UIS graduates more than 1,100 students

UIS celebrated the graduation of 1,132 bachelor's, master's and doctoral students on Saturday, May 16 during the 38th annual Commencement Ceremony.

See a printable list of graduates' names and degrees

UISGraduationList2009.pdf

Hundreds of UIS graduates celebrate achievements at Commencement

By Courtney Westlake



Emotions from pride to excitement were abundant on Saturday, May 16, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center as graduates, their families and members of the UIS community gathered to celebrate the 38th UIS Commencement Ceremony.

More than 600 UIS graduates gathered in their caps and gowns on Saturday afternoon to receive their hard-earned diplomas in the presence of their proud friends and families in a day that summed up years of hard work and dedication.

"Without question, this is the most gratifying moment of the year for all of us," said Chancellor Richard Ringeisen. "All that we strive for and all that we stand for is really about the preparation for this one day when we celebrate a milestone for our graduates."

Dr. Matthew Holden, Jr., was the 2009 Commencement Speaker for UIS. Holden has been designated as the first Wepner Distinguished Professor in Political Science at the University of Illinois at Springfield. He will become a part of the Department of Political Science in the College of Public Affairs and Administration this fall.

“I am becoming familiar with the UIS vision…three legs like a tripod: academic excellence, enriching individual lives and making a difference in the world,” Holden said.

Holden focused on five different themes in his speech, from friendship to the challenges that come with opportunities and more.

Holden said he would not be where he is today without the “sponsors,” or mentors, who have guided him through life, including his parents, professors and others along the way.

“You do not get anywhere all by yourself,” he said. “Your opportunity depends on somebody else’s sponsorship.”

Making a difference in the world, one of the focuses at UIS, always means meeting someone else’s need, Holden said. However, he added, “as you seek to make a difference in the world, you will find the opportunities are endless, but they are not cost-free.”

Friendships also count when seeking to make a difference in the world, Holden noted.

Paul Gesterling, the student speaker and graduate of a master’s degree in Public Administration,also tied in with Holden’s speech and encouraged his fellow graduates to impact the world in a positive way.

"There are enough graduating classes headed out to save the world, but we could be one of the few to have a deep and lasting impact in Mechanicsburg, Illinois or St. Patrick's School or Enos Park Neighborhood. It may not be glamorous, but it's real and it's human and it's important," Gesterling said. "I'm hoping that leaving here, the UIS graduating class of 2009, will work with a touch of genius and a lot of courage to make a difference on a human scale."

Gesterling urged his fellow graduates to be a part of whatever community they are headed to.

“In my field we call it civic engagement. Whatever your field calls it, get involved. Take an active role in your community with all of your best ideas, beliefs, skills, values, motives," he said. "Not to save the world, but to be human, to be fulfilled and live as a social being for the betterment of your community, your family and yourself.”

With his stories from his own life as examples of his lessons, Holden reminded the UIS graduates to remember, above else, that failure is not final.

“You are wonderful people, but you will stumble; things will go wrong. When you stumble, remember that failure is not final; you get up and struggle on to the next thing,” he said.

UIS celebrates commencement on May 16

Commencement ceremonies for the University of Illinois at Springfield will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, Ninth and Adams streets in downtown Springfield. Of the 1,132 students eligible to graduate, 635 will participate in the ceremony.

This year, tickets are not required for admission; ample seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no reserved seating except for special needs such as interpretive services and wheelchairs. The doors to the main floor of the center will open at 1 p.m.

The commencement speaker will be Dr. Matthew Holden, who was recently designated as the first Wepner Distinguished Professor in Political Science at UIS and is expected to formally join the UIS Department of Political Science in the College of Public Affairs and Administration this fall.

Holden is the Henry L. and Grace M. Doherty Professor Emeritus of Politics at the University of Virginia. His wide-ranging scholarly interests, many of which are directly related to the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, include public administration and policy, public law, urban politics, and race and politics. Holden received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Northwestern University.

Dr. Paul McDevitt, Associate Professor of Business Administration and Director of the MBA Program at UIS, has been chosen to serve as grand marshal. The student speaker will be Paul Gesterling, who will receive a master’s degree in Public Administration.

Faculty and students in each academic program select one graduating student who best exemplifies the goals and spirit of that program to serve as student marshal for the ceremony.
This year’s marshals are:

Accountancy: Suzanne Marguerite Meyer – B.A., Kathleen Marie Nash – M.A.

Biology: Amy Joelle Schutte – B.S., Michelle R. Randle – M.S.

Business Administration: Katherine Marie Shaffer – B.B.A, Brenna Elizabeth Coffman – M.B.A., Sara Louise Dill – M.B.A. (Peoria)

Chemistry: Jennette Danelle Hansen – B.S.

Clinical Laboratory Science: Faiza M. Luteify – B.S.

Communication: Joseph Cory Pelc – B.A., Kelsi Megan Kerns – M.A.

Computer Science: Joshua A. Bailey – B.S., Joshua Lewis Smith – M.S.

Criminal Justice: Howard Lee Purdue – B.A., Ashley Ryan Douglas – B.A. (Peoria)

Economics: Bryan Justin Barth – B.A.

Educational Leadership: Melody Lou Trout – M.A.

English: Mary C. Colligan – B.A., Charlene Kay Summers – M.A.

Environmental Studies: Abby Lynn Hahne– M.A.

History: Amanda L. Dahlquist – B.A., Marilyn Mueller – M.A.

Human Development Counseling: Sarah Elizabeth Chism – M.A.

Human Services: Elizabeth Marie Slater – M.A.

Individual Option: Lisa Maria Long – M.A.

Legal Studies: Amy Suzanne Elhoffer – B.A., K. Joy McCulloch – M.A.

Liberal Studies: Annamarie Israel – B.A.

Management: Billy Serbousek – B.A., Raymond A. Byrd – B.A. (Peoria)

Management Information Systems: Robert William Hamilton – M.S.

Mathematical Sciences: Charles J. Lee – B.A.

Philosophy: Marie S. Lyle – B.A.

Political Studies: Katherine Elizabeth Wood – B.A., Laura Roche – M.A.

Psychology: Keith A. Huddleston – B.A.

Public Administration: Katie Jo Miller – M.P.A., Tosha E. Cantrell-Bruce – D.P.A.

Public Affairs Reporting: Kari Lynn Andren – M.A.

Public Health: Kathleen Kay Thacker – M.P.H.

Social Work: Amy Noel Dennison Gorens – B.S.W.

Sociology/Anthropology: Craig James Pelka – B.A.

Teacher Leadership: Janet Kay Walch – M.A.

Visual Arts: Dannyl M. Madura – B.A

A number of events are planned for graduates, their families and guests, beginning with a reception for Peoria-area students on Friday, May 8. A Late Night Breakfast will be held Wednesday, May 13. A brunch for online degree graduates is scheduled for Saturday morning, May 16. UIS’ four colleges will hold individual receptions.

Admission to some commencement events is by invitation only. Updated information, including a complete list of events, is available from the commencement website at www.uis.edu/commencement/.

The ceremony will be webcast live at www.uis.edu/technology/uislive.html. DVDs ($25) can also be ordered from the Office of Electronic Media, phone 217/206-6799.

For more information, go to the UIS Commencement website at www.uis.edu/commencement/.