On May 1st, 2015 the StepUP program celebrated 34 of their own graduating from the program. StepUP Graduation is one, if not the, most important event of the collegiate recovery community, and you could feel the excitement and joy as StepUP students and their families poured into the Sateren Auditorium. Over 200 family members, friends, faculty and staff attended, hearing stories from the StepUP counselors of how their child, sibling, student or friend has excelled not only at Augsburg College but in the StepUP community. Along with the twenty-two graduates, StepUP also honored twelve StepUP students who are continuing school, but moving off campus.
Ann Garvey, the Vice President of Student Affairs and Patrice Salmeri, Director of the StepUP program, welcomed the crowd and set the tone for the event sharing the passion and admiration they both have for the StepUP community and its individual students who leave a powerful impact at Augsburg College. The auditorium was filled with laughter over a sentimental slideshow of the graduates’ journey through their college years and wonderful music was played by Seven Half Trio, including one of StepUP’s own graduates, Tommy J.
There were five StepUP graduates chosen to share their experience and strength gained from their time at Augsburg and StepUP. The first StepUP student speaker was Leonie M. (pictured on the right), 
who not only had the audience laughing but also passed on her wisdom and encouragement to current StepUP students. Joseph J. was another StepUP speaker to give sage advice on the power that reaching out to other StepUP students and the counselors has on one’s serenity. Kyle L-H. emphasized the wonderful friends he has met through StepUP and the invaluable support of his family through his journey towards recovery. Jessica L. recognized how StepUP gave her back the dream of going to college while being in recovery. Ben M. spoke about how StepUP prepared him for the future.
The traditional sand ceremony followed the moving speeches, (pictured below). For seven years StepUP graduating students receive a combination of sand colors distinct for their graduating class. They gather in a circle on stage and simultaneously pour their individual vials of sand into a large glass vase already containing previous years of sand from StepUP and Augsburg graduates. As the sand pours into the vase and mixes together into greater layers, the growing community of StepUP alumni is symbolized. Sand is chosen for this ceremony because of the representation that just as grains of sand can never be separated from each other, StepUP alumni and students can never be separated or removed from the StepUP community. Their StepUP identity and experience cannot be separated from their being.
Patrice Salmeri gave closing remarks as the Seven Half Trio closed out the ceremony with beautiful music.
“Though your destination is not clear you can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning that is one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure, hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk.
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, for your soul senses the world that awaits you”.
The audience was welcomed outside Sateren with an incredible amount of cake and beverages. Many priceless photos were taken of StepUP graduates in dresses and suits with big smiles and their families surrounding them. The event was a definite success and StepUP wishes the best for the 34 students moving on from StepUP. No doubt we will miss the bright, motivated graduates and they have left some big shoes to fill for StepUP students to come. Luckily, they have left many examples and opportunities for the future students of StepUP to grow, excel, shine, and step up like StepUP’s 2015 graduating class has done.