Grads Celebrate EPPIIC Journey

As marauders conclude their EPPIIC adventure at Millersville University, staff and faculty have organized a celebration to honor graduating students who have faced and overcome challenges during their time at the University.

The EPPIIC Journey Celebration will take place in the Student Memorial Center Multipurpose Room on April 29. Check-in for the students involved will begin at 4 p.m., and the program will start at 5 p.m. During this ceremony, students will be recognized for their educational journey and will receive an EPPIIC cord or stole to wear during the Spring 2026 commencement.

"We are especially proud to build upon the strong foundations of our identity-based graduation celebrations," says Dr. Mary Beth Williams, vice president of student affairs. "This celebration will unify those separate annual events and extend the recognition to additional student identities."

Students are welcome to invite those who have supported them along their academic journey to attend the ceremony. The EPPIIC Journey Celebration aims to recognize the diverse experiences of graduates who embody the spirit of Millersville University's commitment to inclusion, highlighting the unique paths students have navigated throughout their academic journeys.

"The main objective of this event is to celebrate our graduating students who have overcome incredible obstacles while completing a degree at Millersville," says Williams. "Our graduates are veterans, parents and cancer survivors; they have a disability, have traveled from their home country to study in the US, are the first in their family to graduate and are from traditionally marginalized populations. Each of these identities have made their journeys unique, and to get to this point in their education, they have shown great resilience. Their journeys have been both epic and EPPIIC, and they should be and must be celebrated as they conclude their work at Millersville."

Graduating students have been asked to share their EPPIIC stories and are available to read on Millersville's website. From these testimonies, a select number of students will speak at the celebration, sharing their personal journey at Millersville.

"The EPPIIC Journey Celebration is more than just a ceremony - it is a powerful affirmation of our university's core values, our belief in the strength of our diverse community and our thankfulness for all that our students bring into our community while they work toward a degree," says Williams. "We look to celebrate our students who have overcome significant physical and mental challenges while on their path at Millersville, as those journeys are a testament to human potential and the determination of our students. We are proud of this tradition that was established last year as it truly reflects the inclusive spirit of Millersville University."

Learn more about the EPPIIC Journey Celebration here: https://www.millersville.edu/sa/eppiic-journey/.