Graduation 2024
JPCatholic’s 16th Annual Commencement
Updated: 9/3/24
John Paul the Great Catholic University held its 16th annual commencement on Saturday, August 31st at The Grand Ritz Theater in Escondido. The commencement exercises celebrated 83 undergraduate students from the Class of 2024, plus 7 more who graduated last December. Congratulations to all of our new alumni!
Mass Celebrants
Fr. Scott Herrera, Fr. Dominic Smith, O.S.A.
Master of Ceremonies
Eleazar Palma, Dean of Students
Speakers
- Welcome: Dr. Derry Connolly, President
- Senior Address: Mary Dalessandro
- Announcement of Graduates: Eleazar Palma, Dean of Students
- Charge to the Graduates: Prof. Max Hulburt, Chair of Visual Arts
- Benediction: Fr. Andrew Younan, PhD, Professor of Philosophy
2024 Institutional Awards:
The Founder's Award for Impacting Culture, and Valedictorian
Bridget Baker
Cinematic Artist Award
Jaden Doyle
Fine Arts Award
Patrick Schloss
Visual Arts Award
Katherine Cashman
Performing Arts Award
Paul Bonner
Humanities Award
Margaret Alvine
Business Acumen Award
Luca Hoang
Graduating Class of 2024
Freshman Photo 2021
Senior Showcase Events
During Graduation Week, JPCatholic hosted several events to celebrate student accomplishments. On Wednesday night, JPCatholic’s Feature Film Program premiered No Reception to a sold out audience at the Ritz Theater in Escondido. The family comedy is the second movie from the school’s Feature Film Program; it was directed by Prof. Chris Riley and produced by a team of over 40 students and alumni.
On Thursday morning, a Visual Arts Showcase on campus exhibited a variety of digital and traditional artwork from the graduating class, along with a demo of Aspyrian Reach, a fantasy map-making game created by the senior Game Development students that will be published on Steam.
On both Thursday and Friday, JPCatholic Theatre Productions presented Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Ritz Theater, co-directed by Profs. Courtney Moorehead Balaker and Katelyn Slater. Over 30 students were involved in the production, including many graduating seniors.
On Thursday afternoon, two student businesses pitched to a panel of entrepreneurs as part of an inaugural Business Pitch Competition. Luca Hoang was awarded $750 in funding to help him take the next steps in growing his business Archangel Drones. Christian Doche and Donovan Bakin were awarded $550 to help fund game prototypes for their company Vinny’s Game Cabinet.
On Friday afternoon at the Ritz, the Acting Practicum Showcase screened capstone short films, scenes, an original monologue, and a comedy podcast.
On Friday evening at the Ritz, JPCatholic presented the Senior Project Screening, a premiere of capstone projects from Film and Animation seniors. The event was emceed by Prof. Nathan Scoggins, and audiences enjoyed a showcase of six narrative live-action shorts, three documentary shorts, and two animation projects.
See Photo Gallery