Written by Student Assistant Christian Bond

TACOMA, Wash. – On Monday, Pacific Lutheran University held a special graduation ceremony for six Lute student-athletes who were competing over the weekend at the NCAA Division III Championships.

PLU held the bonus ceremony because student-athletes were unable to attend Saturday's ceremony in the Tacoma Dome. Track & Field's Machaela Graddy and Carson Ketter were joined by women's rowing's Jessica Christensen, Camille Lemke, Sarah Stafford, and Hannah Walling. Graddy, who was away from the university winning a National Championship in the javelin, showed tremendous gratitude when talking about the event.

"It really goes to show how much PLU values every single student's education," Graddy said. "Although we missed it they wanted to make sure we got to experience and celebrate what we have accomplished academically. There were multiple staff who showed up on their day off to make sure that we got to have that experience and it means more than they could ever know."

The special graduation ceremony was held in the Karen Hille Phillips Center for Performing Arts. It's one of the University's most prominent buildings on campus, located at the center of red square.

"It's just really special that PLU holds this ceremony," Ketter said. "Graduation is a big deal and it's awesome to see PLU accommodate us student athletes that were unable to attend. It provided us with that special moment to share with our family & friends that we missed out on. It was a huge moment for me and my family, but also showed the type of support that the university has for us student-athletes."

The ceremony itself wasn't nearly as long as the ceremony on Saturday, however the memories created from it will last a lifetime.

"The ceremony was short and sweet but still so meaningful for all of us student-athletes and our friends and family who were able to attend," Lemke said. "It meant a lot to us that Interim President Belton and the other faculty members who were there came out to be part of the ceremony for only six students. It was a great ending to both my athletic and academic career at PLU."

The six Lutes represented PLU well while missing Saturday's main graduation ceremony. Graddy won a national title in the javelin and helped the women's track & field team to a 14th place finish at the NCAA Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin while Ketter competed in both the 100-meters and 200-meters at the national meet. Meanwhile in Sarasota, Florida, Christensen, Lemke, Stafford, and Walling helped the women's rowing squad to a seventh place showing at the NCAA Championships.

PLU Athletics would like to thank the class of 2018 for their contributions to the athletic department and wish them the best in their future endeavors.