Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Sunday 2 August 2020
MISSION STATEMENT Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is to empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
STATEMENT OF CORE VALUES Aurora University draws upon the rich legacies of Aurora College and George Williams College to welcome learners to our campuses in Illinois and Wisconsin. Here all become members of an inclusive educational community dedicated to the development of mind, body, and spirit. Today, as in the past, we prize the twin virtues of character and scholarship and affirm our commitment to the values of integrity, citizenship, continuous learning, and excellence. We will adhere to the highest standards of integrity in every aspect of institutional practice and operation. Through this proven dedication to honesty, respect, fairness, and ethical conduct, we will lead by example and inspire our students to do the same. We will exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in an educational community, founded upon the principles of mutual respect and open discourse. We will live within our means and manage our resources wisely while creating an environment that fosters teamwork and promotes service to others. We will work and live as an organization devoted to continuous learning. We recognize that the university exists in a diverse and changing world and know that we will succeed in helping students achieve their full potential only if we realize our own. We seek a growth process that is never-ending. We will pursue excellence by embracing quality as a way of community life. Accordingly, we will set high expectations for ourselves, our students, and our university and will work together to attain them. The university’s core values are the foundation upon which our aspirations rest. They undergird our belief in the transformative power of learning. As members of the Aurora University community, we enter into a voluntary compact with one another to live, learn, and work in ways consistent with these ideals.
Aurora University Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Sunday 2 August 2020
Prelude Pomp and Circumstance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sir Edward Elgar The Alma Mater: Aurora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ross K. Tilton, Class of 1917 Aurora University Chorale; Joyce Lawson, piano Conducted by Lisa Fredenburgh, DMA, The Roger Parolini Endowed Professor of Music Words are printed on the last page of the program.
Welcome Rebecca L. Sherrick, PhD, President
Invocation Mark Woolfington ’93, DMin, University Chaplain
Greetings Hilary Brennan ’83, Chair, Board of Trustees
Reflections Rebecca L. Sherrick, PhD, President
Conferral of Degrees Frank Buscher, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs Rebecca L. Sherrick, PhD, President The Degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Social Work
President’s Charge to the Graduates
Benediction Mark Woolfington ’93, DMin, University Chaplain
Postlude How Can I Keep From Singing?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robert Wadsworth Lowry arr. Bradley Ellingboe Aurora University Chorale; Joyce Lawson, piano Conducted by Lisa Fredenburgh, DMA, The Roger Parolini Endowed Professor of Music
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Stacy Bellack Cum Laude
Cameron Cole Magna Cum Laude
Katherine Bennett
Sean Michael Conklin
Mariah Mae Boehl
Samantha Cooper
Ana Acuna Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Ashley Bohne
Krista Coronado Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
Javier Aguilar
Peter Boyum Magna Cum Laude
Reyna Acosta Cum Laude
Jennifer Alvarez
Jacqueline Nicole Boyce Magna Cum Laude
Marisol Corral Summa Cum Laude Alexis Couch Cum Laude
Dylan Andersen Cum Laude
Alexandria Elaine Bozik
Christopher Anderson
