Judson University to host three commencement ceremonies Sept. 19 during Homecoming
Judson University in Elgin will celebrate the Class of 2020 during Homecoming Weekend after postponing its original May graduation until Sept. 19 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The university will hold three ceremonies that day to ensure that every graduate has the opportunity to walk across the stage and celebrate their accomplishments.
Business leader Dr. K. Shelette Stewart give keynote address for the 8, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ceremonies.
Stewart has more than 20 years of leadership experience as a business practitioner and academician with leading organizations including Harvard Business School, The Coca-Cola Company and BellSouth Corporation/ AT&T in strategic business planning, business development and marketing. She is a Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Program Specialist and holds a Doctorate in Business Administration. A graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Stewart is the founder and principal of Stewart Consulting, LLC, a strategic planning firm. The firm launched in 2007 to provide global companies, nonprofits and higher education with plans and programs that will help them pivot and thrive during these unprecedented times.
Stewart is a highly sought-after international speaker who has served as the keynote speaker for many leading organizations including: Harvard Business School, Texas Instruments, The Coca-Cola Company, Women's Foodservice Forum, Women Economic Forum, and Yunnan University in China. She has also appeared as a guest on Trinity Broadcasting Network, Daystar Television Network - Marcus & Joni Lamb Show, and a host of other TV and podcast programs. She also is the author of "Revelations in Business: Connecting Your Business Plan with God's Purpose and Plan for Your Life."
The 8 a.m. ceremony will feature graduates from Judson's traditional undergraduate program from the departments of architecture, interior design, art & design, and business. Students earning a Master of Architecture will also graduate.
During the 10 a.m. ceremony, Judson will honor Elgin Area School District U-46 CEO and Superintendent Tony Sanders with an honorary degree. The degree was first presented to Sanders in April through a Facebook live event. During this ceremony, students will graduate from Judson's traditional undergraduate programs from the Departments of Christian ministries, communication studies, education, English, exercise & sport science, history, music, psychology, science-mathematics, worship arts as well as the RISE Program and Doctor of Education.
At the 1:30 p.m. ceremony, Judson will recognize graduates of the adult professional studies program who earned degrees of Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, and Masters - clinical mental health counseling, human services administration, organizational leadership, and business administration.
Each ceremony will take place in Herrick Chapel with select administrators and the graduates.
Graduates are welcome to bring two family members to campus, where they will watch the digital broadcast from designated spaces around campus to maintain appropriate number of individuals per each space. The university will also broadcast the ceremonies through Facebook live to allow family members to watch from home.