Commencement Sixty-First Annual Virtual Commencement · Share your memories using #PSCgrad20...

Share your memories using #PSCgrad19

Sixty-First Annual

Virtual CommencementAugust 1, 2020

2 p.m.

Commencement

Prairie State College Board of TrusteesChristopher J. Baikauskas

Joelle MulhearnJay S. Readey

John N. StanfaDr. Ronald J. White

Marc A. WileyCamiella D. Williams

Thalia Valdivia Student Trustee 2019-2020Christian M. Ponce Student Trustee 2020-2021

Officers of the CollegeDr. Thomas D. Saban Interim President/Vice President of Finance and Administration

Dr. Marie C. Hansel Vice President, Academic Affairs and Dean of FacultyDr. Michael D. Anthony Vice President, Student Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness Elighie Wilson III Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty

Tiffany D. Brewer Dean, Equity and InclusionCarolyn H. Ciesla Dean, Learning Resources and Assessment, Library

Annette R. Dolph Interim Dean, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Academic StandardsDr. Megan E. Hughes Interim Dean, Allied Health and Emergency Services

Dr. Janice Kaushal Dean, Career and Technical EducationKim Marissa Kunce Dean, Adult Education

Kelly R. Lapetino Dean, Corporate and Continuing EducationJaime M. Miller Dean, Enrollment ManagementFelix C. Simpkins Dean, Student Development

Dr. Kisha M. Wells Interim Dean, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Illinois Community College BoardDr. Lazaro Lopez • Chair

Dr. Brian Durham • Executive Director

Illinois Board of Higher EducationJohn Atkinson • Chair

Ginger Ostro • Executive Director


Program of EventsDr. Thomas D. Saban, Presiding

Associate Professor Danielle M. Coleman, Grand MarshalAdjunct Professor Daniel McNamara, Honorary Grand Marshal

Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Christian M. Ponce

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dr. Thomas D. Saban

Greetings from the Board of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Ronald J. White

Recognition of Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Danielle M. ColemanICCTA Faculty of the Year Nominee

Class of 2020 Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction of Commencement Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. SabanDr. Marie C. Hansel

Presentation of Honorary Degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. SabanPresented to Dr. Hansel

Presentation of Phi Theta Kappa Honors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Dr. Michael D. AnthonyPresented to:

Ms. Victoria P. DeanMs. Liliveth O. Nwanguma

Presentation of President’s Leadership Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. SabanPresented to:

Ms. Destiny J. CunninghamMs. Diana P. Flores

Mr. Fabian LopezMs. Thalia Valdivia

Presentation of Honor Graduate Candidates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Anthony

Presentation of Degree and Certificate Candidates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Hansel

Conferring of Degrees and Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Saban

Invitation to Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Deborah S. HavighorstDirector of Institutional

Advancement and the Prairie State College Foundation

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ms. Thalia Valdivia Student Trustee 2019-2020

Student Trustee 2020-2021


About Today’s Speaker

Dr. Marie Hanselis an alumna of Prairie State College, and will be retiring from the College in early August as vice president of academic affairs and dean of faculty. As vice president of academic affairs, Dr. Hansel serves as the chief academic officer of the College, and is responsible for providing executive leadership in the curriculum, instructional, and educational services, as well as promoting the professional development and growth of the faculty. She provides leadership and administrative direction over academic areas in the division of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Academic Standards; Allied Health and Emergency Services; Learning Resources and Assessment; Adult Education and Literacy; and Career and Technical Education.

Before returning to Prairie State College, Dr. Hansel was a nurse at St. James Hospital and Health Centers and covered a wide variety of areas including surgery and oncology. She served as a nurse navigator, where she was responsible for educating medical staff to care for adults with cancer. After a nearly 25-year career in nursing, Dr. Hansel returned to Prairie State College in 2005, and served as a tenured nursing faculty member and chair/coordinator of health professions for five years, then as dean of Allied Health and Industrial Technology, until stepping into her current role as vice president, which she has served in for seven years.

Dr. Hansel belongs to several professional organizations and volunteers at the Cancer Support Center, the American Cancer Society, and Y Me.

After retirement, she hopes to stay involved with the college through volunteer work with the Prairie State College Foundation. Dr. Hansel resides in Beecher with her husband.