Tiffany Brown Cum Laude
Mykayla Cowger Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Jensen Bryant
Esmeralda Cruz
Jared Burrow
Taylor Cunz
Dominic Busen
Nicholas Danna-Hoehne
Zacharry Butcher Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
Alyssa Daum Cum Laude
Karina Angulo Cum Laude Lindsey Arnold Summa Cum Laude Michelle Atchue Cum Laude Alec Aurelio Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Nickolas Brosman
Allison Cadena Leslie Campos
Jesus Avila
Alexander Cantalupo
Joel Avitia Summa Cum Laude
Anna Cantrell Summa Cum Laude
Analy Ayala Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa
Jasmin Cardenas Cum Laude
Alexandra Bacza Brooke Ann Baeyens Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma Neraida Barajas Sandy Barrientos Bryce Batts Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Noah Beckman
Shayna Davison Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma Araceli De Robles Cum Laude Alyson Deering Emily Defelice-Curran
Barbara J. Carlson
Wesley DeGarmo
Noemi Carrillo
Alondra Del Toro
Gema Cervantes
Joshua Delezenne
Nancy Cervantes
Kate M. Delp Cum Laude
Nicholas K. Chambers II Alyssa Charon Magna Cum Laude Alegra Chavez Cum Laude Imani Clark Huri Cocilion
Bianca Diaz Monica Diaz Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Daniella Digiulio Rachel Doherty Summa Cum Laude
Kelly Dolar Cum Laude Amairin Dominguez Cum Laude
Mikayla Fiala Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Myranda Gould Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
James R. Logan Foster
Rachael Granger Gold Ivy Leaf Cum Laude
Amber Dortch
Araina Franklin
Andrew Doyon
Annmarie Franz Cum Laude
Christian Duarte Erin Dubbins Molly Duda Summa Cum Laude Jeremy Dumelle Matthew James Dunsing Emily Dyba Summa Cum Laude Napoleon G. Ebot Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Ethan J. Edwards Madison Edwards
Amanda Adele Freedman Summa Cum Laude Ashley Frese Magna Cum Laude Ryan Frias Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Phi Eta Sigma
Jonathan Garcia Cum Laude
Ashley Guilinger Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Raul Garcia Cum Laude Abby George Summa Cum Laude Shannon Gilkey Summa Cum Laude
Adam Erickson Summa Cum Laude
Melissa Glock
Brooke Erickson Summa Cum Laude
Amber Jazmin Gonzalez Summa Cum Laude
Celina Jasmine Espinoza Cum Laude
Arturo Gonzalez
Andrew Fattore Will Ferguson Bill Fetz Cum Laude
Ryan Griffin Cum Laude
Beth Grotelueschen
Katie Lynn Geers
Brandon Enrique Estrada
Colin William Griffin Phi Eta Sigma
Genesis M. Garcia
Michael Christopher Elliott
Andrea Erazo
Mallorie Greiner Summa Cum Laude
Thomas A. Gaffino
Joshua Garcia
Charles Engel
Jonathan Gregoire Cum Laude
Jordan Grondin Summa Cum Laude
Aliaa Eldabli Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
Jaclyn Elmore
Giana Greco
Jake Gluszek
Katie Goodyear Franklin Gordey Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Alex Gordon
Mark Guilinger Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Gabriel Guillen Cum Laude Calyn Guinn Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Matthew P. Gulli Summa Cum Laude Kylee Haiman Summa Cum Laude Erika Paige Hankins Cum Laude Briana Hartmann James Harvey Cum Laude Ethan Hastert
Diana Hayes Summa Cum Laude
Taylor Krause Magna Cum Laude
Andrew Headley Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Elizabeth Krueger
Freddie McCoy Cum Laude
Mark Leonard Krzeminski
Sean McGee
Monique Lacey
Molly McGuire
Alyssa Marie Hernandez
Wendy Laines-Ibarra Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Yarelli Hernandez
Brandon Landaverde
Katherine Marie Hetlet Cum Laude
Katherine Landazuri
Allyson McPhee Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Phi Eta Sigma
John Gunnar Highland
Dylan LaPan
Ryan McQuade Cum Laude
Richard Horan
Jessica Lynn Larson Summa Cum Laude
Sandra Medrano Magna Cum Laude
