Darla Hopper, MLD, FAAC, vice president for enrollment management
This speech was presented at the Blessing of the Class on August 16, 2024.
“Students, you made the campus visit, you entered the gate and had your “Avenue Moment” and today is the day you have been preparing for, your college journey starts now. For some of you, this will be your final stop before you enter the workplace; some of you will continue to earn a professional degree. Time will pass quickly, and we will prepare you for either path you decide to follow.
The next four years will be filled with victories and losses, late nights and early mornings, study groups, stress, traditions and meeting lifelong friends. You have so much to experience here, and you belong here.
Along your journey to SMWC, you have been guided through the process by our exceptional staff in the admission and financial aid office. I would like to take a moment to recognize these teams:
- Chris Lozier – Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and the admissions team.
- Zach Reel – Director of Financial Aid and the financial aid team.
Here are some facts about this class:
- 240 new students will begin this fall, bringing our total campus population to over 600 students.
- We welcome new students from 20 states and seven foreign countries.
Parents, friends and loved ones, I can imagine today is a day full of emotion and excitement as you watch your students begin their journey. Please know we are committed to the responsibility of guiding your student through this life-changing experience and we appreciate the confidence you have in our community.
We call this place The Woods for obvious reasons. We are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty on campus that is ever-changing, growing and adapting. As our seasons come and go in the natural process set by God, we can all think of springtime when seeds are sown and new opportunity becomes life. In our Woods this is true for the mighty oak tree as it sheds acorns in hopes of growing new trees.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has many traditions tied to our Woods. We recognize the potential and strength of the acorn in our Woods as we recognize the potential and strength of each of you. You have weathered many storms, you have been planted here and we look forward to seeing you grow into a confident, equipped professional for your field of study.
President Randolph…Chris Lozier, associate vice president for enrollment management, is pleased to officially hand over this class of students to you as they begin their growing process in our Woods. Within this box is an acorn for each of the new students here today; please watch over them as they grow and develop in the coming years.
President Randolph… I present to you the class of 2028.”
Darla Hopper, MLD, FAAC, has worked in Higher Education since 1994. She joined SMWC in 2009, where she implemented new financial aid processes and immediately began making an impact on students. She attended Northwood University for her undergraduate degree, and she earned her master’s degree in Leadership Development from SMWC. She is also a Certified Financial Aid Administrator. Darla and her husband, Mark, are proud parents of five sons and nine grandchildren. In addition to her love for The Woods, Darla enjoys spending time with her family.
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