University of Illinois Springfield

50th Annual Commencement Saturday, May 15, 2021 Greetings

Donald J. Edwards Chairman, University of Illinois Board of Trustees

On behalf of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, and as a proud alumnus of the U of I System, I am honored to bring greetings and congratulations to the Class of 2021! You have been through so much to reach today’s milestone, juggling your studies with the historic challenges of a global pandemic. In the process, you have done even more than achieve your dreams. You have also helped make our universities among the safest in our nation – a model for our peers – and I am deeply grateful for your understanding, your cooperation and your sacrifice. Although it has been a few years since I was in the seat you are in today, I still remember the mix of excitement and anxiety I felt, not knowing exactly what the future might hold. That feeling is understandable. But rest assured that the world-class education you received here, in and out of the classroom, has given you the foundation to succeed and flourish. As you head off to make your mark on the world, know you carry a bond that forever connects you to your years on this remarkable campus. You are joining one of the world’s largest alumni networks – nearly 800,000 strong from across the U of I System’s three, best-in-class universities. As our alumni have since our founding over 150 years ago, I hope you will carry our flag with pride. Your successes will carry us forward, adding to our global reputation for excellence and attracting the new generations of students who want to follow in your footsteps. I hope you will come back to campus often – to share your achievements, your experiences and your insights. And as you are out there changing and improving society, the entire world over, know that all of us you have left behind will be working for you, ensuring that the value and prestige of the degree you worked so hard to earn continues to grow. Congratulations again, Class of 2021!

Dr. Timothy L. Killeen President, University of Illinois

Congratulations, Class of 2021! College years are always a lifetime memory. But yours are literally historic, a time that your children, grandchildren and great-grand- children will learn about during their own educational journeys. You earned your degrees amid the worst pandemic in a century, and the myriad worries, stresses and restrictions it created. A bulk of classes moved online. Attending in-person classes added COVID-19 testing to your weekly schedules. Traditional campus activities were limited, even simple pleasures like time with friends. Still, you achieved your dreams, and so much more. You also helped make the University of Illinois System a model for the nation as our three campuses remained safe and many classrooms remained open this year while peer universities struggled. It is a success story that made headlines across the country, thanks to a pioneering homegrown testing protocol and your understanding, cooperation, resilience, selflessness and sacrifice. Those same qualities will also carry you far in the next chapter of your life that begins tomorrow. And, coupled with the talents and civic-minded spirit you nurtured here at UIS, you are primed to flourish. But first things first. Take some time today to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished and the tremendous milestone you have reached. There are a small handful of days in life that you will never forget. From my own experience and the beaming faces I have seen at nearly 40 years of commencements, I can tell you that your graduation is one of them. So I hope you savor every minute of it. Congratulations again, Class of 2021! It is an honor to celebrate you, joined by the proud family and friends who have supported you along the way. I hope the lessons you learned exceed the high expectations that brought you here and guide you to the future you imagined. Enjoy your day and come back often.

Dr. Karen M.Whitney Interim Chancellor, University of Illinois Springfield Interim Vice President, University of Illinois

Greetings, Class of 2021! Commencement is an important and exciting rite of passage that I look forward to celebrating each year. You have devoted years of your time becoming a stronger, smarter version of yourself, fully equipped to tackle your goals. And now you have your University of Illinois degree to help pave the exciting path ahead. As Interim Chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield, I could not be prouder of our Class of 2021. You have endured a year that was challenging in every way possible. Your grit persevered, and you will carry that determination with you into the future. I am equally as proud of the faculty and staff of UIS who helped see you through to this day, and I’m grateful to the family and friends who supported you in your educational journey. They surely are cheering you on today! The vision of UIS is to provide a pathway to opportunity, a catalyst for change and a space of possibility where learners can become leaders capable of transforming their local and global communities. Wherever you go and whatever you do, I hope the lessons of leadership you encountered at UIS will serve you well. I am confident your future will be bright with opportunities. Congratulations!

Rikeesha V. Phelon, ’99 PAA, MA ’05 LAS Chair, University of Illinois Springfield Alumni Board

Welcome to the UIS Alumni Association. We are a global, supportive alumni community of more than 44,000 graduates, united by rich traditions of loyalty, excellence and service to society. Graduation is not an ending; it’s a new start or a new beginning. It’s a time to celebrate, and to reflect. It’s a time to be thankful for those who helped you and have supported you. It’s a time to embrace opportunities before you. Your degree will open doors for you, and allow you to pursue your life’s dreams, passions and ambitions. Know that you share a common bond with nearly 800,000 living graduates of the University of Illinois System, found in all 50 states and more than 160 countries. Wherever life takes you, you’ll likely be among those who have a shared experience and bond of the University of Illinois degree. Display your diploma with pride and use your experience to help recruit a new student to UIS. The value of our degree will continue to grow with intelligent, hardworking students from diverse backgrounds coming through the doors of our alma mater. Congratulations, Class of 2021! You are well prepared to lead in the world. Be bold. Reach for Stellar. Stay true. Be UIS. Graduate Academic Honor Awards

