Kankakee Community CollegeCommencement

Virtual event premiere: May 15, 2020

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Commencement Program

Welcome ................................................................................................... Dr. Michael Boyd President Kankakee Community College

Introduction of Faculty Union President ........................................................... Michael Boyd

Remarks on Behalf of Faculty ..................................................................... Steve DePasquale Faculty Association President Kankakee Community College

Introduction of Speaker ................................................................................... Michael Boyd

Commencement Address .................................................................................J. Imani Drew Associate Judge 21st Judicial Circuit

Presentation of the Class of 2020 ..................................................................... Michael Boyd

Conferring of Degreees and Certificates .......................................................... Patrick Martin Chairperson Kankakee Community College, Board of Trustees

Recognition of Commencement (moving tassel)...........................................Daisy SolorzanoStudent Representative

Kankakee Community College Board of Trustees

Reading of Graduates’ Names......................................Dr. David Naze and Dr. Jose da Silva Vice President, Academic Affairs, and Vice President, Student Affairs Kankakee Community College

Closing ............................................................................................................ Michael Boyd

Share your photos, thoughts and best wishes!

#kccgrad2020

On the cover: (top row, left to right): Raeven I. Carroll, A.A.; James Joseph Langer II, A.A.; Daisy Stephanie Solorzano, A.A.; (bottom row, left to right) Cole J. Giroux, A.A.; Amy Lee Tiburtini, A.A.S.; Colin Bruce Corriveau, A.A.S. and Advanced Certificate.

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Judge J. Imani DrewThe Honorable J. Imani Drew is presiding judge of the Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court of Kankakee County. She was appointed an associate judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit in 2016. Judge Drew represents the Third Judicial District as a member of the Illinois Judicial Conference.

Through the efforts of Drew, the Kankakee County Juvenile Court is nationally recognized as an Implementation Sites Project through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funding and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Drew has a juris doctor degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University. She is licensed to practice law in Illinois and before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Drew began her legal career in Kankakee County in 1982 at Prairie State Legal Services. She also worked as a prosecutor in the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office in roles including civil division chief and chief of the sex crimes division; for the city of Kankakee as a municipal law attorney; and for the Illinois Attorney General as a consumer law attorney. Prior to becoming a judge, Drew was chief of the Juvenile Division for the Kankakee Public Defender’s Office.

Before and after taking the bench, Drew taught as an adjunct professor for KCC’s Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies Program. She also is an advisory committee member for the program.

Drew serves on the board of directors of the Illinois Judges Association and the National Bar Association Judicial Council, and is a member of the Illinois Judicial Council. Locally, Drew is chair of the Kankakee County Child Welfare Team, and serves on the Kankakee County Teen Court program board. She previously served as a board member of both the YMCA and Garden of Prayer Youth Center.

Drew has received numerous awards including honorary membership in KCC’s chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi, the national honor society in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies; the McCormick Foundation Executive Fellows program; President’s Award of the Kankakee County Chapter of the NAACP; Zonta Club of Kankakee Woman of Achievement Award; and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

Drew is the mother of twins, a son and daughter, and has one grandson.

Commencement Speaker

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Helen Streicher, Developmental English/English professor Helen Streicher has been teaching devel-opmental reading and writing courses at KCC since 2000. More recently, Professor Streicher has added English I and English II to her responsibilities. Streicher’s leadership and expertise in developmental education has

proved invaluable in the redesign of developmental reading and writing coursework to better meet the needs of KCC’s students. On multiple occasions, she has been the recipient of the TRIO Student Support Services Award, which honors those who make a significant and positive impact on academic success. Streicher has also served on numerous college committees throughout her tenure. Colleagues and students alike describe Streicher as genuine, kind, caring, and giving of her knowledge and time. In her teaching philosophy, she notes the importance of equity in education. She said, “I’ve been humbled by this work and have always been aware of the importance of obtaining and keeping equity in the classroom, opening doors for students along the way.”

