May 17: CLC hosts its 45th Commencement
The College of Lake County will hold its 45th annual commencement ceremonies on May 17 in the Physical Education Center on the Grayslake campus, 19351 W. Washington Street. Dr. K. Michael Welch, president and CEO of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, will deliver the keynote address. Commencement will consist of two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. for transfer degrees (A.A., A.S., A.E.S., A.F.A, A.A.T.) and the other at 2 p.m. for A.A.S. degrees and certificates.
The CLC class of 2014 consists of 2,769 graduates, compared to 1,812 in 2013. The college attributes the jump in degrees being awarded this year to the new "auto award" system, which allows qualifying students to receive their degrees or certificates without having to petition for graduation.
"Charting the wisdom of others while steering the course of further education," is the title of Dr. Welch's commencement address. He is a neurologist and world-renowned researcher whose career has focused on the study of brain function in cerebrovascular disease, stroke and migraine.
In his 12 years as president of Rosalind Franklin University, Dr. Welch has led a successful rebranding effort, making the university the first medical institution in the nation to recognize a female scientist through an honorary namesake. He also led a full institutional assessment resulting in the adoption of an interprofessional model of graduate medical education.
Previously, he served as vice chancellor of research and president of the Research Institute University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Welch earned his medical degree at the University of Bristol School of Medicine in the United Kingdom and came to the U.S. in the early 1970s.
The ceremony will also include remarks by CLC President Dr. Jerry Weber; Amanda D. Howland, board chairman; Andy Navarrete, president of the Student Government Association; and John Tenuto, sociology instructor and winner of the 2014 Outstanding Full Time Faculty Member. CLC alumna Valerie Perron will sing the national anthem, and Dr. Charles Clency, professor of music and director of choral music, will provide organ music.
Admission to each commencement ceremony is free and open to the community. No tickets are required; seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Student Government Association will sponsor a complimentary reception for graduates, faculty and guests immediately after each commencement ceremony, with refreshments provided in the tent on Parking Lot 1. For more information, visit www.clcillinois.edu/graduation.
For the first time, commencement ceremonies will be streamed live over the Internet at http://www.njcaatv.com/lancers/index.html. Graduates and their families may share their CLC graduation photos on the college's social media sites: Twitter (CLCNewsRoom #CLCgrad14) or Instagram (Collegeoflakecounty #CLCgrad14).
Class of 2014 statistics
CLC's Class of 2014 comprises 2,769 graduates, of which 31 percent will earn an A.A. degree and 15 percent will complete an A.A.S. degree. Another 4 percent will earn an A.S, 1 percent will finish with an A.E.S. degree and 48 percent will complete a certificate.
Sixty percent of the graduating class is female, and 40 percent is male. Fifty-two percent are ages 18-24, while 25 percent are ages 25-34 and 12 percent fall in the 35-44 age group. The youngest participating graduate is 17-year-old Rosalie Schweier of Lindenhurst, receiving an A.A. degree. The oldest participating graduate is Andrew Liu, 64, of Vernon Hills, who is earning a certificate in mechatronics.
Waukegan residents comprise the largest percentage of graduates (11 percent), followed by Gurnee (7 percent) and Grayslake and Mundelein (both 6 percent).
GED graduation ceremony on May 18
CLC's GED graduation ceremony, which honors Lake County residents who have completed their high school equivalency exams in the past year, will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 18 in the P.E. Center. The keynote speaker will be Wendi Kelly, a personal development and business coach with Creative Clarity Coaching. She is a CLC GED graduate and earned an associate degree from the college in 1992.
Nearly 200 graduates are expected to attend, and several scholarships will be awarded to select graduates transitioning to CLC as adult learners. Scholarship winners will also read essays about what earning the GED means to them. The ceremony is organized by the Adult Basic Education, GED and ESL division, with assistance from the Lake County Office of Regional Education.