Timilehin Isaac Adewuyi ...... Honors in Accountancy Taiwo Dorcas Akinsoji ...... Outstanding Public Health Student Herman Eli Ame ...... Outstanding Student in Political Science Kampana Bittalli ...... Honors in Business Administration Zena Budiri ...... Outstanding Student in Human Development Counseling William John Craig ...... Outstanding Student in Environmental Sciences Jennifer Dick Thomas ...... Outstanding Graduate Student in English Jordyn Michelle Eads ...... Honors in Accountancy Whitney Taylor Elders ...... Outstanding Graduate Student in Public Administration Christine Rachel Hatfield ...... Outstanding Student in Public Affairs Reporting Rebekah Hecht ...... Outstanding Student in History Gregory Scott Heurter ...... Excellence in Academic Achievement Jennifer Ashley Janas ...... Outstanding Human Service Student Kathleen M. Keeney ...... Outstanding Student in Legal Studies Jayme Aileen Kirchner ...... Outstanding Student in Computer Science Yulia Kuznetsova ...... Outstanding Student in Computer Science Taylor Ann Larson ...... Outstanding Capstone in the Master of Arts in Education John Michael Malone ...... Outstanding Doctoral Student in Public Administration Matthew Marvin ...... Outstanding Student in Management Information Systems Sally A. McDaniel-Smith ...... Outstanding Graduate Student in Public Administration Tamrika Reddy Pothapu ...... Outstanding Student in Data Analytics Sarah Logan Richmiller ...... Outstanding Student in Human Development Counseling Joseph William Ritter ...... Outstanding Student in History Ruksana Padmanabh Sathe ...... Outstanding Student in Management Information Systems Margaret Cathleen Shadid ...... Outstanding Student in Political Science Tami S. Silverman ...... Outstanding Doctoral Student in Public Administration Heather Staats . . . .Outstanding Leadership, Initiative, and Academic Work in Educational Leadership Christle June Stezskal ...... Outstanding Student in Data Analytics Barbara F. Strieker ...... Outstanding Public Health Student Benjamin F. Szalinski ...... Outstanding Student in Public Affairs Reporting Kayla M. Thompson ...... Outstanding Human Service Student Angela Try ...... Outstanding Graduate Student in Communication Abbie Lynn Varble ...... Honors in Business Administration Alexandra Marie Ward ...... Outstanding Graduate Student in Communication Melissa Hope Watkins ...... Outstanding Student in Legal Studies Rachel Marie Wilham ...... Outstanding Student in Environmental Sciences 2021 Graduates

