2024 East Campus Commencement Program

CLASS OF 2024 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY East Campus

Wethersfield High School Kewanee, Illinois

Friday, May 17, 2024

On Academic Regalia

On at least one solemn occasion during the academic calendar – Spring Commencement – the faculty of the college publicly display their full academic regalia and participate in the ritual of a processional and recessional from the commencement ceremony. The purposes of commencement are well-known, but the reasons for the peculiar dress of the celebrants and the order of the procession are often as confusing to the audience as they are, in fact, to the faculty. This note may help to explain academic costumes.

Today’s academics are descendants of clerical schoolmen in the universities of medieval Europe. Like clergy, members of the bench and bar, and other learned professionals, the medieval scholar clothed himself in heavy robes to keep out the draft from unheated, windowless buildings. Like all members of medieval society, faculty enjoyed the visible symbols of their rank. These outward signs of accomplishment and authority were tailored into the robes. The need for such voluminous garments to keep the scholar from catching a cold is long past but the use of them to symbolize the dignity of the profession remains.

Caps and gowns worn by our faculty are black. Black was the color adopted by mutual agreement among American colleges and universities at the end of the 19th century. In Europe, each university has its own distinctive gowns, varying in color and cut with each institution. A European commencement is a far more colorful occasion than its American counterpart.

There are four basic academic degrees: the associate degree, the baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree and the doctorate. Each has a special robe. The associate and bachelor’s gowns are trim, neat and unadorned, as benefits apprentices. The master’s gown is still simple, but fuller, with a hood draped from the shoulders down the back. Once used to keep the shaved heads of medieval clerks from freezing, the hood now is solely a badge of degree of scholarly achievement. The master’s hood is small and narrow, but displays the colors of the institution that awarded the degree. The doctorate robe has a generous cut, is faced with velvet, and emblazoned with velvet stripes on the ample sleeves. Most of the velvet facings and chevrons or stripes are black, but some are other colors. According to personal taste, doctors may display the color of their doctoral degree on their sleeves and facings: for example; royal blue for philosophy, green for medicine, purple for law, scarlet for theology. The doctor’s hood is lined in satin with the colors of the degree itself. All academic costumes include the square cap called a mortarboard. The doctor’s tassels may be either black or gold. Tassels of all other degrees may be black or the colors of the college or department from which the student graduated or is graduating.

Stage party members wearing black, gold and red hoods are members of the Black Hawk College Board of Trustees. Their hoods do not represent academic rank; they indicate the trustees’ public service through their governance of the local college district. The three colors represent an integration of the colors of the college’s Quad-Cities Campus and East Campus.

Commencement Program

Processional ...........................................................................................

Andrew Endress, Pianist BHC student

(The audience will rise when the procession enters the gym and will remain standing until after the Moment of Silence.)

Academic Procession

The Honor Marshals ..................................................................................... Emily A. Simmons

Sarah E. Lloyd Kailey A. Smith

Posting of Colors US Army Recruiting Station Davenport, IA

National Anthem ............................................................................. “The Star Spangled Banner” Arranged by John Philip Sousa Andrew Endress, Pianist & soloist BHC student

Moment of Silence

Student Remarks Lauryn Kuehl President, Student Government Association

Presentation of the Class of 2024.......................................................... Dr. Amy M. Maxeiner Vice President for Instruction

Awarding of Certificates and Conferring of Degrees Dr. Jeremy L. Thomas Board of Trustees

Jodee Werkheiser Professor President, East Campus Faculty Senate

Recessional ............................................................................................. Andrew Endress, Pianist

(The audience will rise and remain standing in place until the recession has exited the gymnasium.)

A sign language interpreter will be on the right-hand side of the stage.