Jarek Hotwagner Cum Laude
Christopher Lasota Summa Cum Laude
Jenna Mendez Cum Laude
William R. Hrubes Cum Laude
Luke Lathrop
Victoria Mendez
Eric Lay Magna Cum Laude
Skyler Messinger Summa Cum Laude
Dora Lee Lazarit
Loriel Miller
Megan Leifheit Emmy Lemezis Magna Cum Laude
Philip F. Miller Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
Austin Lewis
Aria Ashanti Mines
James Lewis
Nathan Minglin
Donna Maria Lilly
Peter Mirkes
Katherine Rose Lomperski Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Andrea Moga Magna Cum Laude
Cassidy Long
Emily Moore Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Alexa Henderson Kevin Herlo
Jacob Hudson Cum Laude Alexandro Ibarra Madison Iser Cum Laude Elizabeth Jacobo Taylor James Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Kristopher Jones Taylor Katelin-Ann Jones Madison Keen Cum Laude Natalie Keers Magna Cum Laude Selena Veneta Kendall Molly Kilbride Cum Laude Christian Kimbrough Cum Laude Joshua Kowalski
Shawn Loomis Summa Cum Laude Sarah Love Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Johan Lozano Summa Cum Laude Michael Ryne Marrero Cum Laude
Stephanie Mast
Kira Mollohan
Jasmine Moore Cum Laude Colin Morgan Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Olivia Morgan
Matthew Napolitano Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Julia Petterson Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Rachel Grace Navarro Summa Cum Laude
Peyton Phillips
Aaron Neal
Rebecca Piatz Cum Laude
Sarah Nelson Cum Laude
Bridget Poidinger Cum Laude
Nick Nepereny
Zachary Pradel
Ryan Robert Newton
Corey Prentiss
Ruben Nino
Caylee Prosek
Amber Marie Nork Summa Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa
Kobee Pryor
John O’Brien Cum Laude
Malak Rabi
Esteban Ochoa Cody O’Connell Cum Laude Brendan O’Daniell Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Connor Olson Adam O’Malley Matt Orbell Jorge E. Ortega Summa Cum Laude Jennifer Otto Summa Cum Laude Karla Padilla Annalise Palatine Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Edgar Antonio Palomino Travaren Peoples Jorge M. Perez Connor Peterson Cum Laude Justin Peterson
Airianna Desiree Quintanilla Allison Reichert Cum Laude Stephanie Renner Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Alexandria Jean Rinehart Cum Laude
Shelby Ruman Cum Laude Kiara Runyon Andrew J. Rupert Steven Kenneth Rusch Cum Laude Kaitlyn Sabon Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Stephanie Sabon Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Timothy Sanders Nick Sanderson Cum Laude Vanesa Santacruz Cum Laude Skyler Sass Cum Laude Daelon Savage Sandra Lee Schroeder Summa Cum Laude Evan Schuetz
Monica Rios
Brian Scott Jr.
Ryan Roberts
Joseph Lawrence Secor
Hannah Rodriguez Cum Laude
Tyler Alexander Sedlacek Cum Laude
Marisella Rodriguez
Morgan Shackelton Cum Laude
Nicholas Rodriguez Phi Eta Sigma Samantha Rodriguez Summa Cum Laude Dylan Rogers Cum Laude Holly Kathleen Rood Magna Cum Laude Freeman Jackson Rosencrans Alondra Jailene Ruiz
Breyana K. Shafford Raquel Rockie Jean Sharp Leannah Sheahan Cum Laude Alexandria Nichole Shields Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Phi Eta Sigma Rachel Elaine Shults
Alondra Silva Cum Laude
Arilene Valdez Cum Laude
Tyson Simmons
Andrea Vallejo Spartan Award Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa
Jennifer Skonie Cum Laude Wesley Thomas Smith Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Rylee Chester Snopek Sheila Merari Solis Eduardo Soto Phi Eta Sigma Maddelynn Spencer John Stultz Paige Sullivan Summa Cum Laude Ashley Sveda Magna Cum Laude
Matthew Vandenborn Lanita Vanderschaaf Cum Laude Alyssa Rose Van Kempen Magna Cum Laude Timothy Vant Carlos Vargas Summa Cum Laude Peter Vasquez IV Cum Laude Cynthia Vazquez Kimberly Velazquez
Matthew Tatelbame Cum Laude
Miguel Velazquez Jr.
