GRADUATION CEREMONY

MAY 16, 2021 | 9 :30 A.M.

In lieu of an in-person performance, today’s prelude music features recent recordings by the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. Corey Seapy.

Works by Arnold, Bach, Björk, Gillingham, Mackey, Perry (‘21), and Whitacre.

The audience will rise with the entrance of the Academic Procession and will remain standing for the Invocation.

INVOCATION Rev. Dr. Timothy Kovalcik - Professor of History

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION President Reynolds

SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF RETIREES Provost Aper

STUDENT SPEAKERS College of Arts and Sciences:

“Remember who you are, and Whose you are.” - Jada Miller, Class of 2021

Tabor School of Business: “One More” - Collin Krakowiecki, Class of 2021

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS “Success with Enthusiasm” - Randell S. Blackburn, Chair, Board of Trustees, Millikin University

President James M. Reynolds, Presiding with Provost Dr. Jeffery P. Aper

M AY 1 6 , 2 02 1 | 9 : 3 0 A . M .COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES | TABOR SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | TABOR MBA PROGRAM

THE CONFERRING OF DEGREES The Master of Business Administration Degree, Tabor School of Business

The Bachelor of Arts Degree, College of Arts and SciencesThe Bachelor of Science Degree, College of Arts and Sciences

The Bachelor of Science Degree, Tabor School of Business

SPECIAL MUSIC “Pomp and Circumstance” (Theme from March No. 1) - Edward Elgar

“First Suite” in E-flat - Gustav Holst Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble - Dr. Corey Seapy, Conductor

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Randell S. Blackburn - Chairman, Board of Trustees

TASSEL CEREMONY Austin Wombacher - Class of 2021

The audience will rise and remain standing for the Alma Mater and Benediction.

THE MILLIKIN ALMA MATER arr. by Scott Ninmer

To the Blue and the White we will loyal be, Hail our Alma Mater With our voices we’ll sing ever faithfully, Hail our Alma Mater

Her cherished traditions we’ll uphold, Our loyalty will ne’er grow old Loyal sons and daughters we always will be, Hail our Alma Mater.

BENEDICTION Reverend Dr. Kovalcik

Students will exit the auditorium by rows. The audience will remain seated until the students and platform party exit, at which time they will exit by rows, following the instructions of staff.

Postlude music features recent recordings by the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra conducted

by Dr. William McClain and the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. Corey Seapy. Works by Copland, Gabrieli, Handel, Perry (‘21), Respighi and Turina

JADA MILLERCollege of Arts and Sciences

BAC H E L O R O F S C I E N C E H U M A N S E RV I C E S

SA I N T L O U I S , M I S S O U R I

COLLIN KRAKOWIECKITabor School of Business

BAC H E L O R O F S C I E N C E F I NA N C E

H A N NA C I T Y, I L L I N O I S

C L A S S O F 2 02 1 G RA D UAT I O N // ST U D E N T S P E A K E R S

RANDELL S. BLACKBURNChair of the Board of Trustees

Mr. Randell S. Blackburn joined the Millikin Board of Trustees in 2015. He graduated from Millikin University in 1982 with a degree in Biology. He is a retired Vice President of Transportation for Union Pacific Railroad.

C L A S S O F 2 02 1 G RA D UAT I O N // C O M M E N C E M E N T S P E A K E R

Bethany L. Gotts Decatur, Ill. Management

Andrew Jon Gum Carol Stream, Ill. Management

Nicholas Evan Harper Decatur, Ill. Management

Alex N. Harvey Decatur, Ill. Management

Colin Michael Jamison Bloomingdale, Ill. Management

Ryan P. Kaveney Cary, Ill. Management

Samantha Danielle Kitson Decatur, Ill. Management

Hannah Elizabeth Lake Mount Zion, Ill. Management

Melanie Dyan Atwood Decatur, Ill. Management

Edward J. Bober Manteno, Ill. Management

Joseph Richard Buhay Jr. Plainfield, Ill. Management

Jared Childs Buzan Minooka, Ill. Management

La Sonja Adelaide Chargois Decatur, Ill. Management

William C. Fields Decatur, Ill. Management

Michelle Lee Gatons Herrick, Ill. Management

Aristheia Baida Gonzalez Decatur, Ill. Management

TABOR SCHOOL OF BUSINESSM A S T E R O F B U S I N E S S A D M I N I S T R AT I O NDr. Najiba Benabess, Dean