Destiny J. CunninghamPresident’s Leadership Award Recipient Destiny J. Cunningham is a member of the Nu Sigma chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and served as the Student Government Association representative; captain of the Speech Team; the founder/president of NewGen Leaders; and a member of the Political Science Club. Ms. Cunningham worked in the First Year Experience office where she answered students’ questions about the College. She assisted in the creation of the opening welcome for the New Student Orientation and helped with ice-breaker exercises. Ms. Cunningham led students on tours of the College providing information on various departments and relaying little-known stories to spark student interest. Ms. Cunningham is a Jack Kent Cooke semifinalist, and is graduating summa cum laude with an Associate in Arts degree. She was accepted into Stanford University, and will be attending as a junior in the fall.

Student Recognition

President’s Leadership Award This award is presented to graduating students who, during their years at Prairie State College, have combined excellent academic achievement with outstanding co-curricular contributions to the college. The president seeks to recognize those students who have made significant contributions toward improving and developing the intellectual, social, cultural, and/or athletic fabric of the Prairie State College community.

Diana P. FloresPresident’s Leadership Award Recipient

Diana P. Flores served as vice president for the All Latin Alliance Club, the Nursing Club’s vice president, and Nursing Club’s representative to the Student Government Association. She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta honor societies. Through the All Latin Alliance Club, Ms. Flores was instrumental in bringing awareness and support to DACA/undocumented students at Prairie State College and in the community. She maintained two jobs on campus, where she assisted students in the College’s Foundation office and the campus bookstore. Ms. Flores volunteered at leadership conferences where she shared her college experience with future college freshmen. She assisted with the Family Halloween Fun Fest held on campus, and the Foundation’s annual scholarship gala. Ms. Flores has been an inspirational guest speaker for the Latino Advisory Committee. She is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science degree.

Fabian LopezPresident’s Leadership Award Recipient

Fabian Lopez served as President of the Student Government Association. In that capacity, he represented the Student Government Association at Board of Trustees and College Council meetings. Mr. Lopez was a member of the All Latin Alliance, the Sustainability Club, and the Political Science Club. He is a member of Alpha Beta Gamma Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He worked with the mayor of Chicago Heights to encourage Latinos to vote, and served on a number of College committees, including the Food Pantry, Commencement, Student Emails, and Recruitment and Marketing committee. Mr. Lopez represented students on the Police Citizens/Special Advisory Board, and is a recipient of the United States Hispanic Leadership Scholarship. He is graduating summa cum laude with an Associate in Arts degree and plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign.



Victoria P. DeanPhi Theta Kappa Honors Victoria Dean is a member of the Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and was named to the 2020 All-Illinois Academic Team and Dean’s List. In addition to attending chapter meetings, she volunteered for numerous organizations. These include working with Women on a Mission, an organization that aids in helping relocate women and the homeless as well as providing them with daily essentials; creating and spearheading a coat drive, which allowed people to donate new and used coats/jackets, and distributed them to the homeless. Ms. Dean also serves as an annual volunteer for the Richton Park Pantry, a community service program to help those in need of food in the community; and tutors middle school students to improve their English skills at the Richton Park Library. She is graduating summa cum laude with an Associate in Arts degree, and plans to attend Vanderbilt University, to study speech pathology.

Thalia ValdiviaPresident’s Leadership Award Recipient Thalia Valdivia served as the student trustee on the Board of Trustees where she was the voice of the student body at the College monthly Board meetings. In addition, she is a member of the Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Psi Beta Gamma Psychology Honor Society. She served as a member of All Latin Alliance, Political Science Club, and was on the Prairie State College women’s soccer team. Ms. Valdivia has volunteered for the Prairie State College Foundation and participated in clothing and food drives for the community. She worked with the mayor of Chicago Heights to get the word out about the importance of voting. She has also assisted DACA students in making them aware of their rights, working on scholarships for them, and scholarships for other students by conducting fundraisers. Ms. Valdivia is graduating magna cum laude with an Associate in Arts degree and plans to attend the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Liliveth O. NwangumaPhi Theta Kappa Honors Liliveth Nwanguma is a member of the Nu Sigma Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and was named to the 2020 All-Illinois Academic Team, and Dean’s List. In addition to serving as the Phi Theta Kappa Communications and Social Media Officer, Ms. Nwanguma served as a tutor at Prairie State College; volunteered at the Prairie State College Foundation golf outing; served on the food pantry committee; and assisted with a book drive event at a women’s prison. She also volunteers at Advocate South Suburban Hospital providing a caring and supportive presence to terminally ill patients and their families. Ms. Nwanguma is involved with her community and church. She shares what she is learning as a student, and works with a youth group to teach them about conservation and improving their community. Ms. Nwanguma is graduating magna cum laude with an Associate in Arts degree, and plans to attend John Hopkins University, to study chemistry.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society All-Illinois Academic Team RecognitionThe All-Illinois Academic Team recognizes high achieving two-year college students from the state of Illinois who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor, combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Students must have maintained a 3.50 or higher grade point average to be considered for this honor.