Danielle Navarro Teschner
Lesley Viveros Cum Laude
Megyn Theis Summa Cum Laude
Austin Martin Waarich
Kelly Catherine Theriault Cum Laude Bailey Thevenot Summa Cum Laude Sergio Tijerina Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Braden Toll Kai Tomaszewski Catherine Toscano Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma Carter Turnquist Eloisa Clara Underhill Kendall Urban
Maricarmen Vergel
Lea Wantuch Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma Carl Way Dominique Weathersby Cum Laude Kevin Weis Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Iman Whitfield Cum Laude Devon Whittaker Stephanie Williams Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Nick Wilson Anna Marie Wright Magna Cum Laude Brian Yodelis Jacob Young Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Jesse Young Aimee Zarco Kristin Zimbelmann Cum Laude Sydney Zukowski Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Alexis Abelove Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Phi Eta Sigma Jennifer Aguilar Cum Laude Christopher Aguilera Jocelyne Alcantara Lindsey Arnold Summa Cum Laude Diana Jacobo Arroyo Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Kayla Atkins Jorge Baeza Jr. Elliot Benjamin Barbel Cum Laude Makenzie Barlow Tanner Barnes Ryan Basden
Stacy Bellack Cum Laude Jatrence Benson Constance Louise Birchall Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Myrna Garcia Blanco Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude TJ Bordoshuk Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Megan Borgra Sarah Boss Joseph Brandolino Vitonio Brandonisio Cum Laude Jace Burton Summa Cum Laude Mario Busch Edgar Caballero Yanely Cardenas Cum Laude
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Cody Cardillo Cum Laude
Kevin Dean Magna Cum Laude
Elsy Cardona
Victoria Del Rio
Arisbet Carmona
Jordan Devera Cum Laude
David Carpenter Cum Laude Francisco Carretero Jr. Jennifer Carrillo Cum Laude Elizabeth Estrada Cervantes Magna Cum Laude Ghanashyam Chamlagai Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Alegra Chavez Cum Laude
Monica Diaz Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Robert Diaz Cum Laude Theresa Douangsithi Brittney Drew Magna Cum Laude Erin Dubbins
Noah DuBose Gold Ivy Leaf Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma Austin Dudiak Matthew Dunn Alexis Eggen Kelly Elizabeth Ellsoos Summa Cum Laude Matthew Emrick Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Nathan Engler Cum Laude Khadeil Ergas Cum Laude Lincoln Laureate Omicron Delta Kappa Phi Eta Sigma Jeremy Farley Emily Ferraro Cum Laude Jonnathan Flores Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Lauren Froehlich Cum Laude Angela Giliana Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Shannon Gilkey Summa Cum Laude Michael Lawrence Goedderz Katelyn Gonterman Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Joselyn Gonzalez Cum Laude Fletcher Gooden
Jonathan Gramme
William King
Fernando Miranda
Ryan Griffin Cum Laude
Mitchell Klatt
Kellen Moczynski
Christopher Larrea Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Jameson Morrison Cum Laude
Akeem Haye
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Nathan Munsterman
Andrew Headley Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Oscar Lopez Johan Lozano Summa Cum Laude
Daniel Heiden Cum Laude
Lillian Ludwig Magna Cum Laude
Allison Hess Cum Laude
Joseph Lundberg
John Hoffman Jr.