Aubrey Joanne Magro Rochester, Ill. Management

Danielle Marie Makowicz Decatur, Ill. Management

Loren Marie McGinnis Maroa, Ill. Management

Pascaline Muhindagiga Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo Management

Christian Allan Olson Decatur, Ill. Management

John James Pirelli Pekin, Ill. Management

Hanna Jo Poggenpohl Raymond, Ill. Management

Elethia Rawls Decatur, Ill. Management

Paul A. Rutherford Decatur, Ill. Management

Ksenia Safonova Tartu, Estonia Management

Erik Sanchez Aurora, Ill. Management

Joseph Dale Snow Decatur, Ill. Management

Mark Dmytrivych Voskoboynikov Decatur, Ill. Management

Brianna Wagner Elmhurst, Ill. Management

Adam Michael Zuk Plainfield, Ill. Management

TA B O R S C H O O L O F B US I N E S S // M A ST E R O F BU S I N E S S A D M I N I ST RAT I O N

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCESB A C H E L O R O F A R T SDr. Randy M. Brooks, Dean

Joselynn Ayishetu Ali South Holland, Ill. Political Science

Raquel Jasmine Boettcher** Warrenville, Ill. Social Science (Sec. Teaching)

Joshua Everett Boliard+ Decatur, Ill. Social Science (Sec. Teaching)

Robert Allen Brake II Albion, Ill. History

Astrid Sixto Calixto Decatur, Ill. Spanish

Valeria Isabel Chavez Roncal* Moorhead, Minn. Spanish

Johannah Belle Comish* Highland, Ill. English Education

Kevin Diaz Chicago, Ill. Spanish

Geoffrey Diver** Delavan, Ill. Political Science

Jordan Elizabeth Ann Diver** Delavan, Ill. Communication

Alexa Marie Duncan* Decatur, Ill. English - Writing

Kionah Sakari Flowers* Decatur, Ill. English - Writing

Travis Lee Gyuran Alta Vista, Kan. Criminal Justice

Maria Isabella Hernandez* Manhattan, Ill. English - Writing

Marissa Rae Hettel** Ottawa, Ill. Communication

Lisa Ann Hill* Bloomington, Ill. History

Kaley Nicole Holden Mount Zion, Ill. Communication

Beau Bandy Kallenbach** Blue Mound, Ill. Social Science (Sec. Teaching)

C O L L E G E O F A RT S A N D S C I E N C E S // BAC H E L O R O F A RT S

Kaylie Elizabeth Painter Sprague Forsyth, Ill. Criminal Justice

Athena Dealan Pajer+ Decatur, Ill. English - Literature

Teague Jerome Phillips O’Fallon, Ill. Human Services

Molly Nicole Phoenix Bloomington, Ill. English - Writing

Katherine Rice Springfield, Ill. Philosophy

Sydney C. Rudny* Orland Park, Ill. Mathematics Actuarial Science, Computer Science

Haley Nicole Vemmer* Decatur, Ill. Computer Science

Haley Nicole Vemmer* Decatur, Ill. Mathematics Actuarial Science

Ronald John Wanda III Oak Forest, Ill. Criminal Justice

Madeline Claudia Wilson+ Mokena, Ill. English Education

Marlen Zarate-Zapien Oakland, Calif. Human Services, Spanish

Sabrina Audray LeBlanc Carbondale, Ill. Political Science

Alexia K. McDermott Saint Louis, Mo. Sociology, Criminal Justice

Kayli Sinclaire Merriman Decatur, Ill. Criminal Justice

Alexis Nicole Monnet** Effingham, Ill. English Education

Katelyn Nicole Nika* Springfield, Ill. Foreign Language - Spanish Ed.