The Black Hawk College Seal

The official college seal was adopted in May 1969. It incorporates some of the oldest symbols known. The “Y,” or fork, is a key sign symbolizing the up reaching spirit, the striving of being. Above the key sign is the flame which represents knowledge, specifically the knowledge of liberal arts and sciences programs. The old chemical sign at right is for basic metals, which represents vocational and technical education. On the left is the philosopher’s sign which describes the nature of human intellect and symbolizes the active intellect present in adults who continue their education. The enclosing circle represents the continuing circle of education. The Latin phrase, Collegium Pro Populo, identifies Black Hawk as the College for the People.

CERTIFICATES Class of 2024

ADVANCED LARGE ANIMAL TECHNICIAN

Isabella Rose Kuelper, Rio

Kelsie Lyn Parks, Colchester

ADVANCED VETERINARY OFFICE MANAGEMENT

Grace Kathleen Little, Williamsfield

Mia Marie Stone, East Moline

AGRICULTURE MECHANICS

Ryan Michael Kilstrom, Kewanee

MacKenzie-Rhea Olson, Cambridge

Charles Norman Rouse, Bradford

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALIST

Margaret Elizabeth Bewley, Aledo

Nicholas Dean Bosch, Bradford

Dalton James Icenogle, Aledo

Maxon Clark Vahle, Prophetstown

ANIMAL SCIENCE

Alec M. Atkins, Connersville, IN

Evan Scott DeKeyrel, Milan

l Lauryn G. Kuehl, Morrison

Cassidy Jean Miller, Hooppole

Luke Stephen Schroeder, Westphalia, MO

Caden Bates Smith, Richwood, OH

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR

Margaret Elizabeth Bewley, Aledo

Nicholas Dean Bosch, Bradford

Kian Joseph DeLoose, Viola

Blake Daniel Hallendorff, Geneseo

Dalton James Icenogle, Aledo

Maxon Clark Vahle, Prophetstown

BASIC NURSE ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAM

Olivia Rae Brown, Cambridge

Ciara Lee Clark, Cambridge

Aaliyah Carmela Duarte, Kewanee

Alejandro C. Duarte, Kewanee

Maya Rose Hakes, Annawan

Kyle Logan Hollins, Kewanee

Lakeshia Deanne Jones, Wyoming

Hateya Dashay Lindsey, Kewanee

Susan Joy Merrit, Kewanee

Pamela M. Mina, East Moline

Paula Marie Plummer, Galva

Mercedes Sarafia Clarice Strong, Wyoming

Ashley Ann VanWassenhove, Kewanee

Alexia Marie Yarbrough, Woodhull

BEEF PRODUCTION

Evan Scott DeKeyrel, Milan

l Lauryn G. Kuehl, Morrison

Cassidy Jean Miller, Hooppole

Charles Garret Parr, Mason City

Colton Taylor Peterson, Roanoke

Luke Stephen Schroeder, Westphalia, MO

BRAKE SPECIALIST

Margaret Elizabeth Bewley, Aledo

Nicholas Dean Bosch, Bradford

Kian Joseph DeLoose, Viola

Blake Daniel Hallendorff, Geneseo

Dalton James Icenogle, Aledo

l Leah Sandra Murphy, Atkinson

Maxon Clark Vahle, Prophetstown

GAS METAL ARC WELDING

Kaden Gustav Daniel Larson, Cambridge

Jaiden Todd Little, Kewanee

Kamrenn Charles Minton, Geneseo

Andrew Thomas Norton, Neponset

Riley Devlin Porter, Rock Island

HORSE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY

Kathryn Lynn Aeschbach, Black Earth, WI

Madeleine Marie Baxa, New Lenox

w Josey Lynn Clem, Muncie

Emily Ann Eartly, Shorewood

Connor Nolan Grunst, Spring Grove

w McKenna Ruth Konvicka, Havana