Pete Schiel, Adjunct Professor, Electrical Engineering TechnologyPete Schiel graduated from KCC with an A.A.S. in electronics technology in 1987. He graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a B.S. in electrical engi-neering technology in 1990, and is currently completing an M.S. in green building from

the San Francisco Institute of Architecture. Having taught at KCC for over 28 years, Schiel continues to share his incredible talent, experience, and wealth of knowledge with his students. As an industry leader, Schiel conveys the importance of work ethic and dedication to accomplish one’s goals. His unique ability to clearly communicate challenging course concepts is appreciated by the students he instructs. They describe his courses as challenging, rewarding, and fun!

Outstanding Faculty Award recipientsEach year, KCC gives the Outstanding Faculty Award to one full-time and one part-time faculty member. The award recognizes excellence in teaching, knowledge of their discipline, innovative teaching techniques as well as skills in motivation and encouragement. They are selected after being nominated by KCC students and staff.

The recipients receive an award medallion and framed certificate, as well as a spot on the KCC Wall of Honor. Previous Outstanding Faculty Award recipients wear a commemorative medallion at commencement ceremonies. The medallions are solid brass, and are embossed with “Kankakee Community College Est. 1966 – Outstanding Faculty Member.” The lamp of knowledge represents the quest for information or learning.

KCC faculty recipients are also nominated for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association Faculty Member Awards, which recognize the high achievements of Illinois’ full- and part-time community college instructors.

Recognition of Achievements and Milestones

All-Illinois Academic TeamNominated for the All-USA Academic TeamThese students are members of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges. They have been selected for the All-Illinois Academic Team, a special recognition based on outstanding academic performance and service to the college and community. Each two-year college in Illinois may nominate two students per campus. As members of the All-Illinois Academic Team, they also are nominated for the All-USA Academic Team.

Lydia Salgado• U.S. Navy Veteran• Mother of three• Included on KCC President’s List • Currently a registered respiratory therapist at Carle Hospital in Urbana• Also serves as a Hospital Corpsman in U.S. Navy Reserve

Ralph Sansone• Volunteer teacher’s aide at Bradley West Elementary• Dedicated father and student• Included on KCC President’s List • KCC TRIO Student Support Services member• Transferring to Governors State University to study elementary education

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John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award recipient

Established in 2009, the John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award is named for long-time KCC Alumni Association member John Fulton of Herscher. Fulton is a 1977 graduate of KCC, and earned two associate degrees, in business and general studies.

As a decorated Vietnam War hero, a tireless advocate for veterans affairs, and for people with disabilities, a farmer, and friend, Fulton is a source of pride and inspiration for all of us at KCC.

Following Fulton’s receipt of the KCC Foundation’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009, the KCC Foundation Board voted unanimously to rename the recognition “The John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award.” The Distinguished Alumni Award will be given at a reception in November.

In addition, the KCC Distinguished Alumni Award recipient is nominated for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, which recognizes the success of Illinois’ community college graduates. Among other criteria, the nominees are selected based on outstanding success and distinction in their chosen field, service, support of education and community colleges and overcoming life’s obstacles.

Dr. Vicki Gardner The Kankakee Community College Alumni Association commends Dr. Vicki Gardner on being selected as the recipient of the John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award. Gardner’s career at KCC has spanned more than 35 years. As vice president for finance and administration since 2001, she oversees

college operations including finance, human resources, institutional technology, police and security, physical plant, and environmental and institutional sustainability.

Gardner is the past president of the Illinois Community College Chief Financial Officers and a member of the Illinois Community College Board Finance Advisory Committee. She serves on the board of the Kankakee County Training Center for the Disabled Foundation, and is president of her church’s Parish Council and finance committee. She is a past president of the United Way of Kankakee County Board.

After earning an Associate in Applied Science degree from KCC, she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s of business administration degree from Olivet Nazarene University. Gardner has also earned a doctorate in community college leadership from Ferris State University.

As one who embodies the idea of KCC graduates as positive role models, Gardner continues to work hard to attain professional success, while inspiring others to give back to their community. She is a leader, a mentor, a role model and we are pleased to recognize her as the 2020 John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni.

