91制片厂

91制片厂 celebrates Class of 2026 and the power of beginning again

91制片厂 proudly celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its 58th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 15 at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates. 

About 800 graduates gathered with family, friends, faculty and staff to commemorate the degrees and certificates they earned during the 2025-26 academic year. Dr. Avis Proctor, 91制片厂 president, opened the ceremony by recognizing the perseverance, purpose and individuality that define 91制片厂 students. 

鈥淵ou are more than graduates adorned in caps and gowns; you are bold navigators who have charted your own unique paths,鈥� Dr. Proctor told graduates. 鈥淓very degree and certificate earned today tells a story of determination, a testament to your courage to pursue your dreams.鈥� 

In a moving moment of collective celebration, Dr. Proctor invited graduates to turn on their cell phone flashlights and hold them high as the arena lights dimmed. 

鈥淟ook around. Graduates, this is the light you carry forward,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou have been a shining light for your families, and as 91制片厂 alumni, you will serve as beacons of hope in your communities as you venture into your next steps and help change the world.鈥� 

Dr. Proctor also celebrated graduates from two distinctive 91制片厂 programs: those earning their Illinois High School Diploma and those completing 91制片厂鈥檚 Career Skills Institute, a two-year postsecondary certificate program for young adults with differing abilities. She recognized both groups for their perseverance, hard work and commitment to making meaningful contributions to their communities. 

This year鈥檚 graduating class represented 25 countries, five states and 116 communities. Graduates ranged in age from 16 to 73. The Class of 2026 also included 1,072 first-generation college students, 297 Promise Scholars, 99 Ignite Scholars, 44 apprentices, 67 student veterans and military-connected graduates, nine Global Scholars, 12 Social Justice Scholars and seven All-American athletes. Graduates also broadened their horizons through study abroad experiences in countries including Austria, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Korea and Spain. 

The Class of 2026 included a mother and daughter whose 91制片厂 journeys became intertwined. Kaylin Prouza, 19, of Hanover Park, earned her Associate in Arts degree and will transfer to North Central College to study communications with a minor in marketing. A 91制片厂 Promise student, Kaylin worked as a student aide in Marketing Services, where she contributed creative ideas to the college鈥檚 social media accounts. She also supported social media efforts for 91制片厂鈥檚 Photo Club, Triple H Dance Club and Business Club, and participated in the 鈥淗awk Tank鈥� competition. 

Kaylin credits Harper with helping her gain confidence, stand out and find her path in a supportive, community-focused environment. Her experience also helped inspire her mother, Erika Prouza, to return to 91制片厂 more than 30 years after she first attended the college. 

Erika, a student supervisor at Hoffman Estates High School, accompanied Kaylin to an advising appointment last year and learned she was just 10 credits short of completing her degree. Encouraged by Kaylin 鈥� who Erika said 鈥渇orced her out of her shell鈥� 鈥� she returned to 91制片厂 and completed her Associate in General Studies. 

Mother and daughter even shared part of their 91制片厂 experience, taking ceramics at the same time and working side by side in the studio. For Erika, finishing her degree opened new career possibilities and renewed confidence in her skills. 

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think this would ever happen,鈥� Erika said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 even on my radar a year ago.鈥� 

Their story echoed a central message of the ceremony: that education does not always follow a straight line, and it is never too late to begin again. 

The Commencement address was delivered by Marc Klemencic, a 2002 91制片厂 graduate and 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Klemencic, vice president of talent management at AAR CORP., reflected on his own winding educational journey and reminded graduates that life does not follow a universal timeline. 

After initially enrolling at 91制片厂 after high school, Klemencic stepped away from college for more than five years before returning with renewed purpose. He later completed his Associate in Applied Science in Supervisory and Administrative Management at 91制片厂 before earning bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees from Roosevelt University. 

鈥淭iming matters, but responsibility matters more,鈥� Klemencic told graduates. 鈥淵our life is not late. It is not early. It is not behind. It is unfolding on time for you.鈥� 

Klemencic encouraged graduates to move forward with intention, patience and confidence, reminding them that success is built through consistent choices over time. He also emphasized the importance of using one鈥檚 time to lift others through listening, encouragement and mentorship. 

鈥淟eadership is not about how fast you climb, but how many people you help along the way,鈥� he said. 鈥淵our impact won鈥檛 be measured only by titles or paychecks, but by how people felt after spending time with you.鈥� 

He closed with a message that captured the spirit of the day. 

鈥淭oday is not the end of your story,鈥� Klemencic said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a timestamp 鈥� proof that you showed up, stayed the course, and grew. So step forward with confidence. Move at your own pace. Honor your time and the time of others. And when life feels uncertain, remember this: you already know how to begin again.鈥