Kaylee Ann Millinger, Denver, NC

P Eilish Margaret O’Rourke, Beecher

Savannah Jo Stamann, Brimfield

Hannah Renee Wheeler, Ottawa

SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING

Owen Adams, Alpha

Kaden Gustav Daniel Larson, Cambridge

Jaiden Todd Little, Kewanee

Kamrenn Charles Minton, Geneseo

Andrew Thomas Norton, Neponset

Gavin William VerHeecke, Woodhull

SWINE PRODUCTION

Emily Jo Chenoweth, Portland, IN

Evan Scott DeKeyrel, Milan

l Lauryn G. Kuehl, Morrison

Cassidy Jean Miller, Hooppole

Luke Stephen Schroeder, Westphalia, MO

VETERINARY ASSISTING

Emma Gracie Evans, Toulon

Anne Elizabeth Hohulin, Deer Creek

Audrey Marie Hutchison, Elmwood

Sierrah Noelle Lucero, Galesburg

Kassandra Nicole Maas, New Boston

Adalynn Morgan Waller-Hawkins, Sterling

WELDING

Owen Adams, Alpha

Kaden Gustav Daniel Larson, Cambridge

Jaiden Todd Little, Kewanee

Kamrenn Charles Minton, Geneseo

Andrew Thomas Norton, Neponset

Gavin William VerHeecke, Woodhull

WHEEL ALIGNMENT/ SUSPENSION

Margaret Elizabeth Bewley, Aledo

Nicholas Dean Bosch, Bradford

Kian Joseph DeLoose, Viola

Dalton James Icenogle, Aledo

Maxon Clark Vahle, Prophetstown

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE Class of 2024

AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT

l Molly Marie Bell, Oneida

Emily Jo Chenoweth, Portland, IN

Matthew Clark Cummings, Knoxville

Bryar Andrew Fleisher, Knoxville

Levi Rocco Hardy, Walnut

Addison Grace Hicks, Buda

Francis Paul Hillier, Woodhull

Madison Burlin Jaggers, Wyanet

Cheyanne Rebecca Judd, Cortland

l Lauryn G. Kuehl, Morrison

Matthew Stanley Megli, Rock Falls

Jaden Michael Michlig, Princeton

Cassidy Jean Miller, Hooppole

Kane Albert Purdy, Alden, MN

Jacob Lawrence Roth, Galva

Luke Stephen Schroeder, Westphalia, MO

Sloan William Schutz, Rock Falls

Caden Bates Smith, Richwood, OH

AGRICULTURE MECHANICS TECHNOLOGY

Andrew L. DeSplinter, Elmwood

Ryan Michael Kilstrom, Kewanee

MacKenzie-Rhea Olson, Cambridge

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE

AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

l Johnathan James Chaput, Johnsburg

Evan Scott DeKeyrel, Milan

Bryar Andrew Fleisher, Knoxville

Levi Rocco Hardy, Walnut

Addison Grace Hicks, Buda

Francis Paul Hillier, Woodhull

Micah Ignacio Ibarra, Port Byron

Madison Burlin Jaggers, Wyanet

Cheyanne Rebecca Judd, Cortland

Drew Michael Maertens, Geneseo

Matthew Stanley Megli, Rock Falls

Jaden Michael Michlig, Princeton

Cassidy Jean Miller, Hooppole

Charles Garret Parr, Mason City

Colton Taylor Peterson, Roanoke

Kane Albert Purdy, Alden, MN

Luke Stephen Schroeder, Westphalia, MO

Sloan William Schutz, Rock Falls

Caden Bates Smith, Richwood, OH

Oscar Manuel Solano, Logansport, IN

Cody Charles Wick, Gratiot, WI

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS

Hope Josephine Bennett, Neponset

Carina Castaneda, East Moline

Kassidy H. Cooper, Cambridge

Dylan E. Craver, Taylor Ridge

Madison Kay Dillender, Kewanee

Jacob Marshall Ford, Media

6 Isaac Austin Frank, Kewanee

n Brody Margaret Garcia, Kewanee

Cameron J. Gatlin, Chicago

Mercedes Marie Hasbrook, Neponset