Daniel McNamaraAdjunct Professor, EnglishNominated for the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member AwardThe Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member Award recognizes the high achievement of Illinois’ part-time community college instructors.Daniel McNamara joined the Prairie State College faculty in 2006 as an adjunct English instructor. He previously taught at Wilbur Wright Community College, East-West University, and Louisiana University. Throughout his tenure at Prairie State College, he has taught developmental English, Composition I and II, British Literature, and Journalism. Mr. McNamara understands the unique challenges many Prairie State College students face because of their various backgrounds, and strives to help them successfully navigate their college experience through mentoring and advising. He has been effective in adapting the coursework so students with little to no college experience can succeed. His teaching approach has enabled students to better understand themselves as students and as citizens within the broader community. He received the Phi Theta Teaching award in 2000 and 2001. Mr. McNamara holds a Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University; and a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University.

Danielle M. ColemanAssociate Professor, NursingNominated for the 2020 Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award The Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award recognizes the high achievement of Illinois’ full-time community college instructors.Danielle Coleman joined the Prairie State College faculty in 2012 as an adjunct clinical nursing instructor and became a full-time tenure track nursing instructor in 2015. Prior to coming to Prairie State College, she was a nursing instructor at South Suburban College and Olivet Nazarene University. Ms. Coleman was a registered nurse/charge nurse at Ingalls Memorial Hospital; a clinical nurse with Advocate Home Health Services; and a clinical nurse at Advocate Christ Medical Center. She has served as a peer interviewer; nursing student preceptor; RN preceptor; and an in service presenter. At Prairie State College, Ms. Coleman has served on a number of committees, including Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society as Co-Chair. She is a member of the American Nurses Association; Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society; and American Psychiatric Nurses Association. She graduated from Prairie State College with an associate degree in nursing, and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and Master of Science degree in Nursing from Governors State University. Ms Coleman is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Nursing Education program at Capella University.

Illinois Community College Trustees Association Award Nominations


Retiring Faculty and AdministratorsJoseph E. BerlinskiProfessor, Business21 years of service

Dr. Marie Hansel

Vice President, Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty15 years of service

Dr. Debra Prendergast

Dean, Mathematics, Science and Curriculum10 years of service

Introduction of CandidatesCarolyn H. CieslaDr. Janice KaushalElighie Wilson III


2019-2020 Dr. Leslie TischauserSocial Science Academic Achievement AwardThis award is named for Professor Emeritus Dr. Leslie Tischauser. Dr. Tischauser taught history full time at Prairie State College for many years before his retirement in 2014, and continues to offer history courses on a part-time basis. This year’s recipient is Ruben Lopez.

Professional Honor SocietiesPrairie State College has six professional honor societies. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for community college students. The society focuses on leadership, fellowship, scholarship, and service. Members of Phi Theta Kappa wear a gold stole featuring the honor society’s key and an honors cord in blue and gold with the academic regalia. Alpha Beta Gamma is the national honor society for students in business-related disciplines. Graduates belonging to this honor society wear a sapphire blue stole with gold letters. Sigma Phi Alpha is the national honor society for students in dental hygiene. Graduates belonging to this honor society wear a white stole with purple piping. The National Technical Honor Society honors the achievements of top career and technical education students. Graduates belonging to this honor society wear a silver stole. Psi Beta Society is the national honor society for students in psychology, and graduates wear a gold stole with royal blue embroidery. Members of the N-OADN Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society wear an apricot honor cord. The white honor cord is worn by graduates who have successfully completed nine or more credit hours of honors level courses at Prairie State College.

