It's college commencement season in the Springfield area. Here are the details
College commencement season begins in the area Saturday, with Lincoln College holding its final ceremony before closing its doors after 157 years later this month.
Lincoln Christian University also will stage separate commencements for its undergraduate and graduate and seminary candidates Saturday.
The University of Illinois Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College, Blackburn College and Illinois College will hold exercises the weekend of May 13-15.
University of Illinois Springfield
The University of Illinois Springfield will hold two commencement ceremonies at the Bank of Springfield Center on May 14.
The ceremony for students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will begin at 12:30 p.m. The second ceremony for students in the College of Business and Management, College of Education and Human Services and College of Public Affairs and Administration will start at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are not required for admission and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Antone Evans Jr., who will be graduating with a master’s degree in computer science, has been chosen as the student commencement speaker for the 12:30 p.m. ceremony. Jocelyn Nelson, who is graduating with a master’s degree in human services, will be the student commencement speaker at the 5:30 p.m. ceremony.
Heather Dell, associate professor of sociology/anthropology, has been named the faculty grand marshal for both ceremonies. She joined the UIS faculty in 2000.
The ceremonies will be webcast live at www.uis.edu/technology/uislive/. DVD copies of the ceremonies can be purchased at 217-206-6799 or at go.uis.edu/CommencementDVD.
A complete list of events is available on the commencement website at uis.edu/commencement/.
Lincoln Land Community College
Nicole Pedigo of Springfield will be the student speaker at Lincoln Land Community College's commencement at the Bank of Springfield Center at 7:30 p.m. May 13.
Seating will be limited, and all guests must have a ticket and will have assigned seats. A livestream of the ceremony can be accessed at www.llcc.edu/2022grads.
Pedigo is graduating with an associate in arts degree with an emphasis in secondary education. Pedigo is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and plans to continue her education at the University of Illinois Springfield.
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Rebecca Watts will be recognized with the LLCC Honored Alumni Award.
Watts serves as a regional vice president of Western Governor’s University where she leads operations across a 12-state area.
Watts earned an associate degree from LLCC, a bachelor’s degree from Sangamon State University, a master’s degree from University of Illinois Springfield and Ph.D. from Ohio University.
Ava V. Austin of Virden and Megan Jamison of Taylorville are serving as student marshals.
Austin is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and has served as vice president of service and the Illinois Central District vice president. She will graduate with an associate in science degree with an emphasis in chemistry. Austin plans to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to continue her education.
Jamison served as Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Epsilon Kappa Chapter secretary, was the Student Radiographers Association treasurer and was named LLCC’s 2022 Outstanding Graduate. She is graduating with an associate in applied science degree with a concentration in radiography and will begin her career as a radiographer in the surgical department at HSHS St. John’s Hospital.
Lincoln College
Lincoln College will host its 155th and last commencement at Lincoln Center on the Lincoln College campus at 12:30 p.m.
The ceremony includes graduates from the Lincoln campus, as well as from Lincoln College’s Accelerated Bridge to Education program, which includes students from the Normal, Lincoln, Peoria and Oglesby campuses.
“This ceremony will be the last at Lincoln College prior to permanent closure, but we are determined to celebrate our graduates in a traditional manner," said Lincoln College President David Gerlach.
The keynote speaker for commencement is the Rev. Glenn Shelton, retired pastor and teacher at Second Baptist Church in Lincoln.
Also giving a commencement address is Michael Phelon, founder and director of The Outlet, a 501c3 nonprofit organization mentoring young men in Springfield.
Providing the student address is Jacilyn “Jackie” Gunderson, an ABE student.
The ceremony is a ticketed event. It will be livestreamed through www.lincolncollege.edu/lctv-stream.
Lincoln Christian University
Both commencements at Lincoln Christian University are in the Earl C Hargrove Chapel Auditorium.
The undergraduate ceremony is at 10 a.m. with the graduate/seminary ceremony at 1 p.m.
No tickets are required.
Illinois College
Illinois College's 188th commencement is at King Field House in the Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center on the Jacksonville campus May 15.
It begins at 1 p.m. and tickets are required.
The college holds its baccalaureate service that morning at Rammelkamp Chapel at 10 a.m.
The full commencement schedule is at www.ic.edu/commencement.
Blackburn College
In Carlinville, Blackburn College's 153rd commencement will be held outside Hudson Hall at 10:30 a.m. on May 14.
A baccalaureate will be held at Bothwell Auditorium at 7 p.m. May 13.
The commencement speaker is Thomas “Tom” Gayner, co-chief executive officer of Markel Corporation, a diverse financial holding company including insurance, reinsurance and investment operations around the world. Markel is listed on the Fortune 500 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with 61 offices in 16 countries.
St. John's College of Nursing
St. John's College of Nursing will hold its commencement at Christ the King Catholic Church at 3:30 p.m. on May 13.
The speaker is Damond W. Boatwright, president and CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System.
This story will be updated.
Jean Ann Miller contributed to this story. Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: When are commencements for Springfield, IL, colleges, universities?