l9 Jaxson Lee Hicks, Kewanee

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR TECHNOLOGY

Margaret Elizabeth Bewley, Aledo

Nicholas Dean Bosch, Bradford

Dalton James Icenogle, Aledo

Maxon Clark Vahle, Prophetstown

EQUESTRIAN SCIENCE

Kathryn Lynn Aeschbach, Black Earth, WI

Madeleine Marie Baxa, New Lenox

w Josey Lynn Clem, Muncie

Emily Ann Eartly, Shorewood

P Abbigail Marian Froelich, Muscatine, IA

Connor Nolan Grunst, Spring Grove

w McKenna Ruth Konvicka, Havana

Kaylee Ann Millinger, Denver, NC

P Eilish Margaret O’Rourke, Beecher

Savannah Jo Stamann, Brimfield

Kurstin Camry Walker, Pottsboro, TX

Hannah Renee Wheeler, Ottawa

l Traidan Cheyenne Hier, Kewanee

Chloe Ann Irving, Toulon

slv Bradyn Kyle Jagers, Kewanee

<J Mya Katherine Kirgan, New Holland

l9 Kennedy Rose Kloepping, Princeton

w McKenna Ruth Konvicka, Havana

Emile Lorenzo Limoges III, Zephyrhills, FL

Courtney Miller, Sheffield

6 Shelbi E. Murphy, Annawan

6l9 Timothy Jess Nichols, Dahinda

6 Dylan Guy Philhower, Kewanee

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE

Alanna R. Anderson, Moline

m Jonwyn Cara Ayres, Powers, OR

l9 Paula Marie Rose Burke, Prophetstown

Samantha Jean Calvetti, Cape Coral, FL

Madison Marie Casteel, Cambridge

Brooke Elizabeth Chandler, Erie

m9 Grace Elizabeth Cloud, Tipton, IN

Josie Raye Doshier, Ralston, OK

9 Jaysen William Heitzler, Annawan

Carson Patrick Holmes, Joy

9 Montana Theresa Hulsmeyer, Harrod, OH

Emma Rose Jackson, Moneta, VA

Jack Thomas Johnson, Prole, IA

Aaron Joseph Kendrick, Shallowater, TX

Alexis Ida Koelling, Bowling Green, MO

Lane Robert Krueger, Groton, SD

Jl9 Hannah Marie Maher, Woodhull

Lane Robert Moodie, Bradford

Adelyne Stacey Phares, Rock Island

m9 Preston Tyler Rhode, Carlock

Morgan Grace Richardson, Capron

l Abigail Jo Rusk, Annawan

l Daniel A. Sanchez, Kewanee

Connor Lee Sandrock, Tampico

l Landon Douglas Sauer, Kewanee

Parker Joseph Saum, Ramer, TN

GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL & TECHNICAL STUDIES

Robin Francesca Gerbitz, Tampico

HORSE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY

w McKenna Ruth Konvicka, Havana

Kaylee Ann Millinger, Denver, NC

Savannah Jo Stamann, Brimfield

Kurstin Camry Walker, Pottsboro, TX

Hannah Renee Wheeler, Ottawa

VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY

Isabella Rose Kuelper, Rio

Grace Kathleen Little, Williamsfield

Alexis Marie Lopez, Moline

Kelsie Lyn Parks, Colchester

l Paige Leann Porter, Rock Island

Mia Marie Stone, East Moline

Jasmyn Lyn VanHorn, Tampico

Class of 2024

Jared David Prindiville, Toulon

Dexter Lane Ricketts, Little York

Alex L. Werkheiser, Kewanee

Delaney Marie Windover, Toulon

Brady Blake Zarvell, Kewanee

Class of 2024

9 Harlee Anne Schnulle, Capron

Grace Elizabeth Strief, Cascade, IA

Reece Joseph Thoreson, Knoxville

Emma Raye Violet, Springfield, OH

Riley Lhane Wendt, Dublin, OH

Teralynn Rose Whitcher, Kewanee

Matthew Charles Wood, Kewanee

J9 Morgan Lorraine Wood, Princeton

Graduation Honors

Summa Cum Laude graduates are identified by a gold honor cord. (60 hours at Black Hawk College and a 3.95 GPA or higher)