John Majestic
Emily Guerrero Katelyn Taylor Hamel
Noah Hogue Cum Laude Richard Horan Miranda Huber Wendy Huerta Avery Ideran Magna Cum Laude Cameron Inman Rebekah Jakusz Magna Cum Laude Taylor James Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
Kyle Hunter MacFarlane Lauren Martel Magna Cum Laude Vincent Martin Cum Laude Chelsea Martinez Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Bradley Mueller Prez Nalaskowski Zachary Nebelsick Brandon Nicholson Cum Laude Leslie Nicholson Katherine Norris Cristen Nottingham Cum Laude Chris Nowacki Jocelyn Ocon Wiktoria Paczkowska Summa Cum Laude Lidoines Pelaez Magna Cum Laude
Natalia Martinez Cum Laude
Jose Perez
Nolan McCarney Summa Cum Laude
Jessica Puquirre
Matthew McCarthy Kara McCleary
Valencia Powell Consuelo Ramirez-Arroyo Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Corey McCreedy Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Jocelyn Ramon
Erin Jefferson
Madalyn McDermot Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Megan Jennings Summa Cum Laude
Rafael Menchaca
Garrett Rentz Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Victoria Mendez
Oscar Reyes
Naki Jones
Ivan Mendoza
Ryan Lawrence Ricken
Mario Juarez
Marissa Michi Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Julian Rivera
Tania Jara Isabel Jarnow Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Brady Kauppila Paige Kestel Cum Laude
Samantha Mikuski
Allison Reichert Cum Laude
Sofia Rivera Ryan Roberts
Alyssa Rodriguez Cum Laude
Jamie Stolp
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Ashley Svehla
Guillermo Rodriguez Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Kristen Rodriguez Lesly Rodriguez Nicholas Rohl Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Freeman Jackson Rosencrans David Ruiz Cum Laude Benedict Saberon Stephanie Sabon Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Isamar Salazar Nicholas Salisbury Summa Cum Laude Brin Salness Isaiah Sands Samuel Saunders Jordan Savage Connor Schwarz Cum Laude Ebony Scott Summa Cum Laude Matthew Semyck Cum Laude Morgan Shackelton Cum Laude
Da Sun Jacklyn Thompson Magna Cum Laude Alex Tran Ny Tran Cum Laude Erin Tudisco Christopher Turner Myles Turner Ryan Ulin Magna Cum Laude Khulan Usukhbaatar Summa Cum Laude
Hannah Amposta Lindsay Andros Chasya Avendano Alexis Bartlett Shane Bermundo Vianca Borja Emily Burns Phi Eta Sigma Kairo Eddy Cabrales Kaitlyn Cameron Deisy Cano
Cecilia Valencia
Courtney Josephine Carls
Michael Vallejo
Jenna Jane Cebulski
Colin Vanwankum Cum Laude
Megan Centella
Corey Vaughn Anahi Barron Vazquez Kimberly Velazquez Andrew Waterstraat Hayley Weldon Annika Wilson Farrell Winchester Austin Wiskow Brennen Witt Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Dylan Wozniak Juan Zamudio
Thomas Slezak
Zachary Zinzer Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Chris J. Stockton Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude
Vanessa Aguayo
Dylan Vaca
Eric Simental Eduardo Soto
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
Karli Ann Chambers Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma Melissa Kay Clemente Lizbeth Cortez Cum Laude Christian Crisostomo Adriana D’Acquisto Lilibeth Del Rio Omicron Delta Kappa Chelsey Ellen Jessica Fisher Cum Laude Mary L. Franzen David Galvan Kevin Garcia Chelsey Grobe Anne-Claire Haeuser Lindsay Harris
Nyssa Karchefski
Emily Ann Oldenburg
Maria Kazminski Cum Laude
Frances Olivas
Dona Trejo
Sydney Knierim
Bailee Osborn
Fernanda Valencia
Karah Krivacek
Morgan Parker Cum Laude
Jonathon Vollrath
Sara Labadi
Julietta Perez
Sabrina Link
Gia Pinkowski
Melissa Wat Cum Laude
Cynthia Lopez
Jennifer Popovich
Jessica Losic
Dylan Powers
Kaitlyn Manning Omicron Delta Kappa
Sherry Prichodko
Samantha Manning
Mary Reddy
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Kenia Resendiz
Mekayla Anderson
Meaghan Revis
Daniella Argueta
Robert Ritchey II Cum Laude
Joslyn E. Barajas
Sarah Manthei Laura Martin-Jelinski Cum Laude Cristina Martinez Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Ariana Real
Steven Roche Cum Laude
Amanda Mae McGlone
Madisen Elizabeth Rowe
Erika Lillian Meister Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
Emilio Saavedra
