Phil Scherer | Reporter
Nov. 14, 2016; 5 p.m.

Lindenwood’s December graduation class is expected to be the largest in history, exceeding last year’s total of 883 students, according to university President Michael Shonrock.

The number of December graduates has remained steady in each of the past three years, with exactly 881 students graduating in December in both the 2014 and 2013 school years.

“Ultimately, it’s all about student success,” Shonrock said. “The best dashboard in our lives is seeing [students] walk across the stage. It’s a sign that we are bringing in really good students.”

Vice President for Student Development Ryan Guffey said that as students graduate, it is exciting for the individuals, as well as the university as a whole.

[perfectpullquote align=”left” cite=”Michael Shonrock” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=”32″]“It’s a time for them to celebrate their success with their family and friends.” [/perfectpullquote]

“It makes us feel really good to not only see the student graduate, but to also know that they are going to be able to have an impact on the local and surrounding communities,” Guffey said.

Currently, 752 students are signed up to participate in the graduation ceremony, which will take place at 10 a.m. Dec. 10 at the Family Arena in St. Charles. However, Barry Finnegan, the dean of Academic Services, said that this number includes people who may have graduated earlier in the semester as part of accelerated degree programs.

He also said that not all students who graduate take part in the ceremony.

For those that do participate in the ceremony, Shonrock said it is important to remember graduation is about more than just the individual.

“It’s a time for them to celebrate their success with their family and friends,” he said.