COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY DECEMBER 10, 2023
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY D E C E M B E R 1 0, 2 0 2 3
President Dr. James M. Reynolds, Presiding with Provost Mary M. Black FACULTY MARSHALS:
Dr. Joel Blanco, Associate Professor of Exercise Science & Sport Dr. Katherine Leo, Associate Professor of Music
STUDENT MARSHALS:
Zachary Hollis, Sophomore, Communication Major Reed Pierson, Junior, Human Services Major
The audience will rise with the entrance of the Academic Procession and will remain standing until the President speaks.
PROCESSIONAL
Overture from Pulcinella — Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION President Reynolds
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SPEAKER “More to Come” — Kayla Green, Class of 2023
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
“The Blue Thread” — Amy Kemp, Class of 1999, Board of Trustees
THE CONFERRING OF DEGREES The Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree, College of Professional Studies The Master of Science in Nursing Degree, College of Professional Studies The Master of Business Administration Degree, Tabor School of Business The Bachelor of Science Degree, Tabor School of Business The Bachelor of Arts Degree, College of Arts & Sciences The Bachelor of Science Degree, College of Arts & Sciences The Bachelor of Arts Degree, College of Fine Arts The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, College of Fine Arts The Bachelor of Music Degree, College of Fine Arts
The Bachelor of Science Degree, College of Fine Arts The Bachelor of Arts Degree, College of Professional Studies The Bachelor of Science Degree, College of Professional Studies The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, College of Professional Studies
CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ronald L. Branch — Chairman, Board of Trustees
WELCOME TO THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Lexi Rogers — Class of 2016, Alumni Association Board
TASSEL CEREMONY
Trinity Pesko — Class of 2023
The audience will rise and remain standing for the Alma Mater and Academic Recession.
SINGING OF THE ALMA MATER
Howard Akers (1913-1984) Cora Carr, Carson Cole, Indigo Egger and Rachel Pusateri will lead the Alma Mater To the Blue and the White we will loyal be, Hail our Alma Mater With our voices we’ll sing ever faithfully, Hail our Alma Mater Her cherished traditions we’ll uphold, Our loyalty will ne’er grow old Loyal sons and daughters we always will be, Hail our Alma Mater.
RECESSIONAL
Harmony Music No. 1 — Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY EIDOLAN WOODWIND QUINTET
Professor Claire Taylor, faculty coach Isabel Rimovsky, flute Erica Edwards, flute Julie Funck, clarinet Bradley Rossbach, clarinet Tabitha Barowsky, bassoon
C L A S S O F 2 0 2 3 // S T U D E N T S P E A K E R S
Kayla Green is graduating with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, Sociology and Philosophy with a concentration in Pre-Law. Kayla is from Chicago, IL and is the daughter of Maraguerite Pearson and Kevin Green.
KAYLA GREEN
Class of 2023
During her time at Millikin, Kayla has learned much about herself as an individual and used this newfound knowledge to serve in capacities that have been beneficial to the development of her peers. Kayla has been honored to serve as President of the Kappa Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, President of the Social Action Club, Track and Field Women’s Jump Crew Captain and a proud EDGE mentor. She is grateful for the many opportunities that she has been able to take advantage of while at Millikin; from studying case law to prepare for the Moot Court Competition, working for the Macon County Sheriff’s Department, helping at the local Boys and Girls Club and so much more. More than anything she is grateful for the support that has been extended to her during her time here and the connections she has been able to make as a result.
C L A S S O F 2 0 2 3 // C O M M E N C E M E N T S P E A K E R S
Amy helps leaders and business professionals understand how deeply thought habits impact every part of their work and lives. As a certified Habit Finder Coach, Amy has led over 300 female business leaders through a four-month small-group engagement called Encounter that is designed to replace unhealthy thought habits with more healthy ones. She has also worked through the Habit Finder curriculum with hundreds of leaders in one-on-one settings and with leadership teams at small and large companies.
AMY KEMP
Class of 1999 Owner & CEO of Amy Kemp, Inc.