Nash M. Oldenettel+ South Jacksonville, Ill. Political Science

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCESB A C H E L O R O F S C I E N C EDr. Randy M. Brooks, Dean

Colton Michael Edward Adams Cerro Gordo, Ill. Sociology

Eva Moné Anthony Herrin, Ill. Criminal Justice

Lauren Elizabeth Artime Forsyth, Ill. Biology

Dylan Matthew Bauer Decatur, Ill. Mathematics

Scott Everett Bauer Crestwood, Ill. Criminal Justice

Brynn Viola Becker Joliet, Ill. Psychology

Alexander William Bergland** Saint Joseph, Mo. Interdepartmental

Niah Grace Bevolo* South Roxana, Ill. Biology, Psychology

Erika R. Castanon** Valparaiso, Ind. Biology

Jared Steven Chapman Haubstadt, Ind. Biology

Kimberly Diane Christnacht* Lakewood, Colo. Biology

Richard H. Coppenbarger Jr.+ Decatur, Ill. Sociology

Joseph T. Davies+ Tinley Park, Ill. Chemistry

Mackenzie Ellyse Dixon Edwardsville, Ill. Biology

Margaret Nicole Doss Jacksonville, Ill. Biology: Molecular Cell

Shania Lynn Dvorak Palatine, Ill. Psychology, Human Services

Nicholas Keith Dyer** Mount Zion, Ill. Mathematics Actuarial Science

Merrik Michael Eddington* Mount Zion, Ill. Psychology

Kaelyn Diane Falk** Decatur, Ill. Sociology, Criminal Justice

Aaron Joseph Gamsby** Clinton, Ill. Biology

Zephaniah Daniel Greenwell** Decatur, Ill. Chemistry

C O L L E G E O F A RT S A N D S C I E N C E S // BAC H E L O R O F S C I E N C E

Chloe Lynne Herbert** Macon, Ill. Chemistry

Sarah Ingabire Decatur, Ill. Chemistry

Kyle Matthew Kane* Westchester, Ill. Biology

Mackenzie Ann Kiewitt+ Union, Mo. Environmental Studies

Cassidy R. Knoerzer** Califon, N.J. Psychology, Sociology

Lucinda Cathrine Koger Naperville, Ill. Biology

Daniel James Mayer New Lenox, Ill. Communication

Griffin Connor Meeker Saint Joseph, Ill. Criminal Justice

Daniel Tomas Mendoza Arcola, Ill. Environmental Studies

Kendra Nicole Merris Decatur, Ill. Psychology, Criminal Justice

Jada Elise Miller Saint Louis, Mo. Human Services

Charlotte Morgan Decatur, Ill. Psychology

Alexis Natae Newbon Decatur, Ill. Human Services

Brianna Micheal Niebrugge Decatur, Ill. Biology

Madison Kane Ourada Plainfield, Ill. Psychology

Madisen Eileen Park Mount Zion, Ill. Psychology

Emily Renee Reeves+ Decatur, Ill. Biology

Angel Rios Jr. South Elgin, Ill. Criminal Justice

Alexander Romer* Decatur, Ill. Mathematics

Brandon A. Rowe Oakwood, Ill. Biology

Miranda Sue Rueff Decatur, Ill. Chemistry

Saamia Salik Forsyth, Ill. Chemistry

Rene Santonio Sanchez Burbank, Ill. Criminal Justice

Patrick Alexander Smith Decatur, Ill. Biology

Sebastian Xavier Smith Sullivan, Ill. Communication

Samuel Joseph Thornburg** Mundelein, Ill. Mathematics

Joycelyn Rae VanAntwerp** Kewanee, Ill. Psychology

Clarence Jude Velasco* Decatur, Ill. Mathematics Data Science

Clarence Jude Velasco* Decatur, Ill. Computer Science

Alyssa Mae Vignos* New Berlin, Ill. Biology

Hannah Marie Watts Mount Zion, Ill. Biology

Claire Elizabeth Weers* Minonk, Ill. Biology

Morgan Aileen Wendt* Oreana, Ill. Mathematics Secondary Education, Middle Grades Education