David Keith Aarseth Lisa D. Anderson Folasayo Abidemi Shulamite Ali Ahmat Abdoulaye Sammy Anderson Bamidele Alexandria Carver Adelman Jesse Elwood Andrews Marisa Jai Barber Moyosore O. Adeolu Madison H. Angell Yakashia Barber Adeyemi Kehinde Adesina Eric Josef Angerer Margaret Grace Barbic Timilehin Isaac Adewuyi Kenia Liliana Aranda Alan Robert Barnes Iyanu Benson Adeyemi Robert Michael Arentzen Brenda Lee Barnes Helen Adetutu Adeyeni Rehab Ullah Arfan Caitlyn Elizabeth Barnes Janet Abiola Afolabi Cibele Arruda Lauren Brooke Barnes Zain Syed Ahmad Louise R. Arzu Nicholas D. Barnhill Varun Ahuja Saadia Ali Aschemann Mina Anastasia Barrera Christian Stephen Aillon Shelby Nicole Atchison Monica Lynn Barry Gomathi Aiyathuray Anirudh Atla Hozefa Bata Gbemileke Rufus Ajayi Naveen Raman Atmakur Christopher Jay Neal Bauer Ayomide Temitope Chance D. Austin Austin James Bauman Akinniranye Alexander M. Aviles Neeha Bayisetty Taiwo Dorcas Akinsoji Joshua Avina Teddy C. Beauchem Emily Albrecht Guna Shekar Reddy Avula Yashraj Behera Abigail Jean Alewelt Samson A. Awoyemi Laquitsha Neorsha Bejoile-Hayes Lauren R. Alewelt Yonatan Abi Ayele Cambry A. Bennett Courtney J. Alexander Adeola Celest Babington Kirstin Kae Bergerud Manal Saud M. Alharbi Babitha Babu Kyle Bergmann John Russell Alino Dominika Backman Scott Stanley Bernacki Connor Wester Alisson Doris Jean Bailey Jon Paul Bernardy Yousef Jamal Alkabsh Drew Evan Bails Mark Berns Razan M. Alkhazaleh Steven R. Bainbridge Blake Evan Bertolo Brooke A. Allen Pranoy Baisya Darren J. Bettinger Ebony Melan Allen Aisha Omobolade Bakare Ashwini Vijay Bhole Maddison B. Allen Aisha Olaitan Bakare Kendra Bierman Kimberly Aline Alley Brooks Baker Rithwik Biju Joseph Hani A. Al-Shafei Chance Baker Ahmed Bin Khalid Ozge Erol Altas Grant David Bale Kampana Bittalli Sara Anne Alves Heather Elaine Balke Juliette M. Black Herman Eli Ames Corey Robert Ball Michelle Candace Black Brendan Stone Anderson Sherry Baluch Jessamine Jane Blackburn Erika L. Anderson Vaishnavi Balyapelli Sean Michael Blackford Gary W. Anderson Sunday Bamgbose Kaylee Blakley Adrian O. Blancas Alex Harrison Burklow Adam Clark Emily Alyse Blankenship Jennifer Renee Bursott Alexander Charles Clark Madysen Dayne Blanton Brad C. Burwell Kenady Pauline Clayburn Nathan Andrew Blasioli Brianna M. Bush Jaylee Ann Clements Mary M. Blewitt Francesca Marie Butler Ryne Tyler Coady Elizabeth Blickhan Matthew Thomas Cacciatore Mackenzie Lorene Cochran Scott Edward Blindt Jiemin Cai Natalie R. Cokel Albert Brett Bode Renae Calder Thomas Sutherland Colbert Shalini Bode Thomas M. Caldera Hailey D. Cole Dane Boente Kirsten Rebecca Callaway Desiree Kira Cole Nolan Michael Anthony Diana Genevieve Campos Karl Allen Coleman Bogumill Derek Anthony Cantu Benjamin Dean Ross Collette Marci Anne Bollt Dakota Capranica Bryan Christopher Collins Pooja Bom Damon Capranica-Parrish Hunter Lee Collins Ali Adelaide Bortmess Blake Thomas Carlino Tarika Common Sirisha Botta Francisco Javier Carranza Elizabeth A. Connolly Melissa Paige Bowen-Fojut Hector Jesus Froylan Carrillo Enrique B. Contreras Seth Bowers Frausto Karen Fernanda Contreras Tatenda Bowora Jesus Castillo Madelyne Christine Contri David Edward Brackett Sadie M. Castro Kimberly F. Cooper Tawni Marie Bradley Daniel Catlett Roni Lynn Cooper Madison Joann Bragg Cody Lane Caulk Richard Bryan Corley Kellie Ann Brand Jennifer Celis Kortney Cheyenne Correa Rumiko Brankovich Lydia Jude Cernich Bridget Renee Correia Savannah G. Brannan Shashank Chadalavada Kerrie Coughlin Amanda Kay Breon Kwok Wing Alexander Chan Rebecca Erin Coughlin Melissa Brittin Ruell Israel Chappell Zaylon Daniel Lee Coultas Jacob Brodt Manasa Chatla Shanda Marie Courtaway Kenneth James Brokop Yingru Chen Ryan Robert Cowan Brendan Jerome Brown Yanxin Cheng William John Craig Flamonda Christine Brown Amber Lynn Chiapetto Justin T. Crawford Vaughn Lipiec Brown Keldan Robert Chick Tanner Wesley Crawford Heath Maurice Bruce Margaret C. Chiczewski Jack Creager Addison Grace Bryant Ethan Young Childers Cristy R. Cribbett Amanda Jean Buchanan Varsha Sri Chilumula Luke Mario Criscione Zena Budiri Anusha Chimata Barry Crites Olivier Aganze Bufole Rohit Varma Chitti Kaitlyn N. Crowder Jonathan Pierre Bullock Marquita S. Christian Tierra R. Crumble Lindsey Kay Burden Sarah Elizabeth Christian Sean Robert Cummins Kylie B. Burke Raymond Chun Andrew Richard Cunningham Melissa L. Curran Sydney Marie Dowell Monica Beatrice Flores Mitchell Joseph Curry Elise Dracos Roberto Javier Flores Tyler J. Curry Kaylee Gleason Drea Amber Antoinette Fluker Dawson Michael Colin Amanda Colleen Driver Angela L. Flynn Daffron Abigayle Nicole Duitsman Jacob Duane Foiles Breanna Leigh Damarin Erica Nicole Duncan Justin Ford Srilakshmi Damineni Mary Viola Dunn Natalie Forman Brian D. Damm Daniel Andrew Durbin Ashley A. Foster Haley Ann Daniels Julie Dzubin Sarah Elizabeth Fowler Olivia Darnell Jordyn Michelle Eads Matthew Richard Franks John Peter Daskalos Claire Elaine Eaton Kent William Franz Clarke B. Davenport Michael J. Edukonis Kody J. Freeman Jill Elizabeth David Eric Lee Edwards Mollie Ann Elizabeth Freeman Amanda Josephine Davis Faith Nicole Edwards Wyatt Lott Freeman Andrew Scott Davis Jason Merritt Edwards Michael James Friberg Connor Patrick Davis Whitney Taylor Elders Caleb Joe Froidcoeur Jennifer Lynn Davis Patrik Tucker Elkins Patrick Layton Frost Samantha Mae Davis Katelyn Elliott Thomas Ryan Fulkerson Catherine A. Dawson Aaron David Elmore Kenadi Lynn Fuller Austin Neal Deaton Scott Epps Dasha Niccole Gagliardo Melissa Nancy Degiorgis Ryan Michael Erickson Austin R. Galloway Mary McCormack Deka Owen Niklas Ericson Evangeline-Marie Galloy Sofia I. del Rosario Tatiana Ermolaeva Vini Rajivkumar Gandhi Meghan Elizabeth Delaney Breanna Maria Ervin Donald Phillip Garcia Ashley Marie Deloach Glorianna Esarco Rebecca Elaina Garcia Lauren Ann Denny Angela Lee Evans Katelyn Lacy Michelli Garrity Margarita Flora Golen Denolo Danielle Christine Evans Jason Gavin Tyler Devlin Blake Evermon Breyanna Makenzie Darrell Devore Geraldine Ezeocha Genenbacher Leslie Ann DeVore Victoria Lacey Falvo Anley Jo Gerdes Tessa Dillon Michael Richard Farmer Benjamin Scot Gernert Nicholas Brandon Dinello Michael R. Farrar-Davis Jason Alexander Gibson Leon John Dingbaum Fasiha Fatima Dylan Timothy Gilbert Jack Thomas Dintelman Mehmooda Fatima Kaitlin McKenna Gilstrap Lauren Elizabeth Dircks Joshua Favo Angela Gayle Gin Tanobla Marie-Dominique Andrew Patrick Feeney Ariel Carolyn Gipson Dongoh Rachel Elizabeth Fehr Carlos Giron Matthew Ignatius Dorn Navie D. Fields Shamarie Giscombe Shannon Nicole Dorr Matthew Luke Fitton Argjend Gizha Katelyn Dote Michelle Flores Kiev J. Glasscock Philip J. Godfrey