Commencement
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Herrick Chapel
Did you miss it? No problem! Watch the recordings here:
YouTube: Commencement 10AM Commencement 2PM
Facebook: Commencement 10AM Commencement 2PM
Countdown to Commencement
Due to the limitations in room capacities, the ceremonies will be held in Herrick Chapel at our Elgin Campus for the graduates only. Graduates may bring no more than two guests who will be directed to specific on-campus viewing areas. Masks and social distancing will be required and participants will be screened prior to the ceremonies. (Please note that all plans are subject to change due to state restrictions).
Please note below the breakdowns for each ceremony along with the check-in times. Please arrive at the Herrick Chapel at your check-in time where there will be screening (temperature check and health questionnaire) for you. Your two guests will need to come to Herrick Chapel to be given a ticket for a viewing area. From there they will head to their designated area and complete their screening (temperature check and health questionnaire). After the ceremony concludes, guests will be instructed to return to the Herrick Chapel to congratulate the graduates during the "Eagle Launch" recessional (weather permitting). The ceremonies will also be live on the Judson University Facebook and YouTube, the best way to be able to view these are by liking or following Judson on these platforms. Be sure to bring your cap, gown, and tassel (along with hood for Master and Doctoral students) to the ceremony.
CEREMONIES
10:00 AM
2:00 PM
CHECK IN TIMES:
9:00 a.m. Bachelor of Arts/Fine Arts: Traditional Architecture and Art & Design, Division of Professional Studies
9:15 a.m. Associate of Arts
9:30 a.m. Masters: Architecture, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Organizational Leadership, Business Administration
10:00 A.M. CEREMONY PARTICIPANTS
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE
Ryan Matthew Ayres
Samuel Brian Barber
Deyglis Sarai Castillo-Becker
Nakaya Inari Davis
Morgan Elise Dykema
Rebekah Karen Matson
Roman Nicolas Munoz Cabrera
Randy Dennis Renteria
TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATES
DEPARTMENTS:
Architecture and Art & Design
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Shawn Patrick Bandel, Architecture
Stephen Lynn Bishop, Architecture
Adaliz Marie Carballo Ferrer, Architecture
Dallas Merritt Colburn III, Architecture
David Filipowski, Architecture
Timothy Caleb Gordon, Architecture
Caleb Michael Jones, Architecture
Theodore Matthew Kruzich, Architecture
Robyn Lombard, cum laude, Architecture
Nathanael David Madison, Architecture
Rachel Darla Norgren, summa cum laude, Architecture
Luciano Fabian Otiniano-Ponti, Architecture
Joanna J. Pelley, Architecture
Dermeei Perez, Architecture
Bradley James Polan, Architecture
Allyson Marie Smith, Architecture
Joseph Lee Soetermans, Architecture
Aiden Valiant Stevens, magna cum laude, Architecture
Matthew Bowen Thompson, Architecture
Ben Ismael Said Toure, Architecture
Katelyn Leigh Valeria, cum laude, Art
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
Micah Joy Brandt, magna cum laude, Graphic Design
Michael Thomas Figueroa, Graphic Design
Olivia Mae Jensen, summa cum laude, Graphic Design
Marissa Joelle Joyce, Graphic Design
Antonina Gabriella Pisciotto, cum laude, Graphic Design
Sarah Susan Vattiprolu, cum laude, Graphic Design
DIVISION OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
MASTER OF ARTS IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Emma Louise Busken
Alexis Elizabeth Coticchio
Gretchen Olivia Eldridge
Sydney Marie Hall
Regino I. Sta. Cruz Jr.