John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni Award

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Associate in ArtsJayden Taylor Anderson Nicholas Donald AndersonCourtney M. BakerJamie Diane Banks Jose T. BatanaKathryn Nancy BellNancy Crystal BenitezErica Lynn BillingtonKaylee Elizabeth BillingtonAlexxis Richelle BirchTasha Nikole BlanchetteKaitlin Nicole BowersVeronica Rose Breach Kyla Maria BrychtaChanika L. Bynum Trenna Marie Carriker-VanVleckRaeven I. CarrollBrandi Michelle CastilloLauren Marie ChouinardTiffany ChouinardMichaiah Michelle ClarkTira Lee ClementRyan Michael Coffman Jonte T. ColemanKayla LeAnne Marie CoxHannah Alexis DavisKatelyn Jane DavisZachary R. DavisBlake Andrew DeneauDaniel James DevineNoah P. DietchweilerAlexandra Marie DubravecJacob M. DuffyAshley N. EmerySamantha J. FabbroYolanda Marie FerreiraSamantha Daniel FiersteinBreanna Casey FranklinStephanie C. GardnerCole J. Giroux Eric S. Godines VenegasAntonia Marie GuajardoAllison R. HerrIsabelle Lynn HilleHaley IrelandChristopher Allen JamesGabrielle KellerJackson KempenPayton Renee KernessScott Joseph Kidd ★

Gabriel Robert KingSydney Alise KlonowskiColton J. KurtzJames Joseph Langer IIMattison Julie LanieNicholas H. Laxner Nolan Andrew LebamoffLanden Michael LeDukeLeah Marie Lemenager Brittany Anne LickaRokeshia Luvenia Lillard Kloe Ryanne Longtin ★Dominique Alexandria MacLeanKoria A. ManningMcKinley Anne Kathleen MarcotteJordan MartinecNicole Marie MartinezJakayla Taray McCullor Isabella Maria Menigoz Molly Ann MickelsonKoltan Matthew MooreJohana Marie MorrisDerotha A. NeallyKatelyn E. NorderTali Raquel NordonAvery Grace NorwickSara Lynn Ojeda-DominguezJessica Orozco-ZavalaJustin Paul PanozzoEmily Ruth PhelpsChelsey M. PizanoStefanie Leanne PizanoDejah PurnellMireya Esperanza RamirezVictoria Elizabeth Patricia RamirezKatharine R. RaspolichJacob T. ReillyKathleen Marie RichardsAshley Nicole RinerAmanda J. RoyRalph Anthony SansoneHeidi Elizabeth SchmidtEmma Marie SchrinerTheresa Kay SchroederMcCall Rose Schunke ★Andrew Kenneth SeydenTamara Simone ShortNatalia Angelica Silva ★Pedro A. SolisDaisy Stephanie SolorzanoEmily SticeElizabeth Marie Strand

Veronica TanzieHanna Marie TeneyucaNicholas S. ThorsonBrennah E. TownsendAmanda Marie TromplerZowie Rae-Ann TrudeauMegan Michelle TrumannNathan Anthony VargoGabrielle Lynn WagnerGrace Frances WahlenMaurice Dontel WalkerKaitlynne E. WeidnerGrace Elizabeth WepprechtAshlee Ann WesselhoffSierra Jean WilliamsNathan Robert WilsonSadee Breeze Wuethrich

Associate in Engineering ScienceEthan David Fritz

Associate in General StudiesNicolas Solorro AndradeLamonte L. BuchananAmber C. CarufelOlivia Rachel DivitAubrey Nicole DurdanShaina Brenae FalknerAshley Nicole HarwoodTanajah Jonyea HillAndrew David JohnstonTenisha J. LeeRokeshia Luvenia Lillard Carissa S. LundmarkGenevieve Margaret MarionAmanda Marie NedzaJodeen Ava OsbourneDoris OwensArriyonn Dajanay PhillipsOlivia Jaydyne PowellCourtney Lynne Reno