In addition, Amy teaches two online courses each year in the fall and spring that are designed to challenge and expand her clients’ understanding of themselves and to offer an easy entry point to her work for those who are curious and seeking. Some of the most popular topics in her library of offerings are “Money Is a Mirror” and “A Boundary Is Not a Wall.” Finally, with the launch of I See You: A Guide for Women to Make More, Have More, and Be More—Without More Work on February 29, 2024, Amy offers an opportunity for everyone to learn and engage with her and the principles that guide her coaching in the pages of her first book. Amy lives in Bourbonnais, Ill., with her husband, Ryan, and three kids.
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
D O C T OR OF N U R SI NG PR AC T IC E Dr. Elizabeth Gephart, Interim Dean
Mi Balgemann
Mt. Zion, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Stacie Elizabeth Bowden Urbana, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Amber Marie Brown Springfield, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Kaitlyn Ann Crawford Decatur, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Abigail Lynn Greider Springfield, IL Family Nurse Practitioner
Jose Ibarra Brookfield, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Daniel Scott Johnson Idaho Falls, ID Nurse Anesthesia
Blake Robert McNamara
Homer Glen, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Karlee Lynn McNeely New Berlin, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Souroush Niknahad Decatur, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Janelle Elizabeth Rear Monticello, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Elizabeth Ann Royse Monticello, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Adam John Stocksiek
Morton, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Kevin M. Sweeny Champaign, IL Nurse Anesthesia
Samiha Thapa Shelbyville, IL Family Nurse Practitioner
Laura Yeager
Royal, IL Nurse Anesthesia
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Dr. Elizabeth Gephart, Interim Dean
Tresne Donea McCarty Decatur, IL Nurse Educator
TABOR SCHOOL OF BUSINESS M A ST E R OF BUSI N E S S A DM I N I ST R AT ION
RJ Podeschi, Dean
Alyson Nicole Armstrong
J. Todd Hunter Keith
Reiss Andrew Naylor
Jordan Cleanoy Carson
Terezz Thomas Kahoku’OKalani Isaiah Lee
Coumba Arame Niasse
Watson, IL Management
Decatur, IL Management
Mark Kendall Dehority III Decatur, IL Management
Rachel Ann-Chun Gilbert Scott Air Force Base Management
Jacob Joseph Havis Plainfield, IL Management
Rossville, IL Management
O’Fallon, MO Management
Scarlett Gabriela Linares Chicago, IL Management
Shaylan Aundrey Loomis-Lucas Decatur, IL Management
Jacob Michael Meyer Greencastle, IN Management
Troy, IL Management
Dakar, Senegal Management
Jack Charles Patterson
Alton, IL Management
Max Allen Phillips Salem, IL Management
Macklin V. Snyder Decatur, IL Management
Lexus Adelle Tennison El Paso, IL Management
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BAC H E L OR OF A RT S Dr. Nancy Curtin, Dean
Avery Damron**
Santa Rosa, CA Criminal Justice, Philosophy
Kayla Green+
Chicago, IL Sociology, Philosophy, Criminal Justice
Daniel James Peters* Forsyth, IL History
Claire Elizabeth Reynolds Macon, IL English – Literature
Kiley Charise Stevenson Las Vegas, NV Philosophy – Ethics
Rileigh Niccole Watts* Forsyth, IL Foreign Language - Spanish Education
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES BAC H E L OR OF SC I E NC E
Dr. Nancy Curtin, Dean
Alysha Davis**
Hannah Elizabeth Hayes
Kelli Marie Sangston
Savanna Jo Early**
Micka Diella Iteka
Paige A. Willer
Ryan Alexander Fitch
Dennis Arron Jackson
Tanesha Marie Williams
Delaney Grace Haubner
Emma Paige Lewis+
Downers Grove, IL Biology
Decatur, IL Criminal Justice, Sociology
Dunlap, IL Criminal Justice, Sociology
Decatur, IL Biology - Secondary Education
Cerro Gordo, IL Biology
Decatur, IL Chemistry
Mecca, IN Criminal Justice
Monett, MO Biology - Life Science Studies
Tuscon, AZ Psychology
Decatur, IL Chemistry
Florissant, MO Biology - Secondary Education
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
BAC H E L OR OF A RT S Jessa Wilcoxen, Interim Dean
Faith Elizabeth Anderson* Chicago, IL Theatre
Stefany Elizabeth Ater** Oakley, IL Art