Ivan S. Wilson Jr. Lynwood, Ill. Sociology

Brian Jeffrey Wise Blue Mound, Ill. Environmental Studies

Austin William Wombacher+ Mascoutah, Ill. Biology

Marshall G. Youngblood Jerseyville, Ill. Mathematics

Marshall G. Youngblood Jerseyville, Ill. Physics

C O L L E G E O F A RT S A N D S C I E N C E S // BAC H E L O R O F S C I E N C E

TABOR SCHOOL OF BUSINESSB A C H E L O R O F S C I E N C EDr. Najiba Benabess, Dean

Jackson Christopher Allen+ Decatur, Ill. Management

Alyson Nicole Armstrong* Watson, Ill. Management

Brad Richard Austin* Oreana, Ill. Accounting

Brent William Beals Effingham, Ill. Management

Danielle Elizabeth Beard* Oak Brook, Ill. Management

Lane Belleville Effingham, Ill. Finance

Brittany Marie Bourne+ Oak Forest, Ill. Digital Media Marketing

Mary E. Callaghan** Chicago, Ill. Accounting, Arts Administration

Torie Cole+ Decatur, Ill. Accounting

Tyler Scott Coppernoll+ Peoria, Ill. Entrepreneurship

Mitchell Anthony Cremer* Decatur, Ill. Accounting, Finance

Emmanuel Ceasar Davis Kansas City, Mo. Accounting

Jennifer Dial** Moweaqua, Ill. Organizational Leadership

Rashid Malik Eugene Fahim Mishawaka, Ind. Management

Connor James Foley+ Peoria, Ill. Management

Jonte J. Gant Grand Rapids, Mich. Digital Media Marketing

Jessica Lauren Green Decatur, Ill. Accounting

Seth Christian Greenwell** Decatur, Ill. Management

Seth Nicholas Hansen Springfield, Ill. Mgmt. Info. Systems

William Bennett Hoffing Decatur, Ill. Digital Media Marketing

Madeline Rose Holland* Shelbyville, Ill. Accounting

TA B O R S C H O O L O F B US I N E S S // BAC H E L O R O F S C I E N C E

Benjamin William Moulic Jacobs Naperville, Ill. Management

Davion N. Jefferson Kankakee, Ill. Digital Media Marketing

Grady Dawsyn Johns** Decatur, Ill. Management

Brandon Wilson Kane* Forsyth, Ill. Mgmt. Info. Systems

Matthew Stevens Kern Belleville, Ill. Management

Collin Joseph Krakowiecki** Hanna City, Ill. Finance

Erik D. Labroo** Quincy, Ill. International Business

Kholbe Lamont Leaks Decatur, Ill. Management

Lucas Riley McCoskey Decatur, Ill. Accounting

Alida Mugisha Romeoville, Ill. International Business

Jason James Ohl Decatur, Ill. Finance

Jake E. Pietryk Orland Park, Ill. Digital Media Marketing

Jessica Alejandra Piña Santos* Greenwood, Ind. International Business

William Arthur Powell Danville, Ill. Management

Benjamin Breda Prisching McHenry, Ill. Accounting

TA B O R S C H O O L O F B US I N E S S // BAC H E L O R O F S C I E N C E

Tyler Lee Prunty East Peoria, Ill. Digital Media Marketing

Kailey Marie Pulec+ Frankfort, Ill. Management

Parag Ajesh Sachdeva Bhattu Kalan, Haryana, India Finance

Seamus Nicholas Michael Sjostrom** Chicago, Ill. Management

Gabriel Jesse Soria Naperville, Ill. Management

Michael Wallace Staszcuk Saint Charles, Ill. Management

Skielyr Kathleen Trenkle* Le Roy, Ill. Management

Kenisha Katava Wade+ Decatur, Ill. Organizational Leadership

Elijah Robert Wall-Lampkin Rochester, Ill. Management

Timothy James Weglarz** Tinley Park, Ill. Management

Molley Marie Whitlock Ringwood, Ill. Management

Danielle Reneé Williams Decatur, Ill. Digital Media Marketing

Ryan Bishop Wimmer Chesterfield, Mo. Management

Joe Yang Zong Xie Elk Grove Village, Ill. Information Systems

TA B O R S C H O O L O F B US I N E S S // BAC H E L O R O F S C I E N C E

The appearance of names on this program does not necessarily signify the issuance of degrees. Honors are based on previous term. We regret that later changes may not be reflected in the Graduation Program.

