University of Illinois Springfield 46th Annual Commencement Ceremonies Saturday, May 13, 2017 Greetings Timothy N. Koritz Chairman, University of Illinois Board of Trustees On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the almost 13 mil- lion residents of our great state whose interests we represent, I congratulate you, graduates of the Class of 2017. I hope you are as proud and happy to be here today, as I am — proud to be an alumnus of our most noble and exemplary institution. Your Illinois education has provided you with a strong foundation upon which to real- ize your goals. No matter what you do and where you go, that education will help you achieve your dreams. Not only does the University of Illinois provide unparalleled, high-quality education, it also is a powerful engine of innovation and excellence that benefits both our citizens and our economy. And, in these days of ever-increasing globalization, our university’s efforts benefit, not just Illinois, but people and institutions around the world. Today I am pleased to welcome you to one of the largest alumni associations in the world. Our alumni lead by example, embracing the strong University of Illinois values of ingenuity, compassion and hard work. Whether you stay in our wonderful state or go elsewhere, you’ll always carry a piece of the University of Illinois in your heart. I urge you, in all you do, to promote, protect, and preserve our grand legacy of learning and labor. May you share the pride I have in our university and may you spread our tradition of Illinois excellence wherever your journey might take you. Dr. Timothy L. Killeen President, University of Illinois Congratulations, graduates! Today, you have achieved a life goal—one that you’ve worked so hard toward, class-by-class and semester-by- semester. Tomorrow, you head off into less-chartered territory, but what you have learned here has given you an invaluable toolkit as you move into your future. Your years at the University of Illinois Springfield have unlocked the doors to your dreams, uniting your passion with world-class faculty and programs to nurture talents that will lift your careers, your families and your communities. The compass that will guide your success is the same one that brought you here today. As Illinois favorite son and two-time presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson once told graduates: “When you leave here, don’t forget why you came.” Your ambitions and commitment – fueled by the skills you fostered here – will steer you to the future you imagined. On behalf of the entire University of Illinois System, it is an honor to celebrate you, joined by the proud family and friends who have supported you along the way. Enjoy your day and come back often. Dr. Susan J. Koch Chancellor, University of Illinois Springfield Vice President, University of Illinois Greetings to the Class of 2017! As Chancellor of the Springfield campus of the University of Illinois, commencement is an especially exciting day for me. But this is your day and you are participating in an important rite of passage that universities have honored for centuries. The word commencement (from the 13th century Old French word commencement) means “a ceremony in which degrees are conferred.” It also means “…the beginning of something.” Whatever that new beginning is for you today, I wish you a future bright with opportunities. I want you to know how proud I am of you today. I’m also grateful to the faculty and staff of UIS and to the family and friends who helped you get to this momentous day. We are all here to honor you and celebrate your achievements. The focus of our university is to provide an intellectually rich learning experience that prepares students to make a difference in the world. I am supremely confident that you will make a difference. Wherever you go and whatever you do, I hope the lessons of leadership that you have learned at UIS will serve you well. My heartfelt best wishes to you and to all who are celebrating with you today. Honorary Degree Recipient Edgar J. Curtis Edgar J. Curtis has served as president and chief executive officer of Memorial Health System since January 2008, providing senior-level administrative leadership for the overall strategic direction of the health system. Memorial Health System includes seven affiliates: Memorial Medical Center, Springfield; Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln; Passavant Area Hospital, Jacksonville; Taylorville Memorial Hospital; Memorial Home Services; Memorial Physician Services; and Memorial Behavioral Health. Under his leadership, the health system’s annual revenue has grown from $500 million to $1 billion. In 2014, Memorial contributed $2 million and entered into a partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield and the University of Illinois Chicago College of Nursing to bring UIC’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to the UIS campus. In 2016, Memorial Medical Center was the only hospital in the nation, and the first in Illinois, to receive the American Hospital Association Quest