Degree Candidates

Key: ★ 4.0 GPA Phi Theta Kappa

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Aurora RiveraAidan Luke StringerStacey Lea SwindellsConstance Michaela TaylorAmanda Jane TravisDeja Lynn Walker Taunia Maria Williams

Associate in ScienceAustin Joseph BakerFarida Suad BaouabJoel Esteban BarajasKane Jason BatemanOwen R. BehrensEvin L. ChwaszczewskiLuke Matthew Cross Hoai Thanh Do ★Hayley Renee EasterMadalin Grace EvansPreston Mason FillmoreGiovanny GarciaAubree Rose HaydenJaret Alan HumphreyAustin Tod JacobsonNathaniel Stephen JamesAnthony Ryan KorandaJeremy LoveAshlyn E. Lynch Michael Joseph MachnicMatthew J. McCue Lars Christian MenigozKatelyn Diana NortonFaith Elizabeth QuigleyVanessa RamirezMolly Elizabeth SaindonAndrew Jack SalibaAndjela Spasojevic

Samuel Michael SpeiserAlec Michael Wallace Catherine Ahern WalshAlisha Nichole WrightJose Oscar Zamora

Associate in Applied ScienceAgri-Hort TechnologyReily Briann Kane

Air Conditioning & RefrigerationHunter David-Paul CousinSteven McDaniels

Automotive TechnologyJeanette Calderon-MunozCody William JonesMiguel Angel Quintino

BusinessMegan Jennifer CarrilloNicholas Dorman Goodrich Lee Adam LaMontagneMichael E. Layhew IIBrandt Alan NottkeBritney J. PelletierDaniel John SnyderChelsea Elizabeth Nicole StanleyCole Thomas TaylorAriana B. Thomas

Child Development–Director/ Administrator OptionLinda Marie BarkerKatelin Marie CoulthardMelanie Marie Koziol

Child Development– Education OptionBrianna Jean DouglasCarly LebeauRebecca Denise RogersHaley Jo St. Germain

Computer Graphic TechnologyJonathan Todd DavisDevon Ann PangleKatharine R. RaspolichNicholas Ryan RedmondEthan Shaun Welch

Construction ManagementJames A. Ferris

Electrical Engineering TechnologyJesus AndradeJason Lee BlanchetteChase Daniel CappellanoRyan HodgesMichael Evins Kettley ★Cody E. KinstnerDominic PusateriNolan E. WilsonJakob M. Zirbel

Law EnforcementAlannah Lynn AnkerRebecca A. BelandJesus CarmonaCameron Mitchell DeVriesJames Luis JohanekClayton Neal RitterJohn C. Shivers �Kobe Michael SuprenantNicholas P. Vasilopulos

Manufacturing TechnologyQuinnton Marcus Becker IWade James BrychtaWilliam D. McDowell

Medical Laboratory TechnologyStacy Lee ChandlerValerie Nicole CounsilAndrea Nicole FuentesSteven J. FuentesMichael KealyMichelle Rae MuysenbergCassandre Lynn NelsonKerri Ann SkilesMatthew Austin SmolaEmma F. StofkoClaire B. TangJamie Lynn Thompson

Key: ★ 4.0 GPA Phi Theta Kappa

� SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

Cole Thomas Taylor, A.A.S. Alisha Wright, A.A.