Amro Hassan Nicholas Robert Hueneburg Ajay Rahul Godithi Christine Rachel Hatfield Lauren M. Huff Alexandra L. Golde Rebekah Hecht Charles Warren Hughs Elizabeth A. Golladay David Michael Heerman Jack Edward Hulvey David Alejandro Gonzalez Justin Helinski Shanita Hunt Mineros Makenzie M. Hendon Hassan Hussein Madison Lynn Goracke Sydney O. Hendricks Bao Ngoc Huynh Jeremy Edward Goss Andrew Hendrickson Tony Hyde Vikas Gossain Allison Mae Hennenfent Angelica C. Ikejiaku Brittany Michelle Grandidier Claude Lavalle Henry Jessica Jane Inman Darius L. Green Richard Blaine Henson Darius Jackson Johari Green Kylie Alexis Herman Kaitlin Marie Jackson Kennedy Alexis Green Thomas Arnold Herman Kaleb Vincent Jacobs Eleanor Jayne Greer Adoracion Impuerto Hernandez Kaytlin M. Jacoby Brandon Gregory Mackenzie Shannon Hess Amrit Lal Jain Lauren Alexis Griffin Gregory Scott Heurter Jennifer Ashley Janas BreAnna Marie Grigsby Christopher S. Hicks Robert Leonard Jankowski Rebekah Joy Grosboll Estelle A. Higdon Leidys Griselda Janneau Alex Preston Gruber Brenda Marie Hileman Sarah E. Jansen Deepika Gudise Bradley Todd Hill Patrick K. Jaromin Eric Evan Guiles Layne Kendall Hill Anne Amali Sunitha Jayaseela Dana Levonne Gurnsey Samuel J. Hines Rayar Natalie L. Haas Kara E. Hinsman Alexis Ania Jenkins Jonathan Abel Haile Randi Joelle Hirschel Jessica Elizabeth Jennings Nicholas Alexander Hairgrove Tyler J. Hiserote Sarah Jane Jennings Ayesha Hifzurrehman Haji Alexander Benjamin Hodges Courtney Jensen Xiaoxu Halcomb Lorah Lee Ann Hoe Kayla Marie Jernagin Kelsey E. Hall Madison Grace Hollinshead Ann Marie Jirmasek Susan Hamilton Victoria Rose Barri Benters Kelly Lynn Johnigk Curtis Alexander Hammock Hollinshead Emily M. Johnson Sarah Marie Hammond Zachary Jay Homeier Hayle Cheyenne Johnson Jeryn Lynn Hanlon Rebecca Ann Hood Keymonta Jamir Johnson Jack H. Hanson Charles Richard Hoogland Taeveon Johnson Aaron Michael Harrell Abby R. Hopp Kyrianna Gabriella Johnston Autumn Nicole Harris Johnathon Remo Hornak Demetria Tyroneisha Joiner Kailee Anne Harris Ashley William Hoskins Carla Michelle Jones Meredith Harris Taylor Marie Hoskins Elijah C. Jones Sarah Catherine Harris Ahja R. Howard Madison Jones Victoria Harris Victoria Josephine Howard Marissa L. Jones Grant Richard Harrison Shelbie Lynn Hubbard R’Lee Teresa Jones Tyler Aaron Jones Jade Symone Kleckner Sharon Lee Alexis Crystal Jordan Brianna Nichole Klein Jarred William Leeper Benjamin J. Kahn Natalie Jeanne Klein Carly Marie Leffel Suma Kambhampati Ashlee Rose Knapik Lauren Marie Leischner Siva Konda Reddy Kami Reddy Kirstin Colleen Knouse Alexandrea Rochelle Lemcke Dominika Elzbieta Kaminska Brian Wade Knox Amanda Leverenz Bianca Jade Kamm-Roth Udaya Sree Kommera Ting Wei Lin Kyle Kampfen Ankitaben Devendrabhai Stephanie Lindo Sri Vaishnavi Kandukuri Konkatti Eric Loera Allyson Karlen Alyce Kopec Michael Jordan Lofthouse Varun Kashyap Prudhvi Koppolu Jonathan G. Lomnicki Niti Gordhanbhai Kasodariya Donn Godwin Korbin Lynette London Jonathan Terrell Kassaw Michael C. Korzen Molly R. Looby Shalini Kataram Jason Kosowski Amanda Marie Lopetrone Eiko Kato Vamshi Krishna Kotha Rhonda Helen Lott Derek A. Kay Margaret Aston Kothmann Andrea Lovewell Gunnar Thomas Kay Beth Ann Koustas Jenna M. Lowe Alexander Keegan Dustin Kovac Teddy Kevin Lowe Kathleen M. Keeney Nancy Marie Krakowiecki Tchokonthieu Matthew Blake Kellar Logan Reid Kramer Cody Loyd Kevin Francis Kelley Connor George Krater Angelica Joyce Victoria Loyola Lauren A. Kent Jaime Kreisler Joly Gregory Michael Luker Emma Catherine Kerr Veronica Krill Cory Lyons Kyle E. Kesinger Brandon Charles Kuhl Jack Ma Benjamin James Kettelkamp Steven Michael Kunz David Brendan MacKenzie Nouf Nasir K. Khalifi Yulia Kuznetsova Aparna Madala Iram Khan Josiah Kyser Alicia Kathleen Madden Mohammad Anas Khan Andrew Michael Lahood Patrick Richard Magennis Christopher Charbel Khoury Aishwarya Lakshmi Narayanan Syed Asad Mahmood Randa L. Kienzler Trevor James Lambas Dusan Makevic Jordan Killen Nathaniel Joseph Langfelder John Michael Malone Brianna C. Killian Taylor Ann Larrison Bryan A. Mapula John Thomas Young Kim Andrea Larson Vincent Collin Maras Aliah R. Kimbro Nouriath Adouke Lawani Rebecca A. Markley Jace Tylyn King Tanya Michelle Lawrence Alessia Marie Marocco Addam L. Kinsel Joseph Le Cornelius Marshall Jayme Aileen Kirchner Daniel Jordan Leake Jeff Martin Natalie E. Kirkbride Zachary Phillip Lebovitz Omar Martinez Timothy Adam Kirsininkas Brandy Elaine Lee Victor Martinez Seth William Klatt Calvin S. Lee Tomas Martinez Aignasse Edder Fernando Martinez Lazo Amanda Jeanne Meyer Vaibhav Nakrani Reilly Elizabeth Martyn Heather Marie Meyer Priyankha Narendra Babu Kelsey Marie Marucco Kayla Meyer Maria Laprade Naumovich Sean Marushia Matthew Norman Meyer Robert Ndaye Muange Matthew Marvin Nickie L. Meyer Jade Aleigha Nebel Fahim Masoud Trenten Stephen Meyer Britany Anne Marie Negron Alan Ray Massey Christian X Meza Sarah Neill Juan Manuel Mata Javier Eduardo Milla Munoz Katherine Ann Nelson Sai Raj Swamy Matam Jacy R. Miller Niall Ivan Nethercote Tucker Scott Mathieson Janai L. Miller Dylan Jacob Newbury Kallie Nicole Matthews Jillian Esther Miller Chidiebere Elom Ngwe Mackenzi Beth Matthews Elizabeth Cecile Miller-Kent Margie S. Nichols Adeshkumar Matumadugu Madelyn Minnick Brandon Lee Nizzio Christopher Maxwell Ramesh Kumar Mishra Riley Norman Julia Elizabeth Mayes John E. Misiewicz Samuel C. Notz Christopher Jerome Mayhall Faraz Moallemi Edwin Nunez Ryan Nicholas Anil Venkat Modali John Daniel Joakim Nyman McAllister-Grum Hussain Moiz Haley Celeste Oberheide Janae L. McBride Ryan G. Moldenhauer Brendon R. O’Connell Ashley Nicole McClinton Mario Mollo Karlie B. Odam Lacey Nicole McCormick Christopher Lewis Monroe Jaime Ryan Odell Sally A. McDaniel-Smith Brandi Leigh Moore Amber Ogden Luke E. McFarland Todd J. Moore Swaroop Oggu Richard A. McGill Mohsen Moradi Moghadam Adekunle Tobi Ogundele Christine Therese McGraw Bruno Morais Simon Okbazghi Melissa Joy McKeehan Avinash Moram Ediriverere Precious Okoro Mary Margaret McNulty Noah Justin Morgan Ryan Scott Olson Jonathan Mathias McRae Seth Hamilton Morgan Nnamdi Chukwuma Morgan Ashley Meade Katherine Elizabeth Morris Onyewuchi Julia M. Meadows Kyle Taylor Mosley Emily Aida Ortega Damian Jerard Medearis Brian Moulton Kelcie Marie O’Shea Brianna Sue Mefford Kassandra Mruk Tyler James Overstreet Michael James Meier Patricia Mubirigi Austen Michael Overton Daniel Melendez Lohith Puneeth Varma Kapusinski Margaret Nolan Melvin Mudunuri Alyssa Kyara Padilla Oscar Mercado Malavika Jaideep Mujumdar Abhishek Pandit Justin Paul Merriman Zainab Murtaza Ocean Reave Pangan Joshua M. Mesick Medi Mwamba Mandu Annabella Victoria Paradies