Jordan Hammersley and OWL Students Outfitter Wildlife Management Instructor Jordan Hammersley congratulates some of his students who just graduated the program. Pictured (l-r) are Lexxus Deaton of Harrisburg, Alyssa Mills of Broughton, Zachary Rebstock of Madisonville, Texas, and Peyton Koelm of Edgewood. Photo provided.
Southeastern Illinois College held the 2023 Commencement Ceremony for its graduates on May 12 in Joseph Deaton Gymnasium. The graduates accepted their certificates and diplomas to the cheers and applause from attending family and friends.
SIC has a total of 176 graduates this year, though not all participated in the commencement ceremony. Additionally, there are many students who choose to transfer to a four-year institution without a conferred two-year degree.
SIC President Dr. Jonah Rice provided the welcome remarks and the Charge to the Graduates.
The 2023 Distinguished Alumni addressed the graduates: Charles Morgan, President of Aurubis, Buffalo Inc.; Dr. Laura Portee, Veterinarian at Central Hospital for Animals; and Dr. James Porter, President of the Physician Division of Deaconess Health System, Inc.
Their advice to the graduates included, “Remember things you don’t understand may not be wrong, they may just be different,” from Morgan; “Don’t be someone else’s version of you,” from Portee; and “…If a small-town farm boy from Equality can achieve his goals and fulfill his dreams, you can too,” from Porter.
Dr. Karen Weiss, SIC Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented the candidates for degrees. SIC Board of Trustees Chair, Dr. Pat York, conferred the Degrees. Music for the first ceremony was provided by veteran Paul Thompson, the Town Piper, of Marion.
After the ceremony, a reception was held in the Harry L. Crisp Student Center. At that time several cash prizes were awarded lottery-style to students who participated in the ceremony. Bentley Jo Linch of Harrisburg won $250, courtesy of CAVA Wealth Management. Four $100 cash prizes were awarded from the SIC Foundation to Joshua Mckade Smith of Harrisburg, Briley Nicole Watts of Stonefort, Sydney Rae Hancock of Stonefort, and Chase D. Murphy of Galatia.
Following are Southeastern 2023 graduates from the White County region. (*Denotes graduating with honors. ** Denotes graduating with honors and member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.)
Broughton: Alyssa Nicole Mills (Outfitter Wildlife Management Certificate and Outfitter Wildlife Management Associate in Applied Science*)
Carmi: Taylor Lynn Carpenter (Associate in Arts), Madison Renee Hoy (Associate Degree Nursing Associate in Applied Science), Sophie Renee Jones (Practical Nursing Certificate), Zachary Tyler Little (Basic Vehicle Repair Technician Certificate*, Diesel Technology Medium Heavy Duty Truck Certificate Certificate*, and Diesel Technology-Heavy Equipment Associate in Applied Science*), Devin Cole Rankin (Associate in Arts*), Hannah Mae Sailer (Practical Nursing Certificate), Allison Lynn Shelton (Certified Nurse Assisting Certificate*), Ashlee Morgan Swalls (Associate in Science), Haleigh Grace Williams (Associate in Applied Science in Criminal Justice)
Enfield: Joshua Robert Howard (Associate in Arts* and Associate in Science*), Skyler Jenae Morss (Associate in Science*)
McLeansboro: Rebecca Marie Jennings (Practical Nursing Certificate)
Norris City: Hannah Louise Barton (Associate in Arts*), Hannah Marie Bryan (Corrections Certificate* and Law Enforcement Certificate*), Hayden Joseph Buskirk (Associate in Science)
Omaha: Andrea Lynn Bowen (Practical Nursing Certificate), Blake Andrew Brown (Information Technology Certificate, Welding Technology Associate in Applied Science*, and Welding Technology - Level 2 Certificate*)
Ridgway: Carli Ann DeVous (Associate in Arts), Chelsea Ann Goodman (Associate in Arts*), Mallory Paige Jones (Certified Nurse Assisting Certificate), Braxton A. Raben (Practical Nursing Certificate), Gunner Ray Wilson (Associate in Arts* and Associate in Science*)