Degree Candidates

Nursing–RegisteredAmanda Marie ArmoldCallie Wanda Sue BeaupreDustin Joseph Blaylock + �Sidney BradleyJacob James BrunerTyler Jon BurgessClara Anne Capriotti +Christina Renee Charlier Sarai CurielCenteria Symone CurryAlexis Lee Eighnor-Walters +Leslie Maria GaytanRachel Rose Goodberlet +Emma Jaine Goudreau Gabriella Raven Griffith +Meghann Joesphine Heck +Lauran Katherine Hickson +Joseph David HudikBlair R. Huffman Ryan Edward JensenJorie LeighAnn JohnsonCarly Rebecca Johnston +Anna Elise KerrinsBrianna Nicole Koskinas +Carley Noelle KuntzmanBrittany Marie LaFondColin Gage LamieLaura Lebda +Alison K. LongAndrea Gabriella MarquezRiahna Marie McLeanShelby Lynn MeadowsMaxwell Paul MemengaAdilene MendozaIvon V. MercadoKatelyn Ann O’DellMaris Rose Olson +Katelyn PapineauLaura PerezMakayla Evelyn PetersMakenzie Lynne QuickAustin M. RenshawChelsee Jean Roberts Alexandra Ann Roling +Cristian A. SalazarArturo SaldivarErin SmithRyan Scott SmothersJocelyn A. StewartQuanetta T. StewartAmy Lee Tiburtini ★+Joy UsenMegan Kay VanVoorst

Office ProfessionalTabatha L. BussJennifer M. ClevengerAmber Dawn Reed

Paralegal/Legal Assistant StudiesEmily Jean Margewich

ParamedicRyan D. Bell

Paraprofessional Educator/ Teacher’s AideJasmine Marie GomezRachel E. Sumner

Physical Therapist AssistantNicole Ashley BeutlerErin Lynne CorriveauKelly Anna EhmenKatelyn Elaine HarderJason W. HawnMadelene Doreen LewisSharon Louise MarbethAraceli MárezSpencer A. OlsonHailey E. OsbornHalie Jo PawSavannah R. RenoJanine Anne RojoKayelyn M. SlagerJenna B. Wille

RadiographyBrenda Colin BarronLori L. DombrowskiJordan T. EmlingKalyn Rachel HinesCarissa Ann LabriolaLili Anna MartinAllison Rose MendellSean T. NelsonJessica Louise Varney Brett Anne Walter

Respiratory TherapistMegan Lynn BeedingMegan L. BisaillonVeronica Campos-PerezKristina Marie FlutkaJason P. HouserKassie Marie KaackKaylee Lynn LynchTanner Andrew PaethKaitlyn Marie PudwellLeChelle Chantal RobinsonLydia Anne SalgadoAshley Marie Reynolds

Welding TechnologyMichael C. BiedronColin Bruce Corriveau

Degree Candidates

Eric S. Godines Venegas, A.A

McKinley Marcotte, A.A.

Key: ★ 4.0 GPA Phi Theta Kappa+ Nursing Honor Society

� SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

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Automotive TechnologyJeanette Calderon-MunozCody William Jones

Child Development-EducationCarly LebeauRebecca Denise RogersHaley Jo St. Germain

Coding SpecialistRebecca N. Apking ★Christine A. DufrainHannah M. GalenMaKaila Shay GullquistAlyssa M. LeganZachary Arthur LewellenPaula June McCarthy ★Derrick D. MinorJennifer Alta NovorytaAnahi Ramirez

Construction ManagementJames A. Ferris

Electrical Engineering TechnologyMichael Evins Kettley ★Mario A. MelgozaDominic PusateriNolan E. Wilson

EMT-ParamedicJoshua Ryan Polega ★

General Ed Core CredentialJayden Taylor Anderson

HVAC/R ServiceJared K. MoritzDylan T. Short

IL Gateways Level 4 CredentialKatelin Marie Coulthard

Instrumentation & Process ControlChase Daniel CappellanoCody E. KinstnerJakob M. Zirbel

Law EnforcementAlannah Lynn AnkerCameron Mitchell DeVriesJames A. FerrisJames L. JohanekNicholas P. Vasilopulos

Manufacturing Industrial Maintenance IIQuinnton Marcus Becker IWade James BrychtaWilliam D. McDowell

MillwrightJames A. Morrison

Office AssistantTabatha L. BussJennifer M. ClevengerAmber Dawn Reed

Paralegal/Legal Assistant StudiesMarsha J. Easter

Practical NursingMarianna Bea Louise CraigheadAlyssa Louise ClocksinCarleigh Danielle EngelmanLaura Elizabeth HolohanMartha Jayne KennedyRenee M. NichollsJamie PalmerCarmela Pena Zavala