Gianna Rose Messina Elliot M. Nabatov Matthew D. Parker Melissa Lauren Metcalf Daniel Nahle Zachary Keith Parker Lindsey F. Parks Prasanth Potu Divinity Lynn Rhodes Timothy Parsons-Heather Matthew Vandervoort Powell Matthew Thomas Richards Joseph Norman Partain John Christopher Lee Powers Shannon M. Richards Yaswanth Paruchuri Susan Marie Powers Sarah Logan Richmiller Tyler Joe Pasley Laxmi Kanth Prakhya Sophia Leigh Richmiller Chirag Kumar Patel Libby Grace Price Joseph William Ritter Komal Jagdishbhai Patel Jacob Austin Pritchett Reinaldo Rivera Parth M. Patel Zoey A. Pritchett Hannah Maudie-Jean Roberts Punit Devendra Patel Ryan Prout Megan Ann Roberts Vanitaben Khodabhai Patel Yekaterina L. Pruitt William Roberts Varsha Patel Brian Daniel Pryor Sheri Roderick Carla Ann Pattillo Jack C. Pugh Briana Y Rodriguez Animesh Avinash Pawar Kavya Puli Esmeralda Rodriguez Taiyah Jamay Payne Sean David Punska Ashley Marie Rogers Aaliyah Marie Pearson Sruthi Subramanya Sai Ryan Michele Rohlfs-Ladage Venkata Saiganesh Pelluri Puranapanda Sneha Rokkam Shuang Peng Jennifer Lynn Queller Alyssa Jule Romanotto Katy A. Pennell Kristi Ann Quick Nicole M. Romero Jazlyn Perea Dakota Morgan Ragsdale Nicholas Michael Romolo Dana Perry Amaan Enayat Rahman Claire Gabriella Roscetti Alexis Dominique Petersen Pranai Chandran Rajmohan Benjamin David Roth Sierra Nicole Peterson Truman S. Ralph Zachary D. Roth Trey M. Petty Narcedalia Ramirez Mariah L. Rowden Adam Joshua Peyman Natalie Ramirez Richard William Rowe Dawn Marie Phillips Katie Rose Ramsey William Martin Rucker Joshua Pierce Corinne Lena Rand Adam Tyler Rude Lauren Jade Pierson Melissa Marie Rank Sravya Rudrayagari Izabel Pina Alexandra Kate Rasper Olivia Eleanor Ruff Alicia Nicole Pingleton Hannah Joy Rauch Michelle Ruiz Daniel Andrew Pittman Drew Raufer Justin Conley Rumer Richard P. Podeschi Sagar Ravipati Brayden Christopher Russell Ryan Anthony Podlashes Bryce Rawers Scott Russell Abhishek Polepally Mohinish Lokesh Reddy Aaren Dawn Rutan Gayathri Niharika Polneni Mary Katherine Reed Jeremie Biringanine John Victor Ponte Bryan Patrick Reese Ruvunangiza Jacob Popky Quentin Alexander Reese Adam Sahli Graciela Popoca Antonio Angelo Restivo Danielle Lynn Sakach Tamrika Reddy Pothapu Omar Adelaido Reyna Surayyah Jihadah Salahuddin Taylor Nikhol Potrawski Kathryn A. Reynolds Emmanuel A. Salazar Emily M. Potterf Nicolas Craig Reynolds Kylie Marie Salmon Rahul Raj Samba Sarah Catherine Smith Heidi J. Stump Jordan Don Sanders Zachary T. Smith Payton Faith Sturdy Adam Lucas Sansone Michael Patrick Snedeker Michelle Lee Suddeth Rukhsana Padmanabh Sathe Keith Franklin Sneyd Andrew Michael Sullender Stephanie Lynn Savell Evan C. Snyder Margaret Marietta Sullivan Catherine Susan Schleyhahn Joseph Matthew Solis-Mullen Erika Suzuki Dylan Eugene Schofield Ashley Soll Benjamin F. Szalinski Nathan Allen Schulz Venkata Rajeswari Somayajula Zachary T. Szuminski Andrew C. Schutte Joseph Alvarez Soquiat Gilliane Mae Paguia Talavera Adam Loren Schwartz Maria E. Sorto Rafaeela Tanaaz John W. Scully Alberto Sostre Yin Tang Reshma Seelanki Robert J. Spath Bashir Omobolaji Tanko Cade Johnathan Sestak Aaleiyah Caprice Spaulding Aleksandr Tarantul Davey Alan Sexton Andrew L. Spence Adrienne Vernelle Taylor Isabella Michelle Sgro Kevin Daryl Spencer Shauntez W. Taylor Margaret Cathleen Shadid Clayton Blake Sperry Reilly Nicole Tebrugge Tasneem Shaik Dana Marie Spiesz Robert Lee Telger Eric Taylor Shapiro Heather Staats Veronica Onjel Tellez Payal Sharma Debra K. Staben Miles James Tepatti Nicholas Brian Shaul Collin Fitzgerald Stallworth Vinod Thatheri Krishnan Michelle M. Shaver Jessie Michelle Standridge Sumesh Kumar Thattarambath Kasaragod Sneha Shenoy Ryan Lee Stark Naripettil Raeann Marie Shereda Jack Fitzpatrick Staten Jerry Joseph Thigpen Arman Sidhu Tomas Stavskis Alaina Danielle Thoele Linnea Kai Sieferman Landon Dale Stenger Bryce Thomas Cesar J. Silva Ashley Christina Stewart Jennifer Dick Thomas Tami Shields Silverman Cheryl May Stewart Nicole Ashley Thomas Alexandra Brittany Simpson Jennifer Lea Stewart Jason Robert Thomason Eric Steven Sivert Christle June Stezskal Kayla M. Thompson David Richard Sleeter Madison Ellen Stone Marlaina Marie Thompson Brandon Michael Smith Christopher J. Storm Vishwajith Thottathil Edward L. Smith Jason Robert Stowers Ramachandran Keyera Joy Smith Thomas E. Straight Megan Marie Tieman Kodi Jo Smith Barbara F. Strieker Luke Tillman La’Quisha Katrina Nicole Kara Ann Strode David A. Tod Smith Erik Harold Stroschein Milos Todorovic Megan Paige Smith Lawrence N. Strout Hayley M. Tolan Paige K. Smith Jayla Nicole Stubblefield Hannah Tookes Peter James Smith Paige Renee Stuckey Nicole M. Townsend Precious M. Smith Robert L. Stults Gary Trepanier Austin Payton Troemper Farris Aldelphia Watson Kory William Wright Duane Ellsworth Truax Danielle Watts Sean Shuang-Jian Wu Lori-Ann Ashleigh Trusty Priscah Watts Sai Raghavendran Angela Try Grace Marion Weber Wubhayavedantapuram Sheree N. Turner Michael Anthony Weinberg Thomas Michael Wuchte Srushti Uppuluri Drew Welbourn Kyler Wulff Joyce Diana Uriostegui Nathan R. Welch Hanhui Xu Niha Ursani Brian James Weldy Brad Andrew Yakle Alexandru Vacar Matthew William Wendling Sirisha Yanamadala Pedro Valencia Brock Charles West Sai Santhosh Nag Yarlagadda Keelin C. Valenti Megan M. West Alexis June Yoggerst Steven Robert Van Landuyt James K. Wheeler Jonathan Allen Yoswig Abilash Vanam Mark A. Wheeler Benjamin Kyle Young Laura Danielle Vandeventer Rebecca Anne Wheeler Charles Alden Young Abbie Lynn Varble Sandra Caitlynn Whitaker Jane C. Zeblon Diana Vazquez Gabriella Odonnell White Mingda Zhang Benjamin Vesterby Jacob Allen Whited Teddy Zhang Bhavana Vidavalapati Calla Marie Wickenhauser Jennifer Gayle Zimmerman Miguel Angel Villarreal Hunter Braden Wieber Deborah Rose Ziogas Jennifer Gonzalez Viramontes Alexa Wiese Alexandra Grace Zoll Quentin Voglund Justus Robert Wiese Gina Carol Zunke Benjamin J. Von Behren Rachel Marie Wilham Andrew Christopher Brandy Marie Wilkinson Vonderheide Briana Williams Pooja Voruganti Erin Nicole Williams Spencer E. Voyles Katherine Baker Williams Kaylyn Sue Vroman Keena S. Williams Nguyen Cao Nguyen Vu Greg Weaver Williamson Krishna Prabhu Mohan Timothy Allen Williamson Vutukuri Milda Willoughby Julia Elizabeth Wade Dana Rachelle Wilson Paula Ann Waite Tresa Nicole Wilson Jeffrey Austin Walker Christopher Michael Wimmer Quinderius A. Walker Keisha Mechell Windham Adam Keith Walston Madison Ann Wiseman Alexandra Marie Ward Baylie Marisa Wisley McKinzi Lyn Warnisher Ashley Nicole Wood Utkarsha Kishor Washimkar Meghan Elizabeth Woods Melissa Hope Watkins Danielle DAniece Nickole Randa Pearl Watkins Woodson Faculty Emeritus