for Quality award. Also in 2016, Memorial Medical Center received two of four Illinois Health and Hospital Association Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Mr. Curtis serves on the boards of the BJC Collaborative, LLC; Vizient Mid-America; and the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA). He is Chair of the IHA Board of Directors and Chair of IHA’s Transforming Illinois Healthcare Task Force. He also serves on the Illinois Higher Education Commission on the Future of the Workforce, the Board of Directors of the Midwest Healthcare Quality Alliance, and is a member of several leadership councils for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He has served in leadership roles with several health-related and community organizations, including the Springfield Urban League, United Way of Central Illinois and Central Illinois Foodbank. Mr. Curtis received his master of business administration degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his bachelor of science degree in nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He began his career as a registered nurse and later served in management and administrative positions at Memorial Medical Center from 1979 to 1993. He served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Memorial Health System and Memorial Medical Center for 14 years from October 1993 to December 2007. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. 2017Commencement Ceremonies Processional Pomp and Circumstance Nos. I and IV by Elgar (Audience is asked to remain seated during the processional) Kristi Barnwell, Grand Marshal* Platform Party Faculty Students Musical Selections Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key Illinois, Illinois by Archibald Johnson/Charles Chamberlin Performed by Denise Yates, 1996 and 1998 Alumna Opening Remarks Susan J. Koch, Chancellor Greetings from the University of Illinois Board of Trustees Edward L. McMillan, Trustee (5:30 ceremony) Greetings from the President Timothy L. Killeen, President, University of Illinois (5:30 ceremony) Conferring of Honorary Degree Doctor of Humane Letters Edgar J. Curtis (5:30 ceremony) Introduction of Student Commencement Speaker Clarice Ford, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Remarks to Fellow Graduates Alexander William Camp, Class of 2017 Presentation of Master’s Degree Candidates James Ermatinger, Interim Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs 2017Commencement Ceremonies Conferring of Master’s Degrees Susan J. Koch, Chancellor (12:30 ceremony) Timothy L. Killeen, President, University of Illinois (5:30 ceremony) Presentation of Bachelor’s Degree Candidates James Ermatinger, Interim Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Conferring of Bachelor’s Degrees Susan J. Koch, Chancellor (12:30 ceremony) Timothy L. Killeen, President, University of Illinois (5:30 ceremony) Presentation of Graduates (See “Student Walk Order” section for the sequence in which students will walk across the stage) ** College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (12:30 ceremony) College of Business and Management (5:30 ceremony) College of Education and Human Services (5:30 ceremony) College of Public Affairs and Administration (5:30 ceremony) Closing Remarks Susan J. Koch, Chancellor Recessional Pomp and Circumstance Nos. I and IV by Elgar (Students and audience are asked to remain seated during the recessional) Kristi Barnwell, Grand Marshal* Platform Party Faculty * Grand Marshal is an honorary title conferred each year on a professor by vote of the UIS faculty. ** Graduates’ names are read by Tim Schweizer, Public Service Administrator, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Apeksha Mallipeddi, ITTA Application Programmer (12:30 ceremony), and Brian Mackey, NPR Illinois Statehouse Reporter (5:30 ceremony). The Marshals The faculty and students who comprise each program committee on campus select one graduating student who best exemplifies the goals and spirit of each program. Those students have been designated as program marshals and may be identified by the gold stoles they wear. The students chosen by their faculty to be honored as marshals are: College of Business and Management Accountancy Emery P. Halverson – M.B.A. Management Information Diane Marie Boyle – B.A. Peoria Systems Deborah A. Stratton – B.A. Peoria Damon Eugene McFall – M.B.A. Dale Gene Daily – B.S. Binqian Shi – M.A. Tara Stacy Sadler – M.S. Economics Business Administration Jocelyn A. Matsen – B.A. Shane Michael Clarke – B.B.A. Peoria Wei Jin – B.B.A. College of Education and Human Services Education Elementary Education Human Services Kari Lynn Caldwell – M.A. Makinzie J. Yoho – B.A. Kelly Ann Herd – M.A. Educational Leadership Human Development Social Work Christian Devon Mahone – M.A. Counseling Sean N. Blackwell – B.S.W. Alexa B. Kaufmann – M.A. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Biology Computer Science Liberal Studies Jack Henry Zinnen – B.S. Alex C. Ginglen – B.S. Alisha Marie Funkhouser- Jessica Michelle Souther – M.S. Janasha Prabhu – M.S.