* graduating Summa Cum Laude with a minimum 3.8 grade point average (pending final grade calculations) ** graduating Magna Cum Laude with a minimum 3.65 grade point average (pending final grade calculations) † graduating Cum Laude with a minimum 3.5 grade point average (pending final grade calculations)

PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS Alexander William BerglandMary E. CallaghanSamuel Joseph Thornburg

JAMES MILLIKIN SCHOLARS Alexander William BerglandMary E. CallaghanValeria Isabel Chavez RoncalMaria Isabella HernandezMarissa Rae HettelSamuel Joseph Thornburg

LONG-VANDERBURG SCHOLARS Mackenzie Ann KiewittAlida MugishaSaamia Salik

HONORS SCHOLARSBrittany Marie BourneKimberly Diane ChristnachtJohannah Belle ComishNicholas Keith DyerAaron Joseph GamsbyMadeline Rose HollandMatthew Stevens KernCollin Joseph KrakowieckiAlexis Nicole MonnetAthena Dealan PajerSydney C. RudnyHaley Nicole VemmerClaire Elizabeth WeersMorgan Aileen WendtMadeline Claudia WilsonMarshall G. Youngblood

The regalia worn by participants in this afternoon’s academic procession are an extension of a medieval tradition and symbolize the highest academic degree earned by the wearer and the academic institution awarding the degree. The robe is usually black with a semi-stiff yoke and pleated front. The bachelor’s gown has pointed open sleeves with no ornamentation; the master’s gown has longer, crescent-shaped sleeves; the doctor’s gown has full-length lapels of velvet and bell-shaped sleeves with three horizontal velvet bars. The doctor’s gown and the velvet bars may be a color reflecting the wearer’s field of study. The doctor’s hood is the longest and fullest. The color of lining of the hood indicates the degree-granting institution. The doctoral gown is usually faced with black or blue velvet down the front, and there are three bars of black or blue velvet across the sleeves. The facing and crossbars may also be done in velvet in the color distinctive of the subject for which the degree was awarded, or in colors of the institution awarding the degree. The color of the trim signifies the field of study: white, arts and letters; golden yellow, science; purple, law; apricot, nursing; green, medicine; olive drab, business and accounting; lemon, library science; scarlet, theology; dark blue, philosophy; pink, music; light blue, education. Candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and

Millikin prepares students for professional success; democratic citizenship in a global environment; and a personal life of meaning and value.

Sciences and the College of Professional Studies at Millikin University wear white tassels except for nursing degree candidates who wear apricot tassels. Candidates for the bachelor of science degree in the Tabor School of Business wear olive drab tassels. Students in the College of Fine Arts wear brown tassels except for bachelor of music candidates who wear pink tassels. Tassels are worn on the right side of the mortarboard until the degree is conferred and then will be shifted to the left side by the entire graduating class. Members of the faculty with advanced degrees wear hoods in the colors of their degrees and the granting institutions. The facing of the hood denotes the field of study while the colors of the lining are those of the college or university which conferred the degree. Millikin University confers honorary doctorates; linings for these hoods are Yale blue and white. Tassels for advanced degrees are normally black, except doctorates may be of gold metallic thread. Tassels may also be colored as are the facings of the hoods for advanced degrees: arts, letters and humanities, white; business and accounting, olive drab; education, light blue; music, pink; philosophy, dark blue; science, golden yellow; law, purple; library science, lemon; theology, scarlet; etc. The processional is led by student marshals, who are generally selected by Student Senate. Two senior professors serve as faculty marshals. Following them in the processional are the faculty; University trustees, who wear distinguishing purple hoods and mortarboards; and the platform party.

GRADUATES WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS PROGRAM IN THE MAIL