Cristobal Andres Gonzalez-Gastelum
Chula Vista, CA Arts Technology
MaryRose Clare Jones** Dubuque, IA Theatre & Performance
Dustin Taylor Lohman Sparta, IL Arts Technology
Hailey Rose Miffitt+ Oakhurst, NJ Theatre & Performance
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
BAC H E L OR OF F I N E A RT S Jessa Wilcoxen, Interim Dean
Catherine Ann Frank+
Araceli Sophia Hughes
Maya Noor Saib*
Tate Heinle
Trinity Mae Pesko*
Luis Angel Sanchez
Champaign, IL Studio Art
Fuquay Varina, NC Musical Theatre
Bronx, NY Acting
Phillips, WI Acting
Raleigh, NC Acting
North Vernon, IN Acting
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
BAC H E L OR OF M USIC Jessa Wilcoxen, Interim Dean
Arthur Louie Marial Canda** Gurnee, IL Music Education - Vocal
Thomas J. Power
Libertyville, IL Music Education - Instrumental
Grace M. Portz
Springfield, IL Music Education - Instrumental
COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
BAC H E L OR OF SC I E NC E Jessa Wilcoxen, Interim Dean
Skylar Madison Copeland** Chestnut, IL Arts Technology
Michael Peyton Foreman** St. Joseph, IL Music Business
Tyre Alexander Jones Florissant, MO Arts Technology
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
BAC H E L OR OF SC I E NC E Dr. Elizabeth Gephart, Interim Dean
Salat Bilal Al-Nurridin**
Shiann Elizabeth Manint
Andrew Smith III
Callahan Wyatt Case+
Donald McGhee Jr.
Joshua Thomas Tarlin*
Kaitlin Elaine Dickey
Kaitlyn Marie Meachum
Sarahi Angie Villafana
Decatur, IL Exercise Science
Clinton, IL Physical Education
Decatur, IL Physical Education
Monticello, IL Interdepartmental
St. Louis, MO Health Promotion
Decatur, IL Elementary Education
Country Club Hills, IL Exercise Science
Rolling Meadows, IL Sport & Recreation Management
Chicago, IL Sport & Recreation Management
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
BAC H E L OR OF A RT S
Dr. Elizabeth Gephart, Interim Dean
Audrey Jo Eades+
Mt. Zion, IL Elementary Education
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
BAC H E L OR OF SC I E NC E I N N U R SI NG Dr. Elizabeth Gephart, Interim Dean
Abigail Elorm Bam Romeoville, IL Nursing
Lindsey Lee-Ann Cole Decatur, IL Nursing
Destiny Crawford
Decatur, IL Nursing
Skye Etnier+
Normal, IL Nursing
Olivia Delsa Madura Belleville, IL Nursing
Ally Pruser+ Clinton, IL Nursing
Alexander W. Shingleton
Sheela Ann Sunderland*
Kimberly Lynette Spencer
Isabella Rene VanDyke
Macon, IL Nursing
Springfield, IL Nursing
Decatur, IL Nursing
St. Peters, MO Nursing
Zoe Marie Studebaker* Decatur, IL Nursing
TABOR SCHOOL OF BUSINESS BAC H E L OR OF SC I E NC E
RJ Podeschi, Dean
Jacob Lee Adams
Eli William Hartsfield
Christine Ngingo
Jacob Matthew Blair**
Anthony Giovanni Incarnato
Jean-Maxime Perraud
Kaylee Elizabeth Bovyn
Aundrea Jenkins
Tracey Lynn Preston+
Kyle Mason Clendenen
Emilie M. Lafrenz
Zachary Ethan Steele**
Cory A. Erickson
Mya Faran Lux**
Kellia Urunjeni
Alijah McGee**
Jennifer Verardi
O’Fallon, MO Management
Warrensburg, IL Finance
Decatur, IL Business Communication
Brownsburg, IN Business Communication
Belleville, IL Management Information Systems, Sport & Recreation Management
Frederick William Halper Mt. Zion, IL Digital Media Marketing
Tallahassee, FL Management
Decatur, IL Management
Country Club Hills, IL Organizational Leadership
Springfield, IL Accounting
Mt. Zion, IL Accounting
Cahokia Heights, IL Management
Kigali, Rwanda Entrepreneurship
Figaniere, France International Business
Columbia, MO Management
Decatur, IL Management Information Systems
Kigali, Rwanda Finance
Taylorville, IL Organizational Leadership
JAMES MILLIKIN HONORS SCHOLARS
Skylar Madison Copeland Alysha Davis Cory A. Erickson Michael Peyton Foreman Tate Heinle Emma Paige Lewis Trinity Mae Pesko Claire Elizabeth Reynolds Maya Noor Saib Kiley Charise Stevenson
* graduating Summa Cum Laude with a minimum 3.8 grade point average (pending final grade calculations) ** graduating Magna Cum Laude with a minimum 3.65 grade point average (pending final grade calculations) + graduating Cum Laude with a minimum 3.5 grade point average (pending final grade calculations)
The appearance of names on this program does not necessarily signify the issuance of degrees. Honors are based on previous term. We regret that later changes may not be reflected in the Commencement Program.