The status of Faculty Emeritus is an honor awarded at retirement from the University to those faculty who have served the University well. The bestowal of Professor Emeritus status is a recognition of the value the University places on the experience, knowledge, and ability of its retiring faculty. This status is awarded in accordance with the University of Illinois statutes and University of Illinois Springfield policy. The following individuals have been selected to receive Faculty Emeritus status this year.

Michael Cheney Michael Cheney joined the University of Illinois Springfield in 2001, following a 20-year career at Drake University. He received his Ph.D. in Communication from Ohio State University in 1977. During his time at UIS, he served as Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, spent a short stint as a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at UIUC, became a full professor in the Communication Department and held joint appointments as an Associate Professor of Economics (UIS) and as an affiliated faculty of Liberal & Integrative Studies (UIS). While in the Communication Department, Dr. Cheney was known for his classes on The Beatles, baseball, and all things political and presidential. He was also instrumental in pushing the department forward in offering an online B.A. In addition, the students and the department have definitely reaped the benefits of his research interests centered around media, politics and popular culture. Dr. Cheney continues to serve a key role as mentor to junior faculty.

James Grubbs (posthumous) James (Jim) Grubbs joined the University of Illinois Springfield in 1999. Prior to his faculty role, he worked in the Credit for Prior Learning and the Office of Technology-Enhanced Learning areas. Dr. Grubbs was passionate about online learning and looking at the interesectionality of communication, relationships, and media. He developed several popular online classes that quickly became staples of our online program. As a result of his efforts and effectiveness in the classroom, Dr. Grubbs was the recipient of the Burks Oakley II Distinguished Online Teaching Award in 2009. Dr. Grubbs was best known for his work with UIS student radio. He provided students with a hands- on radio experience through an audio teaching laboratory that worked in conjunction with communication courses and the overall operation of a campus radio station.

