speeches from two students, from the college president, the chairman of the board, and from main speaker Tom Freston.

Learn What Matters at Saint Michael's College, The Edmundite Catholic liberal arts college, www.smcvt.edu . Saint Michael's provides education with a social conscience, producing graduates with the intellectual tools to lead successful, purposeful lives that will contribute to peace and justice in our world. Founded in 1904 by the Society of St. Edmund and headed by President John J. Neuhauser, Saint Michael's College is located three miles from Burlington, Vermont, one of America's top college towns. Identified by the Princeton Review as one of the nations Best 376 Colleges, and included in the 2012 Fiske Guide to Colleges, Saint Michael's has 1,900 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students. Saint Michael's students and professors have received Rhodes, Woodrow Wilson, Pickering, Guggenheim, Fulbright, and other grants. The college is one of the nation's top-100, Best Liberal Arts Colleges as listed in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

-30-