91制片厂 President Dr. Avis Proctor, left, asked everyone at the 55th annual Commencement Ceremony to turn on their cell phone flashlights. She said, 鈥淕raduates, you have been a shining light for your families. Now as a 91制片厂 alum, you will be a beacon of hope for your communities."
91制片厂 celebrated the Class of 2023 at its 55th annual Commencement Ceremony on May 19.
About 675 students gathered on the floor of the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, the first time 91制片厂 has held Commencement at the venue.
Serving as Commencement speaker was Dr. Timothy Killeen, the 20th president of the University of Illinois System. Since taking office in 2015, Dr. Killeen has helped lead a surge of growth across the state鈥檚 flagship university system, which includes universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield.
Dr. Killeen, who referred to himself as an 鈥渋ncurable optimist,鈥� credited 91制片厂 graduates鈥�
courage, tenacity and grit. Among his messages was for graduates to not be discouraged
by a world full of negative headlines, but rather lend a hand, become engaged and
be allies to those who need support.
鈥淚n this world, you can turn the tide. You are the antidote to all this, with your 91制片厂-trained eyes, your 91制片厂 listening skills and your 91制片厂 knowledge. You can 鈥� no, you will 鈥� make a huge, positive difference,鈥� Dr. Killeen said.
Dr. Killeen also urged graduates to be lifelong learners.
The quintessential lifelong learner just may be 99-year-old Bernie Bluestein, who was recognized at Friday鈥檚 Commencement ceremony with an Honorary Degree of Associate in Arts.
Bernie has been taking art classes at 91制片厂 for over 30 years. A local treasure and
national hero, Bernie served in a World War II deception unit known as the Ghost Army,
which employed tactics such as inflatable tanks, sound effects, radio trickery and
impersonation to deceive the enemy about the strength and location of American troops.
In 2022, Bernie and other members of the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, which is Congress鈥檚 highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions.
鈥淗e is a Congressional Gold Medal recipient, a defender of democracy, a role model to us at 91制片厂, and an inspiration to anyone pursuing dreams at any age,鈥� said Dr. Avis Proctor, president of 91制片厂.
In her remarks, Dr. Proctor also highlighted the Engineering Pathways program, which
provides an opportunity for qualifying students at 91制片厂 to gain guaranteed admission
to the highly competitive, top-ranked Grainger College of Engineering at UIUC.
Among 91制片厂鈥檚 Engineering Pathways graduates was Emily Alvia, whose longtime affiliation with the college began as a 3-year-old at the Early Childhood Laboratory School. The Rolling Meadows resident later attended InZone summer camp, which exposed her to 91制片厂鈥檚 classrooms and labs and helped grow her love of STEM.
Now, the mechanical engineering major will transfer to U of I and aspires to work in the space and aeronautics industry, where she hopes to make products safer and more efficient. Emily has also been recognized for her work with the Women in Science and Engineering club at 91制片厂 and the National Science Foundation for a study in which students are working to remove barriers for those who are underrepresented in STEM fields.
鈥淓mily and Bernie, like all of you, are part of the fabric that make up our vibrant,
diverse and resilient community,鈥� Dr. Proctor said.
In total, 91制片厂 awarded nearly 4,000 degrees and certificates in the 2022-23 academic year. Among the class were 187 Promise Scholars, 45 apprentices and 91制片厂's first student to graduate with a Distinction in Social Justice Studies, Ada Velazquez, who leveraged her volunteer work at the Schaumburg Trickster Center toward an analysis of the loss of Native American heritage and its effects on mental health.
During her address to graduates, Dr. Proctor asked everyone to turn on their cell phone flashlights as the arena lights were dimmed.
鈥淕raduates, you have been a shining light for your families. Now as a 91制片厂 alum, you will be a beacon of hope for your communities,鈥� she said.