News

Oretha Sekyere, a psychology major from Brooklyn, has been selected to be the student speaker at the 2022 undergraduate ceremony on Sunday, May 22.

During her four years on the Heights, Sekyere was active in numerous activities. A resident advisor in Harrison Hall her junior year and St. Mary’s Hall as a senior, she also worked as an office assistant in the Disability Support Services (DSS) Office and as a personal learning plan coordinator for the ERIE 21 Program. She was in CSTEP, completed all four years of the Manresa Program, interned at Jowonio School and received John P. Bucki, S.J. A.M.D.G Award for the 2021-22 academic year.

Other activities include: Mentors in Violence Prevention (now called Dolphins Against Violence); Strong Women Slay; African Student Union (ASU), and; BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) president for 2021 to 2022 and served as a diversity ambassador during her junior year

Asked why she was interested in becoming the student commencement speaker, Sekyere said “As I reflect on my last four years, I can't help but ponder on who I was coming in and who I am going out of Le Moyne. I was a shy girl freshman year, unaware of the voice I had and the impact I could make. Now I am at a place where I know the power of using my voice and I want to show my fellow classmates that their voices matter and were made to leave a mark on this world. I also want my class to know that we are all vessels of change; we all carry the ability to make change wherever we find ourselves. 

Following graduation, she wants to become a licensed clinical social worker. “I would specifically love to work with children and their families to ensure that the children are growing up in healthy environments, and that parents have all the resources necessary to help raise a child.”