Magna Cum Laude graduates are identified by a white honor cord. (45 hours at Black Hawk College and a 3.85 GPA or higher)

Cum Laude graduates are identified by a red honor cord. (30 hours at Black Hawk College and a 3.75 GPA or higher)

l Phi Theta Kappa, Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges

Phi Theta Kappa graduates may be identified by a gold stole or blue and gold cords.

n Alpha Beta Gamma, International Business Honor Society

Alpha Beta Gamma graduates may be identified by a blue stole with Greek letters or a blue stole with emblem and Greek letters.

s Psi Beta, National Honor Society in Psychology for Community and Junior Colleges

Psi Beta graduates may be identified by a blue and gold cord.

v Sigma Kappa Delta, the English Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges

Sigma Kappa Delta graduates may be identified by a green and gold cord.

: Distinguished Academic All-American – National Horse Judging Team

These graduates are identified by the National Horse Judging Team Coaches Association as being in the Top 10 overall at the national level and must have a 3.8 GPA.

< Academic All-American – National Horse Judging Team

These graduates are identified by the National Horse Judging Team Coaches Association as being in the Top 10 overall at the national level and must have a 3.5-3.79 GPA.

P Academic All-American – National Horse Show 1st Team

These graduates are identified by participating at the national level in at least two shows and achieving a 3.8 or higher GPA.

w Academic All-American – National Horse Show 2nd Team

These graduates are identified by participating at the national level in at least two shows and achieving a 3.5 or higher GPA.

m Academic All-American – Livestock Judging Team

6 Military Service

Military service members honorably discharged or currently serving may be identified by a red, white and blue honor cord.

J Black Hawk College Honors Program

These graduates are identified by a gold, black and white cord.

9 Founders’ Scholars

These graduates are recognized for achieving the criteria identified by the East Campus Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty.

Black Hawk College East Campus Faculty 2023-2024

PROFESSORS

Alan J. Abbott, Ph.D.

Aaron J. Callahan, B.S.

Drew L. Cotton, M.S.

Traci L. Davis, Psy.D.

Brigette R. Dorrance, Ph.D.

Brian S. Glaser, M.A.

Jason S. Grice, A.A.S.

Darcy C. Jeffries, M.B.A.

Katie M. Johnson, M.S.

Andrew C. Larson, M.S.

Paul A. Lockard, Ph.D.

Kenneth J. Nickels, M.S.

Katie A. Rushing-Anderson, M.S.

Laura M. Snook, M.S.

Gary L. Werkheiser, B.S.

Jodee E. Werkheiser, M.S.

Jenni L. Wessel-Fields, M.S.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS

Ewelina B. Bergert, M.B.A.

Blake D. Bloomberg, Ph.D.

Andrew D. Mansheim, M.S.

Sarah A. Nelson, M.A.

Isaac J. Stewart, M.S.

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS

Rebekah E. Irish, B.S.

Janet M. Johnson, C.V.T.

Greg M. Jurgenson, C.V.T.

Jacob A. Winters, M.S.

INSTRUCTORS

Patrick D. Ericson, A.W.S.

Selena Finn, M.S.

Sana J. Harb, D.B.A.

Merriam B. Jolly, M.A.

Colleen A. Lewis, D.V.M.

Leah C. Michel, A.A.S.

Georgjean L. Pitsoulakis, M.A.

Cole R. Wright, M.S.

