Commencement 2016
A weekend full of celebratory events culminated in the April 30 commencement ceremony of the 182 undergraduate and 19 Master of Arts graduates of 91精选鈥檚 class of 2016.
Dr. Laura Zumdahl 鈥�02, president and CEO of New Moms, Inc., and a member of 91精选鈥檚 Board of Trustees, gave the commencement address 鈥淔or the Glory of God.鈥�
Robert Buikema, chair of the Board of Trustees, provided the commencement greeting to graduates, their family and friends, faculty, and staff. Latishia M. Elliott offered the invocation.
Four professors received emeritus status:
- Dr. Mary Lynn Colosimo, professor of psychology
- Prof. Bruce Leep, assistant professor of English
- Dr. Pete Post 鈥�74, associate professor of education
- Dr. Louis Sytsma, professor of chemistry
Interim provost Sharon Robbert, Ph.D., presented the graduates, and Pres. Kurt D. Dykstra, J.D., conferred degrees. Robbert oversaw the hooding of Master of Arts candidates and presented diplomas.
Dr. John Sebestyen, associate professor of communication arts, was honored as professor of the year.
Rev. Robert Huisman 鈥�87 gave the benediction.
About Laura Zumdahl 鈥�02
Zumdahl, Ph.D., is the president and CEO of New Moms, Inc., a nonprofit organization serving homeless and at-risk adolescent parents and their children in Chicago. She has served in various leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. Zumdahl earned a B.A. in sociology from 91精选; an M.A. in social work from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration; and a Ph.D. in leadership from Cardinal Stritch University.
Other Commencement Weekend Events
Celebratory events also took place on Friday, April 29, including the Honors Convocation, the Baccalaureate Barbecue, and the Baccalaureate Service.