Carolyn Peck Carolyn Peck received her formal education from Oklahoma State University at Stillwater, where she received a B.S. in Sociology, an M.S. in Family Relations, and a Ph.D. in Human Environmental Science in 1981. Dr. Peck also has over twenty years of direct field experience working with the elderly and their caregivers and in end-of-life care. She joined the UIS College of Education & Human Services, Human Services Department in 2002. Her teaching has focused on gerontology and end- of-life issues. Dr. Peck has conducted research on compassion fatigue in geriatric case managers with the Illinois Department on Aging, which has been published in a peer reviewed publication. She writes several book reviews annually for the international journal Educational Gerontology. In 2010, Dr. Peck received the UIS Faculty Excellence Award for sustained, career-long accomplishments in teaching and scholarship. She was the recipient of the 2014 Dorothy S. Kimball Award through the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland, established to honor individuals for outstanding accomplishment in the field of aging and on behalf of older adults and their caregivers.

Karen Reinke Karen Reinke earned her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology with a minor in Neuropsychology from the University of Arizona in 1998. She was an assistant professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale before joining the Department of Psychology at UIS in 2007. Dr. Reinke was awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor in 2012. Throughout her career at UIS, Dr. Reinke has taught courses in cognitive neuroscience and related fields in the Department of Psychology, the general education curriculum, and the Capital Scholars Honors Program. Her research interests include the areas of cognitive neuroscience, electroencephalography (EEG), functional MRI, learning, attention, and emotion. Research collaborations with colleagues at several institutions have resulted in 18 publications. Dr. Reinke has presented scholarly work at national and international conferences and supervised numerous undergraduate and graduate student research presentations. Notable service that Dr. Reinke has provided for the university includes membership on the Campus Planning and Budget Committee, CAP Personnel Committee, and Academic Integrity Council. The academic costume worn at American university exercises has its origin in medieval times. The general garment worn by all, at the time, was a gown or robe, a cape with attached hood (cowl) worn over the gown for warmth, and a cap. Color and other adornments added to the garments indicated social status or wealth. The attire worn by students and teachers was strongly influenced by the cathedrals near the center of study. As schools grew in size and diversity of subjects, teacher guilds began designating their field of study by color, and the color of the garments took on an additional designation. By the 14th century, a cap, pileus quadratus (four-cornered cap), became the standard head dress. Through time, these vestments changed in style but the three items, the cap, gown, and hood, remain in academic costumes.

THE CAP: The pileus quadratus went through its own changes. Originally introduced in Paris, the four corners were long and hung down over the head. Later, the corners were pointed upright and then were stiffened outward by a board (the mortar board). The mortar board, or Oxford style, is the traditional cap worn in American universities.

