ECC to hold spring commencement ceremonies May 17
Elgin Community College will recognize the spring graduates with two commencement ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, May 17. Two student speakers, one from South Africa and another with cerebral palsy, will share their unique journeys.
The ceremonies will be held in the Building J Events Center on ECC’s Spartan Drive Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
Two separate ceremonies will honor graduates from ECC’s academic divisions:
• The Career and Technical Education Ceremony at 10 a.m. will feature student speaker Jack McGraw.
• The University Transfer Ceremony at 2 p.m. will feature student speaker Grace Sakabunda.
Jack McGraw, of the western suburbs of Chicago, is graduating from ECC’s Human Services program and pursuing certification to become a substance abuse counselor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in theology and Catholic Studies from Benedictine University.
Living with cerebral palsy and using eye gaze technology and an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device, McGraw is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities and those who use AAC to communicate. He serves as an AAC Ambassador and plans to continue his education with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or clinical mental health counseling. His goal is to support and empower individuals — especially young people — who are navigating challenges related to disability and mental health.
“ECC has had a profound impact on me, from the moment I started going here in 2017 to today. This educational institution introduced me to college with so many engaging opportunities to get involved on campus and classes that challenged me for such a great price! Because I love ECC so much, I came back after I earned my bachelor’s degree to advance my education and help me get a job by taking classes in the human services program to get my certification in alcohol and drug counseling. The human services program is beyond incredible as my professors and classmates have felt like my second family.”
Grace Sakabunda, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, came to the U.S. to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. She is earning her Associate in Science degree and plans to transfer to a four-year university to continue her pre-medical studies. Sakabunda was drawn to ECC because of its International Student Homestay program, which helped her transition into a new country and culture. At ECC, she found a strong support network through her host family, her role as a student worker in the library, and her involvement with the Black Student Achievers (BSA), where she is a core member. Sakabunda has embraced the challenges of studying abroad and credits her academic success to hard work and resilience — qualities she plans to carry forward into her future in medicine.
“When I first came to Elgin Community College, I was struggling academically. I questioned whether I belonged in college at all. ECC changed that for me. With the support of caring professors, helpful resources, and a community that believed in me before I believed in myself, I began to grow. I learned how to study, how to stay focused, and most importantly, how to believe in my potential. Over time, I went from barely passing to earning a spot on the President’s List. ECC didn’t just help me succeed — it helped me discover that I was capable all along.”
Both ceremonies will be livestreamed on ECC’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person. For more information, visit elgin.edu/commencement.