Honors Recognition for Associate Degree CandidatesPrairie State College recognizes three categories of honor graduates: cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude. Students graduating with honors wear colored ribbons that hold a medallion bearing the official college seal. The honor of cum laude or “with honors” is awarded to graduates who achieve a grade point average of 3.30 to 3.64 on a four-point scale. Cum laude graduates are recognized with a white ribbon. The honor of magna cum laude or “with high honors” is awarded to graduates with a grade point average of 3.65 to 3.84 on a four-point scale. These graduates are distinguished by a silver ribbon. The designation of summa cum laude or “with highest honors” is awarded to graduates who achieve a grade point average of 3.85 to a perfect 4.0. A gold ribbon signifies summa cum laude graduates.

Honors Recognition for Military and Veteran GraduatesAny veteran or currently serving student with a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher wear a red, white, and blue cord to show Prairie State College’s gratitude and respect for the men and women who have made an unwavering commitment to both their nation and their academic studies. All graduating military and veteran students also wear a blue stole with white and red embroidery in recognition of their service.

December 2019 Graduates

*cum laude **magna cum laude ***summa cum laude

Associate in Arts

Brady Anthony Anderson*Jeannessa Danielle AndersonDaniela ArellanoTaylor Ashmore**Cascian Barraia LoonamAnna K. BarreraKarla G. BoyoLevelle BrownKenyetta M. BrownInala J. Bruce-Rose**Ruben Camacho*Noah Cialkowski-MichalowskiDaVida A. Clay-Jackson*Aileen CoriaAndres Cornejo*Quavies Lee Crump**Jackson DekkerConstance DuBoisAlvaro Estrada, Jr.Cierra Simone’ FletcherDaniel E. FonchamShana Shay GarbuttMoniece GilyardDorothy (Dottie) Hall**Nicole E. HamptonIssazle Michelle HardyBlaise Noel HarwellD’Andre HollieTaylor-Simone JacksonTyshawn JacksonJermaine D. JohnsonTeryn LaVonna JonesLea KlucinskiSandra Lagunas***Deidrea LawrenceEmmanuel Leal*Alliana LopezJasmine MaceDiamond ManceMelvin MathewCandice MayTaylor McGrath***Kristin A. Milligan*Candace Denise Milton*Cassidy MoffettOctavia R. Murphy

Aleksandr NowakLiliveth O. Nwanguma**Amya S. OrrCessanye OsbyDaniel OyendeJulia Porco*Adan Renteria Lusinski*LaTeasa Nicole Reynolds*Sa’Layah Candi RobinsonTodd RockettRasheed RushMakaela RuskeKeith SandersChrista ScottSamuel Shelton, IIIMelissa Sidler***Patrick R. SiemsenJustin M. SmithBrittany L. Soucie*Emily Ann Stein***Eric Stover, Jr.Jacqueline Sutherland**Tracie Thompson**Jofre Tura Campalans***Alexia Cornelia VillanuevaErnest WalkerJourdan Veronica WatkinsBrandon Weatherspoon*Laroddica White

Associate in Fine Arts

Karen R. Harbin

Associate in General Studies

Balogun Taiwo ShukuratJudy Ann DavisIndia FurdgeAlma Rosa Gonzalez**Anfernee Armond JohnsonMarcus J. LeeLiliana Mejia LuczakAriel Marie McNulty*Emmanuel E. Nnamdi*Liliveth Nwanguma**Shanda RoseTrinidad Vega

Associate in Science

Cassandra J. D’Amico***Anwi Solange Forewah**Martin Edward GaffneyDaishia MurrayMareno M. Myers***Lindsey Marie PacochaChristopher Witt

Associate in Applied Science

Lakia R. BolerLarry A. Brown*Tre’ Vion BrownWilliam Calvin Brown**Rachael BurgessChristine DataBlaec DownsChristopher FarabaughTrevor A. GuthrieCarissa HudsonJared T. KingeryLaura KrauseTimothy Pasco*Matthew Luis SaldanaJacob Daniel SchleyerMatthew Jon Smith***Reneé Sharice Warner