Luke Joseph Meister Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Patricia Mendoza Gold Ivy Leaf Cum Laude Lindsey Mercado Angeletta Moore Zachary Mosher Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma
Jacqueline Salazar Martinez Phi Eta Sigma
Caroline Torkelson Cum Laude
Madison Weretka Cum Laude
Samuel Baricovich Cum Laude Benin Bensley Magna Cum Laude Nadia Betancourt Summa Cum Laude Heather Blaney Summa Cum Laude
Rose Salazar
Colleen Bledsoe
Eric Sanchez
Perla Bolivar Cum Laude
Kaitlyn Nicole Sharp Cum Laude Alexis Shirley
Samantha Ann Buck Cum Laude
Mackenzie Smith
Sean Buck
Nicholas Spinasanto
Sean Burger Summa Cum Laude
Larissa Staley
Renata Caldwell
Ashley Nash
Joseph Stanfa Magna Cum Laude
Kristel Moreno Nevarez
Allison Stockton
Bailey Camp Magna Cum Laude
Ryan Neven
Jazmin Tapia Phi Eta Sigma
Mayra Cantu Ian Cates
Jordan Thoma
Lindsey Ceja Summa Cum Laude
Brenda Nguyen Sydnie Okon
Loryn Alissa Cole Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude Nataly Correa Cum Laude Caitlyn Madison Coyne Danielle Delay Magna Cum Laude Angelica Delgado Melissa Diaz Rachel Edgcomb Summa Cum Laude Kaeleigh Cathryn Edwards Cum Laude Fabiola Felix Magna Cum Laude Veronica Felix Cum Laude Daniela Martinez Fernandez Gold Ivy Leaf Magna Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Isabel M. Fernandez Magna Cum Laude Adrienne C. Fleming Summa Cum Laude
Cassandra Haddon Jennifer Hammje Constance Hansen Summa Cum Laude Korina Hansen Abigail Heinz Cum Laude Miguel Hernandez Summa Cum Laude Jennifer L. Jerominski Summa Cum Laude Diana Jimenez Cum Laude Claire Elizabeth Johnson Samantha Koff Cum Laude Cynthia Nicole Krupp Magna Cum Laude
Madison Menzel Summa Cum Laude Jared Meyerson Jacob Mohr Magna Cum Laude Essenze Moore Amanda Nava Magna Cum Laude Amanda Neill Magna Cum Laude Jennifer Nunez Cum Laude Jordan Pagels Magna Cum Laude Samantha Pasillas Madison Patrick Cum Laude Alaina Collie Pena
Jessica Kubacka Summa Cum Laude
Jesus Perez-Rincon Magna Cum Laude
Taylor Renee Ashley Lenz Summa Cum Laude
Courtney Perrin
Brianna Lewis Cum Laude Annika Lindgren Summa Cum Laude
Brittany Pitts Cum Laude Rebecca Priegel Summa Cum Laude Demetria Michelle Quinn
Dayana Gallo Summa Cum Laude
Melissa Lovitt Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
Veronica Gomez
Griselda Macias
Taylor Renee
Priscilla Gonzalez Cum Laude
Jacqueline Martinez Cum Laude
Olivia Riemer Summa Cum Laude
Sarah Grako Magna Cum Laude
Tori Mayers Summa Cum Laude
Nilda L. Rodriguez Cum Laude
Emily Greenback Cum Laude
Elivia C. Medina Cum Laude
Alexis Romero
Mckayla Greene
Carly Melody Summa Cum Laude
Elizabeth Grimm Diana Guerrero Magna Cum Laude
Judith Mencia Summa Cum Laude
Jennifer Ramirez Monica Recendez
Laura Sauer-Kenward Summa Cum Laude Taylor Serna Rebecca Skubiszewski Gold Ivy Leaf Summa Cum Laude
Jennifer Slipkevych Summa Cum Laude Cecilia Soria Summa Cum Laude Annabel Soriano Ashley Elizabeth Spies Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Morgan Stamm Cum Laude Belon Stanford Emily Subach Laurie Sucharzewski Summa Cum Laude Alyssa June Tiangco Cum Laude Omicron Delta Kappa Phi Eta Sigma Jazmin Tijerina Colleen Tyioran Summa Cum Laude Jami Valdez Stephanie Valerio Alejandra Vargas Destyne Velazquez Maria Vivanco Cum Laude Dajanae Washington Andrew Weisgerber Bernadette White Cum Laude Teryn Young Summa Cum Laude
ACADEMIC CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS The Presidential Chain The presidential chain prominently features gold ivy leaves. Early in the 20th century, John W. Beach, professor of Greek and Latin, suggested that ivy leaves growing on the outside of Eckhart Hall could be awarded to students showing exceptional academic achievement each semester. In 1932, Aurora College created the Gold Ivy Leaf Award. The tradition continues today as the university recognizes its most outstanding students each spring at the Honors Convocation. Three medallions tell the story of Aurora University. One features the Aurora College seal and another the George Williams College seal. There are striking similarities to the two emblems. One features a torch and the other a lamp of learning, powerful testimony to our understanding that education is a source of illumination and truth — the transformative