Manor College’s annual Commencement Ceremony took place on May 12, 2022 at 1 p.m. The Commencement Speaker was Dr. Robert Orsher, a veterinary surgeon with decades of experience in the Philadelphia area.

Amariah Bashir, a senior from Northeast Philadelphia, spoke on behalf of the Bachelor’s Degree students. Remy Bou, a sophomore from the East Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, spoke for the Associates’ Degree graduates. 

The institution conferred its first honorary doctorate degree in Manor College 75-year history to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

Remy Bou, Class of 2022, delivered the commencement address as the representative for those graduating with an Associate’s Degree from Manor College. She graduated from Manor College with her Associate’s Degree in Pre-Nursing. 

Bou is a member of the women’s volleyball team and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She came to Manor College from Bishop McDevitt High School and grew up in the East Mount Airy section of Philadelphia. 

Bou landed at Manor College after attending an event on campus, drawn to the relationship students have with professors in class settings. 

“When you go to a big college, it’s hard to get in contact with the professor,” Bou said. “But with the ratio of Manor College, the professors were always able to help me.” 

She discovered a passion for care giving at a young age. Her grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer when Bou was a child. She passed away when Bou was 14. 

“I wouldn’t want anyone to go through that experience,” Bou said. “Working toward a goal to learn more in the medical field and help people find peace and serenity brings happiness to me.” 

After graduation, Bou is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing and aspires to be a nurse practitioner. Her advice to Manor College graduates is to “study and put your all into your education.”

“Use the resources that are available to you,” Bou continued. “Reach out to your professors. Reach out to the tutoring center. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Keep your chin up and keep working hard. There are plenty of people to lend a helping hand.” 

Amariah Bashir, Class of 2022, delivered the commencement address as the representative for those graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from Manor College. He is graduating from Manor College with his Bachelor’s Degree in General Business Administration.

Bashir came to Manor College from Northeast High School in Philadelphia. He came to Manor College in 2018 because of the college’s small class sizes and proximity to home. 

“I didn’t want to get lost in some dorm at a big university,” he said. “I had some teachers who recommended Manor to me and, after I went for a visit, it was a great fit.”

Bashir is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Most recently, he was an intern with The Swarthmore Group. During the spring semester, he cycled through the company’s departments, including marketing, compliance operations and portfolio management.

“After this internship, I have a straight tunnel vision of what I want to do with my career,” Bashir said. 

After taking some time off to work this summer, Bashir plans to pursue his Masters of Business Administration. Bashir’s advice for future and current Blue Jays is to have faith and keep working. 

“God has everything planned out for you, no matter what,” Bashir said. “I had no money to pay for college, no job and everything was messed up. I didn’t lose hope. I just kept working, prayed, and did my best. And things lined up how I wanted them to be. It’s really easy to get discouraged by the current events in your life. Just focus on yourself and be the bigger picture you want to see.”

Read more online about Manor’s commencement speakers.