May 2020 Graduation Candidates

Associate in Arts

Adefisayo E. AdeusiIda Marie AlessandriniJocelyn A. AllenAdriana AndersonElizabeth Christiana Anderson*Paula Ruby Arroyo*Daniel Joshua Avila*Abigail Serita BarberUlises Sebastian Barradas*Ricco B. BertolettiAmirah Viet BilalBianca Jasmine Boyas**Leslie Carmona*Patricia CarterJacqueline ChanJoseph ChurchillDavid A. Coleman*Alejandro Dalarmi***Antwanette DanielPhilomera Jie De Guzman***Cristina De Luna Perez*Alexander DiazMaeve Eileen Dillon**Amber Sagun Domantay*LaToya L. Evans*Francisco FloresJessica FloresDiamond Nicole Gale*Dayahn Galvan*Tony Garcia***Destiny Tamara GarnerMarcus Amir GaryDominic Garza*Riley M. GaynorJayden GloverThomas R. HaynesOmar HernandezBryonna N. Jackson*Eric Brian Jacobs, IIMarie V. JaneckoGloria C. Jennings*Cassaries Johnson***Kayla Mariah JohnsonStephanie Ann KapanowskiGrace Gloria KapichiAngel Larry-JohnsonHannah Leonard

Camry LewisAlejandro LopezFabian Lopez***Jordan M. Lott*Francisco J. Mendoza*Victoria Michelle MistersElyssa Kristina Mojica*Dagoberto Montero-ServinFueritta Jenice MontgomeryMalik MoonEsperanza NaborCaress Tamele Okeke***Joseph OkorieOluwatosin Oladipo***Austin Olson*Andres Fernando OsorioKayla Marie PaganiMary A. Piattoni*Shana L. Pinto*Chasity PowellHeaven E. Powell*Joseph Martin ProvineJonathan Frank Qunell***John RhodesChristopher M. RichmondJames A. Rizzo, IIJohn RuizPrecious J. RuleJessica M. SchumannMarek SlojewskiCasey Patrick SmithJanice Smith**Lila Marie SmithAndrew James SonsMichael StebelMichael A. Stepp, IIElisa M. TalisSkilar TobinRubi TorresHannah N. TriceZachary J. VehrsOscar Walker-HunterBrittany A. WebbTifiney Carol Weber***Shaniya L. WileyAtalya WilliamsFabius M. WilliamsAricka WrightKyle A. Zollinger

Associate in Fine Arts

William Anderson MichaelShannon Elise Ryan***


Olaide Irene Ajayi*Justin Anderson***Eymi Vanessa BarrientosDouglas William BurrageAlcina Dorshay ChambersScott ChuprevichYajaira ClarkArthur FordMichael JacobucciNidia Leal-Garcia*Duane Stephen MasonMelissa MessereJohn RuizShateria SaylesKristin Shaw


Alan Emmett Duncan* James Lee Foster Jr.Samantha Marie Higgins***Sierra J. IvyDaniella Dana LucariAlexander NavarroOmolola OgunladeOlufemi D. OrekoyaJose L. PerezJulia Duvall PorcoGustavo Saucedo***Dena Williams


Associate in Applied Science

Adetayo Adetope AdelekanOlaide Irene Ajayi*Jva AllenDesiree Alvarado* Tiera GriffinHannah G. Anderson*Eman Jamal Atra***Rosa L. AwanyaJanette AyalaMarie BlasgenDolores Robinson-Bonner*Kharina Boone*Tiffani BoydKelly L. Brick* Leah BrooksLaWanda Michelle BrownNoemi CachuMichael CantyRegina CarréSaunserae Estrella Carridine*Karita La’Shun CarrollShonda Tenae ClancyDestanee Tiair’ra ColePeyton Dempsey*Jonathan DominguezBlaec DownsLarissa Christa EvansDiana P. FloresWilliam M. FlowersBerenice Esmeralda FraustoMario Angel GarciaLaShonda Annette GardnerDonald A. GaytonJordan Tyler GentryChristian C. GreerTiera Griffin*David GuerreroLauren Marie HahnShenoda HannaCharlotte HardySamantha T. HarrisKelli HendersonBrittany HernandezTraquila S. HudsonIgbinosa M. Iyi-EwekaDonovan Jones