power of learning. The two college seals find their final expression in the new Aurora University emblem encircled with the signature AU blue. In higher education, presidential chains and medallions indicate that the wearer is the highest office holder at institutional ceremonies. The Academic Ceremonial Mace The university mace was designed to represent the founding schools of Aurora University — Aurora College and George Williams College. The mace, originally a weapon used in the Middle Ages, has over the centuries become a symbol of order and authority. The design of the center head of the mace links Aurora College and George Williams College to Aurora University. The center head also includes the university seal. The mace is carried by a university official in the processions that begin and end academic exercises, such as Convocation and Commencement, and immediately precedes the president. When it is not being used in university ceremonies, the mace is displayed in the president’s office. Regalia At Aurora University, academic regalia is worn on ceremonial occasions, in a manner consistent with a tradition that finds its origins in the Middle Ages. As early as 1321, university degree holders wore costumes designed to reflect their particular status and roles. In addition to signaling differences in rank, the garments also served functional purposes. For example, the long gown provided necessary warmth in the drafty buildings of the time. Since each institution of higher learning
was free to develop its own distinctive regalia, many different forms of academic dress are found within the European tradition. American colleges and universities opted for a greater degree of uniformity. Their representatives gathered at Columbia University in 1895 to devise common standards for academic regalia. In the United States, gowns distinguish the rank of the wearer. For instance, the bachelor’s gown is unadorned and is characterized by wide sleeves that are pointed at the hem. The gowns worn by master’s degree recipients also are unadorned, but have curiously elongated sleeves. Doctoral gowns are trimmed with velvet facings down the front. Their bell-shaped sleeves are trimmed with three velvet bars across the sleeves. Graduates of most American colleges and universities wear black gowns. However, some institutions provide for special variations. For example, doctoral recipients from Harvard University wear crimson gowns; those from Yale University wear blue; and individuals holding doctoral degrees from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University wear maroon and purple, respectively. Black mortarboards are standard to most institutions of higher learning, although some feature soft velvet tams or Elizabethan caps. Traditionally, candidates for degrees wear the tassels on their mortarboards on the right, while those upon whom degrees have been conferred wear them on the left. Recipients of doctoral degrees may wear either black or gold tassels. Hoods provide the color in an academic procession. These garments, which today serve only ceremonial purposes, are worn fastened at the front of the collar and draped over the shoulders in such a way as to display the linings, which represent the color of the university awarding the degree. The hoods also have velvet linings in colors that represent particular disciplines or fields of study. Those worn by graduates in arts and letters, for example, are trimmed in white velvet, while those worn by degree recipients in education are trimmed in light blue velvet. AWARDS AND HONORS Distinguished members of the graduating class are eligible to receive a number of awards and honors, including the following: Graduation Honors — Undergraduate candidates with exceptional academic records will receive special recognition during the ceremony. These