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Claudia C. Alonzo

Amanda M. Attig

Christina N. Beauchamp

Kyle E. Bess

Nimisha Bhate

Deanna Brossman

Kindra C. Callahan

Lora Carmichael

Scott T. Christensen

Vicki S. Darwin

Jon DeBord

Charley J. Eads

Logan Eggers

Bartholomew T. Frey

Jennifer Grebner

Haley M. Gruber

Jay M. Hagaman

John T. Hartman

Aaron J. Heartt

Dan E. Hoge

Jilian Huber

Tricia L. Lay

Hannah J. Libby

Brandon Livingston

Amy Miler

Alexis Ruemker

Robert Stone

Trenton J. Taber

Mallory J. Tolley

Jeremy Trill

Kayla Westfall

Taylor M. Wilkinson

Board of Trustees

Fritz W. Larsen, Moline, Board Chair

Douglas L. Strand, East Moline, Vice Chair

Christian H. Jackson, Geneseo, Secretary

David L. Dyer, Galva

Samantha J. Gange, Rock Island

Kimberly D. Goodley, Annawan

Jeffrey M. Swan, Colona

Jonwyn Ayres, Kewanee, Student Trustee, 2023-2024

Amber Schlue, Silvis, Student Trustee, 2024-2025

Executive Administration

Jeremy L. Thomas, Ed.D., President

Richard G. Bush, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development

John W. Castree, M.A., Interim Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Shawn A. Cisna, M.A., Chief of Police

Barb A. Courville, B.S., Associate Dean of Adult and Continuing Education

Sandra J. Cox, B.A., Manager of Administrative Systems and Co-Chief Information Officer

Steven J. Frommelt, M.B.A., Executive Vice President

Zenaida Landeros, E.M.N.A., Executive Director, Black Hawk College Foundation

Vincent C. Luley, B.S./B.M., Director of Human Resources

Kathleen M. Malcolm, M.S.W., Executive Director of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness

Amy M. Maxeiner Ed.D., P.T., Vice President for Instruction and Interim Dean of Health and Human Services

John P. Meineke, B.B.A., Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Ryan E. White, B.A., IT Systems Manager and Co-Chief Information Officer

Danielle M. Williams, M.A., Executive Director, Black Hawk College East Foundation

Deans

Heather F.W. Bjorgan, M.A., M.B.A., Dean for Student Services

John W. Castree, M.A., Interim Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Karima T. Gahagan, M.A., Dean of Academic Services

Daniel C. Marvin, Ph.D., Dean of Economic and Workforce Development

Amy M. Maxeiner Ed.D., P.T., Vice President for Instruction and Interim Dean of Health and Human Services

Black Hawk College East Foundation Board of Directors

Joe Orwig, Chair

Brandon Hall, Vice Chair/ ABCA Representative

Doug Parrott, Treasurer

Ray Jacobs, Secretary

Steve Becker

Clint Block

Dr. Blake Bloomberg, Faculty Representative

Bruce Dennison

Jolene Efnor

Lauryn Kuehl, Student Government Association Representative

Tami Rouse, ABCA Representative

Dave Rylander

Dr. Kim Stevens

Ex-Officio Members

David Dyer, Trustee Representative

Dr. Jeremy Thomas, President

Danielle Williams, Executive Director

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Legal citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 (Title IX). Students should direct inquiries to Title IX Coordinator Jana Koch, Black Hawk College, Building 1, Room 377, 6600 34th Ave., Moline, IL 61265. Phone 309-796-5177 or email kochj@bhc.edu. Faculty and staff should direct inquiries to the Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Black Hawk College, Building 1, Human Resources, 6600 34th Ave., Moline, IL 61265, phone 309-796-5222 or email HR@bhc.edu.

Students, faculty and staff at Black Hawk College participate in a variety of activities designed to assess and improve student learning and to bring about institutional change. Examples of such activities may include placement testing, surveys, collecting random samples of student work, exit testing, and portfolio evaluation.

If you need accommodations, contact Disability Resources & Access at 309-796-5900 or accessqc@bhc.edu at least 5 business days in advance. 27270KM04/24