Welding TechnologyColin Bruce Corriveau

Advanced Certificate Candidates

Key: ★ 4.0 GPA LEX Honor Society (Paralegal) Phi Theta Kappa

Nicole Marie Martinez, A.A. Cameron DeVries, A,A.S. andAdvanced Certificate

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KCC HistoryKankakee Community College was organized in October 1966 by a group of citizens concerned with providing a post-second-ary educational resource for the people of the Kankakee area. The first college classes began on Sept. 23, 1968. Since that date, it has served as an educational, vocational, and recreational center for residents of Community College District 520, an area encompassing all or part of Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Grundy, Livingston, and Will counties and serving a population of approx-imately 150,000.

From its beginnings in a rented room in the Kankakee Hotel, KCC has grown to an accredited educational institution offering associate degrees and certificates of completion in more than 45 disciplines. In addition, numerous continuing education courses are offered to area residents each semester.

The Adult and Community Education Department offers adult ba-sic education and high school equivalency preparation for adults wanting to complete their secondary education. It also offers English classes for non-English-speaking students.

KCC plays a key role in workforce development within the college district. The Office of Continuing Education and Career Services offers seminars and customized training to the business communi-ty, as well as a wide variety of personal enrichment courses.

The original faculty team of 13 instructors has grown to more than 200 full- and part-time instructors. KCC has had seven pres-idents: Dr. Robert Zimmer, Dr. John Samlin, Dr. L.H. Horton Jr., Dr. Larry Huffman, Dr. Jerry Weber, Dr. John Avendano and Dr. Michael Boyd. Boyd has been president since July 1, 2019.

College BuildingsThe college completed Phase I of its permanent facility in 1972 and Phase II in 1973. Phase I and II, which include the three-sto-ry main building and two-story Technology Building, house more than 60 classrooms and laboratories, the College Center, cafete-ria, auditorium and administrative offices. The George H. Ryan Activities Center for athletic and recreational programs opened in the fall of 1988. A renovation is currently underway in the build-ing to transform the Harold and Jean Miner Memorial Library into a Student Success Center with an emphasis on collaboration, technology and learning.

In spring 1993, the one-story Prairie Building opened, connecting the Technology Building to the main building, and a three-story addition was added to the east wing of the main building. Eight classrooms were added, and the construction project also ex-panded the College Center, food service facilities, and bookstore.

A Workforce Development Center covering 49,900 square feet was completed in 2004. The building features a Welcome Center and conference hall. It also has additional conference/meeting rooms, classrooms for credit courses, rooms for corporate train-ing, and faculty offices.

In January 2007, the 41,000 square foot Arts & Sciences Building opened on northwest end of the Riverfront Campus. This building has science facilities and houses art programs as well.

The newest college building is the Advanced Technology Educa-tion Center, which opened for the Spring 2019 semester. It houses KCC’s award-winning Electrical Engineering Technology program. The 21,000 square foot building includes classrooms, labs, offices, and support spaces to provide hands-on technical training in fields such as wind generation, solar thermal, solar photo-voltaic sys-tems, and electrical (National Electric Code NEC) instruction. The building has earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Gold certification.

The Harold and Jean Miner South Extension Center in Watseka opened in June of 2013. It replaced a satellite center which had been open since 2002. The Manufacturing & Industrial Technolo-gy Center on Route 45/52 near the Riverfront Campus opened in January 2014. The facility houses several technology programs.

KCC opened a North Extension Center—the first LEED Gold Building in Kankakee County—on Kinzie Avenue in Bradley in Spring 2014. It has the Kankakee Workforce Services/Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act program, high school equivalency and adult education classes, and a variety of credit classes.