Teairra Patrice JonesDanielle Nicole Jost*Madison Evelyn KestelNhi Yen Thi Le*** Ieasha T. LomaxCarl Anthony MastnyVictoria Marie McClainMalorie Linn McNaughtonJeri Lanette MendenhallIsamar Marina Milan-JacksonLeah Glenette MorganHassaan MuhammadTanisha M. NewtonMartin C. NissenMistura OgbaraTameisha PassmoreAlyssa PechJodi L. PedersoliSadie A. PerezAnne PriceLauren Marie RadoicicYvette ReyesDeSeandra RobinsonCandice RodriguezGul RothermelErik SalazarShateria Mekel SaylesMorgan Scarano* Jessica Anne SchmidtSha’quiel K. SmithKimberly Ann SnyderMarion SpencerSadie TakaokaKathleen TaylorLakisha ThomasMatthew ThompsonNakesha Nichole TibbsAshley TomasevichTara Nadine TroliRenee TrulyKristina Wanner*Torri WeatherspoonCaroline Joy Weber*Keisha Jana’e WilliamsMary L. WilsonJessica Lyn Wood***Hannah Zivkovich*


August 2020 Graduation CandidatesAssociate in Arts

Curissa BassLuz Belén BetancourtLydia Marie Boone*Beatriz CabreraNicole Kossaris CavazosRacquel K. ChambersErvin L. Clay, Jr.Tiffany M. CopperidgeElda CruzDestiny Cunningham***Leneka Omartra DavisVictoria Dean***Alliyah L. DrakeAdrian DudaAkeiyah Duncan***Serah C. EdoziemAna M. Castillo EickmannTomitra Fluker*Keion G. GoreeJazmine A. GrisbyJason HamptonDanaizha Zakkiyah HarveyAndrea Sade’ HolderJennifer Chidiogo Iloegbunam***JaQuita Jamara JonesLaurie Marie KeatingRuben M. Lopez, III***Allison N. MagruderRicardo Martinez AriasStephanie MattiaMelissa MessereMalik Kyre MottleyLauren Kathleen O’KaneSalonia M. AndersonSidnie Katherine Kandi PruittShierra Kaya ReedKierra KD Reeves***Aliah RobinsonSara Natalia Romero de RamírezNanet Salgado-Estrada*D’Asia Rosie Janee SealsHeba Rasheed ShaabanKatrina S SlaydenCandace SmithJalyn Antoinette Smith


Veda SmithAshley N. TateLeVar LyDell TrotterThalia Valdivia*Jacob VanderWoude*Leonardo Gerardo VillalbaBriana WashingtonBrenton T. Williams, IIAraceli Zarate**


Yourrial Z. ArringtonLoretta A. EnglandEmanuel Gomez*Jerry W. Hines, Jr.Malik Kyre MottleyNicole A. PriceLeif Ericksson Ramirez de la TorreTracy L. WilliamsDanellia Wilson


Leia Marie Fuentes*Emanuel GomezEduardo A. Lopez Navarro

Associate in Applied ScienceAdam Romero Alderson*Jason R. BoylesKimberly Ruth BrownKimberly CarolloDan’Ryen Doyle-FultonGuadalupe Elizalde ArauzRaven S. HensonVincient W. Johnson, Jr.Thomas W. MarconiAdilene Rivera*

Certificates

Robert C. HuffnagleJanice Denice Smith


Notes on Academic DressWearing academic regalia dates back to the Middle Ages, when a warm gown and hood were necessary duringEuropean winters when scholars lived, studied, and taught in unheated buildings. Now used only on formal academic occasions, caps and gowns indicate the degree earned, the discipline in which the degree is earned, and the institution granting that degree. The four basic academic degrees are the associate degree, the baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree, and the doctorate.

Most of the gowns and caps worn by our faculty are black, the color agreed upon by American colleges and universities at the end of the 19th century. The associate and bachelor’s gowns are sparsely cut, neat, and unadorned. The design of the sleeves denotes the type of degree held. The bachelor’s sleeve is long and pointed. The master’s sleeve has squared ends, with the arc of a circle near the bottom and a slit for the arm near the elbow. The doctor’s sleeve is bell-shaped with three velvet bars; this robe also has velvet panels in front, in black or of a color symbolizing the wearer’s field of learning.

