Saturday marked a special end not only for the 1,276 graduating Tommies, but also for one of the most well known campus figures: the Rev. Dennis Dease.

Dease gave the undergraduate commencement address to the seniors and their guests at his final graduation ceremony as university president Saturday. With Dease and Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn at her side, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Susan Huber honored St. Thomas’ 14th president with a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree from the university.

“Father Dennis Dease, for the last 22 years you have guided the University of St. Thomas as its 14th president with a clear vision, an unmistakable passion and a steadfast conviction unlike any witnessed in this institution’s 128 years,” Huber read.

For Vice President of Student Affairs Jane Canney, this was the reason the university decided to honor Dease with the degree.

“Because Father is dedicated to higher education, especially at St. Thomas,” Canney said. “He’s given so many contributions to the students who are graduating now and the students for the last 22 years. It’s the least we could do to honor him and recognize him for his outstanding work.”

Dease said he never thought he, too, would receive a degree and “graduate” with the students who were born in the same year that he started his presidency.

“The class of 2013 is made up of individuals, the vast majority of whom were born in the year 1991,” Dease said. “1991 was also the year I started as president, and so I never dreamed that I would become a member of the class that was born the year I became president. So, I’m a member of the class of 2013 and life is full of surprises.”

Another surprise for Dease was learning of his honor only two days ago.

“Surprised? I was about two days ago when I was going over my program that they gave me of the ceremony for this afternoon … and I thought, Uh oh, they’re giving me an honorary degree. I was really quite surprised when I saw that. They kept it from me.”

Dease said standing on the podium overlooking the crowd of graduates and shaking their hands as they received their diplomas “was a very joyful time.”

“I just felt very grateful and I always do rejoice because I see students who I’ve known since they were first-year students,and now I’ve seen them going out with a university education,” Dease said. “It’s always very moving for me. Today was even more so because this was my 22nd year and my last one.”

“Many of the students gave me a pat on the back when I went by and I had to kind of kick back the tears,” Dease said.

Flynn also is reaching a new chapter as he nears the end of his term as the St. Thomas Board of Trustees chairman, a position he has held since 1995. He said the degree captured the epitome of Dease’s 22 years with the institution.

“I was delighted and whoever wrote the citation captured it beautifully because it summed up all of (Dease’s) accomplishments. It reflected on his personality. He has been a great, great president and has brought this university to a degree of excellence, which I respect,” Flynn said.

Moving forward doesn’t mean Dease won’t be present at future graduation ceremonies. He said he has gotten to know many students of all ages over the years, and he’d like to be there when they walk as well as to revisit the St. Thomas community, which he said he is so grateful to have been a part of.

“My heart is full of gratitude. That’s the only word to describe how I feel as I wrap up. I feel more gratitude today than I ever have in my life.”

Briggs LeSavage can be reached at lesa4364@stthomas.edu.