Athletic SuccessesThe Cavaliers athletics teams have enjoyed tremendous success beginning with the baseball teams’ first trip to the national tour-nament in 1974, where they finished ninth. Since then, the wom-en’s basketball team earned a national championship in 1995, and has been runner-up four times. Women’s softball earned a national championship in 2015, and was the runner-up in 2010. The baseball team won the national championship in 2017. Two other teams have been national runner-up: men’s basketball and volleyball. In all, KCC teams have won 83 region championships, and have played in 71 national tournaments. Numerous student athletes have been recognized by the NJCAA as All-Americans and for academic achievement.

The 1994-95 women’s basketball team was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in December 2013. Two coaches are in the NJCAA Hall of Fame: Dennis Clark, softball, 1983-2017; and Denny Lehnus, men’s basketball, 1974-1993.

Bright FutureKCC continues to expand, adapt and seek ways to follow its mission, Enhancing quality of life through learning.

Each year, hundreds of new alumni join more than 14,000 previous graduates who live and work in this area and throughout the U.S. KCC’s alumni include a judge, several mayors, a bank president, a NASA engineer, an Emmy-award-winning stunt coordinator, lawyers, doctors, business leaders, principals, teachers, coaches, artists, police officers, welders, machinists, electricians, health care professionals and many others.

KCC celebrates the successes of these alumni as well as all those who have entrusted the college to be a part of their education. You are the economic engine for this area!

KCC Board of Trustees

Patrick D. Martin, ChairpersonManteno

Bradley W. Hove, Vice ChairpersonBourbonnais

Todd A. Widholm, SecretaryClifton

Cathy BoickenBourbonnais

Richard J. FreyKankakee

Jerald W. HoekstraSt. Anne

William OrrReddick

Daisy Solorzano, Student RepresentativeWaseka

Claire Chaplinski, Legal CounselKankakee

Betty L. Meents, Trustee EmeritusWatseka

Hugh E. Van Voorst, Trustee EmeritusUnion Hill

The following 11 KCC employees are being honored today for their commitment to the success of the college and for providing the best possible service to KCC’s students each semester. Please join the rest of the KCC community in honoring the following retirees from June 2019 – June 2020.

Barbara Loudy Miner Memorial LibraryKCC employment dates: Oct. 3, 1977 - June 30, 2019

Liz East Adult & Community Education KCC employment dates: Aug. 4, 2008 - June 30, 2019

Brian Yeoman Physical Plant Department KCC employment dates: Feb. 19, 1974 - Nov. 30, 2019

Delithia Love TRIO Student Support Services KCC employment dates: Jan. 2, 1995 - Dec. 31, 2019

Cathleen Hughes Math, Science and Engineering DivisionKCC employment dates: Jan. 5, 2009 - Dec. 31, 2019

Brenda Newman Financial Aid Department KCC employment dates: Nov. 29, 1999 - Feb. 29, 2020

Karen Becker Miner Memorial Library KCC employment dates: Nov. 14, 2006 - April 30, 2020

Judy Spence Enrollment Services KCC employment dates: July 18, 1994 - April 30, 2020

Sheila Pfaff Humanities and Social Sciences Division KCC employment dates: May 28, 1985 - May 31, 2020

Jane Clark Human Resources KCC employment dates: Aug. 20, 2001 - June 30, 2020

Dr. Vicki Gardner Business Affairs and Human Resources KCC employment dates: Sept. 22, 1981 - June 30, 2020

Retiring KCC Employees

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Ceremonial Insignia

MaceKCC’s ceremonial mace is carried at the front of the academic procession at commencement. The mace demonstrates the official authority of the proceedings. Historically, the use of a mace dates back to the middle ages as a symbol of power and influence.

KCC’s mace was hand-turned and took 20 hours to construct. It is made of black walnut, and stands at more than 3 feet long. The bronze laurel leaves encompass a medallion bearing the college’s name and logo. The mace and its stand were custom- designed and handcrafted by artisan Richard Condon in 2015.

President’s MedallionThe official President’s Medallion is regarded as part of the permanent insignia of the college, along with the academic mace. The chain represents the trust and authority invested in the president by the board of trustees. The chain is placed on the neck of the new president when he or she is installed in office. It is worn by the president along with other academic regalia at official celebrations, such as inaugurations and commencement.