Academic hoods are black, with a velvet colored border indicating the discipline in which the degree is awarded. The silk lining of the hood is in the colors of the institution. The length of the hood and width of the velvet border increase with the status of the degree conferred. The velvet edgings on faculty hoods are in colors established by the Intercollegiate Code to represent different departments of learning:

Arts, Letter, and Humanities - White Library Science - Lemon Physical Education - Sage GreenBusiness Administration - Olive Drab Music - Pink Science - Gold/YellowEconomics - Copper Nursing - Apricot Social Science - CitronEducation - Light Blue Speech - Silver Gray Theology - ScarletFine Arts - Brown Philosophy - Dark Blue

Academic costumes include the square cap, called a mortarboard and tassel. The doctor’s tassels may be either black or gold. Tassels of all other degrees may be black or the color of the college or department from which the student graduated or is graduating. The tassel is moved to the left side of the cap after the certificate or degree has been conferred. Institutions may add distinctive variations, such as using a color other than black for the gown or replacing the black mortarboard with a soft velvet beret.

The Mace and College SealThe academic procession is led by the grand marshal bearing the official mace of the college. The mace is a club-shaped staff used as a symbol of authority. It dates back to the Middle Ages when it was chiefly used as a weapon, but by the 14th century it had become ceremonial in use. The Prairie State College mace was redesigned in honor of the college’s 35th anniversary. Approximately three feet long, it displays the official college seal at the top of the staff. The primary components of the college seal–found on the front cover of this program–are the college name, credo, and a traditional representation of an open book that symbolizes teaching and learning.

Our credo, Scientia Pro Vita, means “Knowledge for Life.” A sunrise symbolizes enlightenment, hope, and progress. The laurel leaves communicate wisdom, experience, esteem, honor, and victory. Wheat, one of the chief agricultural products of Illinois, is a source of nourishment and symbol of life, growth, hope, and self-perpetuation. The fluid banner denotes the college’s constant state of change and progress in responding to the needs and conditions of the community. The prairie is represented by the grasses, and the concentric rings convey the idea that education is continuous and unending.


Our MissionPrairie State College fosters collaborative relationships that empower students to achieve their education and career goals. The college embraces its diversity, nurtures life-long learning, and supports community and economic development.

Our Core ValuesLearningExcellenceAccessibilityRespectIntegrity

Our Vision StatementPrairie State College will offer rigorous academic programs, meet the needs of the local workforce, cultivate the values of sustainability, and demonstrate an awareness of its responsibilities in a global society.

About Prairie State CollegeFounded in 1957 as Bloom Township Junior College, Prairie State College held its first classes the next year in a local church. Originally established to offer only transfer liberal arts courses and occupational-technical courses, the college was reorganized in 1967 as a Class I junior college and renamed Prairie State College. In 1968, the college was housed in 10 interim buildings on its campus at Halsted Street and Vollmer Road. Construction of permanent facilities began in fall 1972 and was completed for the 1975-76 academic year.

A new Library, the Christopher Art Gallery and the Business & Community Education Center opened in 1996; the Matteson Area Center, in 1998; and the Health/Tech Center, in 2000. The Fitness Complex, including the Pioneer Fieldhouse in which today’s commencement is held, opened in 2001. Three years later the Adult Training and Outreach Center and the Children’s Learning Center were dedicated.

Alumni

Congratulations on your graduation! You are now a Prairie State College alumnus. Please go to our website at prairiestate.edu/foundation and follow the “Alumni and Friends” link to fill out the Alumni Form and “like” us on Facebook. We want to hear from you as you start the next phase of your life, and keep you informed about events happening at the college.

This program is not an official college document. Due to rigid time requirements, it must be printed before the final lists of degree and certificate candidates could be determined. The exclusion of the name of a student is not to be taken as an indication of official status as a non-graduate, nor is the inclusion of the name of a student to be taken as certification of official status as a graduate.

202 South Halsted Street | Chicago Heights, IL 60411(708) 709-3500 | prairiestate.edu

Start near. Go far.

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