Millikin prepares students for professional success; democratic citizenship in a global environment; and a personal life of meaning and value.
The
this
Studies at Millikin University wear white tassels except
afternoon’s academic procession are an extension
regalia
worn
by
participants
in
for nursing degree candidates who wear apricot tassels.
of a medieval tradition and symbolize the highest
Candidates for the bachelor of science degree in the Tabor
academic degree earned by the wearer and
School of Business wear olive drab tassels. Students in
the academic institution awarding the degree.
the College of Fine Arts wear brown tassels except for bachelor of music candidates who wear pink tassels.
The robe is usually black with a semi-stiff yoke and pleated front. The bachelor’s gown has pointed
Tassels are worn on the right side of the mortarboard
open sleeves with no ornamentation; the master’s
until
gown has longer, crescent-shaped sleeves; the
shifted to the left side by the entire graduating class.
the
degree
is
conferred
and
then
will
be
doctor’s gown has full-length lapels of velvet and bell-shaped sleeves with three horizontal velvet
Members of the faculty with advanced degrees wear hoods in
bars. The doctor’s gown and the velvet bars may
the colors of their degrees and the granting institutions. The
be a color reflecting the wearer’s field of study.
facing of the hood denotes the field of study while the colors of the lining are those of the college or university which
The doctor’s hood is the longest and fullest.
conferred the degree. Millikin University confers honorary
The color of lining of the hood indicates the
doctorates; linings for these hoods are Yale blue and white.
degree-granting institution. The doctoral gown is usually faced with black or blue velvet down the
Tassels for advanced degrees are normally black, except
front, and there are three bars of black or blue
doctorates may be of gold metallic thread. Tassels may also
velvet across the sleeves. The facing and crossbars
be colored as are the facings of the hoods for advanced
may also be done in velvet in the color distinctive
degrees: arts, letters and humanities, white; business
of the subject for which the degree was awarded,
and accounting, olive drab; education, light blue; music,
or in colors of the institution awarding the degree.
pink; philosophy, dark blue; science, golden yellow; law,
The color of the trim signifies the field of study:
purple; library science, lemon; theology, scarlet; etc.
white, arts and letters; golden yellow, science; purple, law; apricot, nursing; green, medicine;
The processional is led by student marshals. Two professors
olive drab, business and accounting; lemon,
serve as faculty marshals. Following them in the processional
library science; scarlet, theology; dark blue,
are the faculty; University trustees, who wear distinguishing
philosophy; pink, music; light blue, education.
purple hoods and mortarboards; and the platform party.
Candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Professional
As an institution of higher learning, Millikin University has a responsibility to acknowledge the historical context in which it exists. Thus, in the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the land upon which we celebrate today is the ancestral home of multiple Native nations. Specifically, we stand on the lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Myaamia, Mascountin, Mesquaki, Kikaapoi and Ochethi Sakowin nations which hold historical, cultural and sacred significance to these Indigenous people. We also acknowledge the living history and contributions of these First People Communities that inhabited the land prior to the establishment of Millikin University and recognize their continuing contributions which allow our campus community to flourish.