The cap is black in American universities and is constructed of cloth, with velvet reserved for the doctorate. Various items have been attached to the cap, but the tassel is now standard. The color of the tassel is black for any degree, with gold metallic thread restricted to doctors and governing officials. Occasionally, the color of the tassel will indicate honors.

THE GOWN: The cut of the gown designates the degree. The gown color in American universities – except Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Princeton, and a few others – is black. The bachelor’s degree gown is relatively simple, falling in straight lines and distinguished by long pointed sleeves. The master’s gown is also relatively straight, but the arm opening is at the elbow, allowing the rest of the sleeve to hang down. Until 1960, the arm emerged through a slit at the elbow, a sleeve was added which closes at the wrist. The original sleeve still hangs down to about the knee. The doctor’s gown is rather elaborate, marked by bell sleeves with three velvet bars and velvet panels around the neck and down the front. The cut is also fuller than other gowns. The sleeve bars and trim may be black or of subject color.

THE HOOD: Of the three components of academic costume, the hood conveys the most information. The level of the degree is indicated by the length of the hood and the width of the trim. The bachelor’s hood is three feet long with two-inch velvet trim, the master’s is three and one-half feet long with three-inch trim, and the doctor’s is four feet long with five-inch trim. At UIS, bachelor’s degree candidates do not wear hoods.

The color of the trim indicates the subject area of the degree: white signifies Arts; peacock blue signifies Public Administration, tan for Business Administration, salmon pink for Public Health, light blue for Education, pink for Music, scarlet for Theology, lemon for Library Science, and so on. There are 35 such designations.

The final information conveyed by the hood is the institution that awarded the degree to the wearer. The color designation for UIS is a royal blue field with a white chevron. Each school has its own color designator. For example, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a navy blue field with two orange chevrons. Although there is an attempt not to overlap color designators, a number of schools may have the same colors. For example, 39 universities in addition to UIS have royal blue field with white chevron.

The colored cords worn by participants identify students as scholars of distinction who have demonstrated a commitment to learning at a high level of achievement. It is believed by some historians that the wearing of honors cords is older and more traditional than the stoles that are also used by Greek honor societies since the cord recalls the teaching and contemplative orders of the Middle Ages when members of these honor societies wore knotted cords to remind them of their duties. The students who wear these honors cords in our commencement ceremonies today symbolize the University of Illinois Springfield’s historical success in attracting capable students who are exemplary scholars committed to a life of learning. Development of the Campus

The University of Illinois Springfield is located on 746 acres on the southeast side of the capital city, near Lake Springfield. The campus comprises:

The Legacy Campus, built in the early 1970s, is home to the university’s first buildings. Originally intended as “temporary,” these buildings have been renovated for many purposes over the years. Among their current occupants are Health Services, International Student Services, NPR Illinois radio, Illinois Issues magazine, a child care center, art studios and music rehearsal rooms, Human Resources, and the Exercise Science, Athletic Training, and Nursing academic programs.

Norris L Brookens Library was completed in 1975. A major learning/resource center designed to support the university’s academic programs, the library also houses Brookens Auditorium; the College of Education and Human Services; the Center for Online Learning, Research and Service; and the Center for Academic Success.

Public Affairs Center opened in 1980. The building houses the College of Public Affairs and Administration, the university’s administrative offices, the Center for State Policy and Leadership, the Studio Theatre – home to UIS Theatre productions – and the UIS Performing Arts Center, which hosts more than 100 music, theater, and dance performances annually and is home to the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Ballet Company.

Health and Sciences Building, opened in 1992, houses UIS biological and physical sciences and the computer science program in high tech labs. The building is also home to the UIS Visual Arts Gallery.

Lincoln Residence Hall, completed in 2001, is a state-of-the-art residential facility for freshmen and sophomores.

University Hall, opened in 2004, is home to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Management, and the offices within Enrollment Management, including Admission, Financial Assistance, Orientation, and Office of the Registrar.

The Recreation and Athletic Center, opened in 2007, houses a sports arena, fitness facilities, and an indoor running track. The arena is home to the UIS Prairie Stars men’s and women’s basketball teams and the volleyball team.

Founders Residence Hall, opened in 2008, is UIS’ second residence hall for freshmen and sophomores. The 200-bed facility also features classrooms and the offices of several student services. The hall has a green roof in order to conserve energy.

The UIS quad, located in the center of campus, features a colonnade, fountain, and the newest addition, a life-size sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, titled “The Young Lawyer.”

The UIS Student Union opened in January of 2018 on the south end of the quad. The two-story, 50,000- square-foot facility is a hub for student life and fosters a greater sense of community on the growing campus. It includes dining services, a coffee shop, a ballroom, a Student Leadership Center, volunteer offices and workspaces for student organizations. About the University of Illinois Springfield

The University of Illinois Springfield was established in 1970 as Sangamon State University and became the third university in the University of Illinois System in 1995. For its first thirty years, the university was an “upper division” university, enrolling only juniors, seniors and graduate students. It quickly became renowned for its focus on serving the needs of adults who wanted to finish their undergraduate degrees or earn a master’s degree. UIS enrolled its first class of Capital Scholars honors freshmen in 2001 and then expanded the freshman class significantly in the fall of 2006. With today’s graduating class, UIS now has over 44,000 alumni worldwide. UIS enrolls more than 4,000 students and has 51 degree programs. UIS is a place where leadership is lived every day by faculty and students. They have an abundance of opportunities to collaborate in a very supportive community environment. The result is a graduating class composed of today’s and tomorrow’s leaders.

Congratulations to all of our graduates.

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