KCC’s President’s Medallion features the college name, seal and official shades of red and blue. It is cast in bronze and measures 3.5 inches in diameter. The medallion is anchored by an ornamental chain, with links separated by a plate with the word President. As a permanent insignia of office, the President’s Medallion is passed to each succeeding president of the college.

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Significance of Commencement Apparel

Academic dress is a colorful and impressive feature of a college commencement. A rich tradition reaching back to scholastic life in 14th century England has established the use of distinctive gowns and hoods in academic ceremonies. A person holding a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree wears academic dress appropriate to his/her highest degree.

Associate Degree—Gown is black with pointed sleeves, mortarboard cap is standard, tassel is in school colors, gold honor cord and tassel signify 4.0 (A) scholastic achievement, and silver honor cord and tassel signify 3.80 to 3.99 scholastic achievement. Purple honor cord signifies membership in Lambda Epsilon Chi National Honor Society in Paralegal/Le-gal Assistant Studies. Gold stole and tassel signify membership in Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Peach honor cord signifies membership in the Alpha Delta Nu-ETA Chapter of the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing.

Bachelor’s Degree—Gown is black with pointed sleeves, open wide at the end. Mortarboard cap is standard. Tassel is black or colors of major field of study. The hood is 3 feet in length and hood trim is 2 inches wide.

Master’s Degree—Gown is black and has a closed sleeve with a tail that hangs down from the base of the sleeve. The rear part of the oblong tail is cut square while the front has an arc cut away. Mortarboard cap is standard. Tassel is black or colors of major field of study. The hood is 3½ feet in length and hood trim is 3 inches wide.

Doctoral Degree—Gown is black with bell-shaped sleeves with three velvet stripes. Instead of a mortarboard, the cap is a tam-o’-shanter. Tassel is black or gold. The hood is 4 feet in length and hood trim is 5 inches wide.

The hoods for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees are trimmed and lined with a satin fabric in the official color of the institution that granted the degree. The trim color on the hood, by contrast, is distinct to the subject of the degree,

with associated colors listed here.

Agriculture ............................................................... Maize

Arts, Letters, Humanities .......................................... White

Commerce, Accountancy, Business ............................Drab

Dentistry .....................................................................Lilac

Economics .............................................................. Copper

Education ........................................................... Light blue

Engineering ............................................................ Orange

Fine Arts, including Architecture ..............................Brown

Forestry ....................................................................Russet

Journalism .............................................................Crimson

Law ..........................................................................Purple

Library Science ....................................................... Lemon

Medicine .................................................................. Green

Music .......................................................................... Pink

Nursing .................................................................. Apricot

Oratory (speech) ................................................Silver gray

Pharmacy .........................................................Olive green

Philosophy ......................................................... Dark Blue

Physical Education ............................................Sage green

Public Administration, including Foreign Service Peacock blue

Public Health ..................................................Salmon pink

Science ........................................................Golden yellow

Social Work ..............................................................Citron

Theology ................................................................. Scarlet

Veterinary Science ..................................................... Gray

This program is not official documentation of graduation. Due to rigid time requirements, it must be prepared before the final list of degree candidates can be determined.

The exclusion of the name of a student is not to be taken as indication of his/her official status as a non-graduate nor is the inclusion of the name of a student to be taken as certification of his/her official status as a graduate.

Although our virtual ceremony has limited regalia, we are sharing it here to celebrate the traditions we hope to return to soon.

This program is not official documentation of graduation. Due to rigid time requirements, it must be printed before the final list of degree candidates can be determined. The exclusion of the name of a student is not to be taken as indication of his/her official status as a

non-graduate nor is the inclusion of the name of a student to be taken as certification of his/her official status as a graduate.

KCC does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age in its programs or activities. Please direct inquiries to the Title IX coordinator, Section 504 coordinator or Affirmative

Action Officer, 815-802-8510 or email jdasilva@kcc.edu. Please visit www.kcc.edu/disclosures for more information.

www.kcc.edu

Antonia Guajardo, A.A.