Collegian editor named commencement speaker

By Magdalini Ioannidis
Collegian Staff
April 9, 2008

Senior English major Mark Costello beat 13 other seniors in order to become this year’s speaker at commencement. Costello’s speech, which had to be about the students and community of La Salle, was chosen by various school administrators and faculty members from each school within La Salle, along with a Students Government Representative.

Mark Costello - Senior English major Mark Costello's commencement speech will
focus on the La Salle community and its students.

In order to become the recipient of such an honor, Costello had to submit a speech that was between five to eight minutes in length, and attend two information sessions.

Costello was chosen not only because of his speech, but because of the many organizations he is involved in at La Salle, which makes him qualified to speak about the entire community at La Salle.

Costello is a member of the Masque, and has been acting since his sophomore year. He is also a university Writing Fellow, a tutor for students in the writing center at school and the Commentary Magazine Editor for the Collegian.

With graduation looming in the near future, Costello plans to take a year off to work in either publishing or theater. After that, he plans on going to graduate school and focusing his studies on either playwriting or direction/production.

Ecstatic at the idea of being this year’s commencement speaker, Costello feels that giving this speech will provide him with the opportunity to express his gratitude toward La Salle and all the school has given him. The speech will also allow him to express what La Salle means to him in a public forum.

Costello said that he has seen a lot of things change at La Salle, but what he came here for has remained the same.

“I have seen a lot of buildings come up and go down, but the heart of La Salle has not changed,” he said.

More importantly, he feels that La Salle has given him a lot, and he hopes to take away a sense of community outreach.

He also expressed that, “to be active in the community is to be active and helping where you can and not just to reap the benefits.”

Anna Allen, the associate dean of students, said that the commencement speech, “speaks of the Lasallian Mission in that students are the center of the university.”

Allen has also said that, “On the day of commencement, students should be the center of celebration.”

Although not everyone can be chosen for their speeches, Allen indicated, their work is greatly appreciated. The students are thanked by having their work posted on the La Salle portal as, “Thoughts from the seniors.”

ioannidism1@lasalle.edu