students achieved an outstanding grade-point average and completed their course of study with a minimum of 30 semester hours at Aurora University. Honors based on grade-point average: » Summa Cum Laude: 3.90 to 4.00 » Magna Cum Laude: 3.75 to 3.899 » Cum Laude: 3.50 to 3.749 Gold Ivy Leaf Award — This award represents superior scholarship for those undergraduates who have completed a minimum of 90 semester hours for a letter grade at Aurora University and are graduating with at least Magna Cum Laude honors. Students who earn this recognition are awarded a gold medallion. Lincoln Laureate — Each year an outstanding senior from each of the fouryear degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded the Student Lincoln Academy Medallion and thereby becomes a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Student Laureates are honored for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. Military Recognition — This acknowledgement is given to undergraduate and graduate students who have honorably served, are serving, or are commissioned to serve in the United States military. Students are recognized by a red, white, and blue cord, signifying Aurora University’s appreciation for their service and dedication. Omicron Delta Kappa — Eligibility for membership in the National Leadership Honor Society is given to undergraduates who are juniors and seniors and based on established national guidelines, which include ranking in the upper 35 percent in scholarship and showing leadership in at least one of five areas of campus life, such as scholarship, athletics, community service, journalism, and the arts. Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society — Eligibility for membership in the Freshman Honor Society is based on first-time, full-time university attendance and a term grade-point average of 3.50 during the freshman year. Spartan Award — The Spartan Award is presented to a graduating senior who has made outstanding contributions to the life of the university. Students nominated embody the university’s commitment
to character and scholarship. Selection criteria include at least two of the following categories: » Leadership role(s) in a recognized student organization that demonstrates the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in an educational setting. » Leadership role(s) in a recognized athletic field that serves others in continuous learning and improvement. » Service to the community indicative of respect, fairness, and ethical conduct. As the speaker calls the name of our various graduates, please refer to these special recognitions in your program. AURORA UNIVERSITY Aurora University traces its origins to the 1893 founding of a seminary in the small town of Mendota, Illinois. Though established initially to prepare graduates for ministry, the institution soon adopted a broader mission and moved to a new campus on the western edge of the nearby community of Aurora. With this change came a different name and a growing enrollment. When World War II ended, the campus population swelled again as veterans enrolled in the college’s innovative evening degree program. The 1970s and 1980s saw an expansion of curricular offerings in a number of professional fields and the awarding of advanced degrees in selected disciplines. These changes culminated in the 1985 decision to rechristen the institution Aurora University. The roots of George Williams College run deep in the YMCA movement of the 19th century. In 1884, leaders from America’s western YMCAs gathered in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to attend a summer training program. Two years later, the camp was incorporated and the first parcel of the current Williams Bay campus was purchased. Since that time, “college camp” has been a source of inspiration, recreation, education, and renewal for thousands of guests and students. In 1992, the Aurora University and George Williams College traditions blended when the two institutions entered into the affiliation agreement that paved the way for merger eight years later. Today Aurora University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The
institution enrolls approximately 6,000 degree-seeking students a year on its Illinois and Wisconsin campuses and through its online program. AU students participate in a wide range of on- and off-campus learning experiences. They can join more than 60 musical, literary, religious, social, and service organizations and play active roles in campus governance. In addition, the university currently fields 24 NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic teams.