MASTER OF ARTS IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Hailey Ranee Lenth
Daniel Joseph Lynde
Andres Murillo
Sarah Lindsey Nelson
Natalie Ann Ricca
Brian Robert Vallero
Stacie Judith Wolfgram
Juleya Roneasha Woodson
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Marcie Bradford Bailey
Lana Elizabeth Barker
Carla Rae Brown
Earl Dmitre Curry
Julie Malee Durkin
Nataliya Kabashnyuk
Tanner Jordan Kehrer
MaryEllen McCracken
Tiffany Lara Montiel
Rebecca Jean Murphy
Peter James Orlando
Juan Pablo Salazar
Telesforo M. Sanchez
Glen Smith III
Peter Francis Wach
ADULT PROFESSIONAL STUDIES UNDERGRADUATES
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Jennifer E. Boland, Human Services
William Darnell Carter, Applied Psychology
Christina Denise Curtis, Organizational Leadership
Amanda Michelle Durava, cum laude, Human Services
Karen Mary Escobar, Organizational Leadership
Sandra Hortencia Fabela, Business Administration
Hugo E. Garcia, Organizational Leadership
Nicole L. Gupton, Business Administration
Melanie Beth Heuer, cum laude, Organizational Leadership
Steven Kyle Johnson, cum laude, Business Administration
Dustin Paul Karolewicz, Business Administration
Debra Lee Kushman, Applied Psychology
Sierra Samone Montgomery, Applied Psychology
Aubrey Ann Nelson, Applied Psychology
Misty Lane Owens, Human Services
Lisa A. Perez, Business Administration
Roberta Suzanne Peters, Human Services
Bethany Elyse Poe, Human Services
Kathleen Sedlak, Applied Psychology
Linda Catherine Summerville, cum laude, Human Services
Ashley Elizabeth Thurber, Human Services
Michael John Togtman, Applied Psychology
Kimberly Vargas, Applied Psychology
Samantha Talor Willems, Applied Psychology
Tanjenika Jnae Williams, Human Services
Monica Alfreda-Cherie Young, Organizational Leadership
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
Humbertina Cabrera, Liberal Arts
Tiara Monique Escamilla, Liberal Arts
Jean Colleen Farley, Liberal Arts
Carleysha Dominique Gates Stewart, Liberal Arts
Laura A. Madera, with Highest Honors, Liberal Arts
April D. Marohl, Liberal Arts
Alexus Anais Matos, Liberal Arts
Angelica Rene Meraz, Liberal Arts
Carmen Monserrat Navarro, Liberal Arts
Chotsani Rodgers, Liberal Arts
Megan Elizabeth Schnaebele, Liberal Arts
Robert Steven Townsend, with Honors, Liberal Arts
CHECK IN TIMES:
1:00 p.m. Bachelor of Arts/Science: Traditional Biblical & Theological Studies, Business, Christian Ministries, Communication Arts, Education Division, Exercise & Sport Science, History, Music, Psychology, Science & Mathematics, Worship Arts
1:30 p.m. DLIT
1:30 p.m. RISE
2:00 P.M. CEREMONY PARTICIPANTS
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN LITERACY
Erik J. Borne
The Impact of Student Choice on High School Students’ Reading Volume and Reading Identities
Valerie Cawley, EdD
Victoria Billimack, EdD
Mellissa Gyimah-Concepcion, PhD
Michele C. Byrne
FLAIR––A Theoretical Framework for Parent-Child Workshops: Conceptualizing and Empowering
the Home Literacy Environment
Joy L. Towner, EdD
Julene Ensign, PhD
Maria Schlup, EdD
Kristin Marie Cibulka
Social and Emotional Learning in an Elementary, Self-Contained Gifted Classroom
Eilene Edejer, PhD
Brian Tucker, EdD
Kristy Piebenga, EdD
Nirda Graciela Derose
Developing Translanguaging Praxis: The Learning Journey of Two Bilingual In-service Teachers
Joseph C. Rumenapp, PhD
Mary Gorr, EdD
Susana Ibarra Johnson, PhD
Lydia Saravia, PhD
Jennifer Lynn McGowan Katrein
Children’s Perspectives and Diverse Literacy Experiences: The Role of Social Perspective Taking Skills
Within Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning
Brenda Buckley-Hughes, EdD
A. Gillian Stewart-Wells, PhD
Kristy Piebenga, EdD
Michael Wayne Kilpatrick
Increasing First Grade Students’ Social Awareness in Rural Schools Through the Use of Diverse Children’s Literature
Karen Biggs-Tucker, EdD
Maria Walther, EdD
Benjamin Zulauf, EdD
Heather L. Kraus
Becoming Summer Readers and Leaders: The Impact of Student Agency on Middle-Level Students’
Reading Interests and Self-Perceptions as Readers
Steven L. Layne, EdD
Roxanne Farwick Owens, PhD
Katie Ahsell, EdD
Amber Elise Reedy
What Are We Reading Today? Read-Aloud Decisions in the Elementary Classroom
Marsha Vaughn, PhD
Karen Biggs-Tucker, EdD
Megan Truax, EdD
TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATES
DEPARTMENTS: Biblical & Theological Studies, Business, Christian Ministries, Communication Arts,
Education Division, Exercise & Sport Science, History, Music, Psychology, Science & Mathematics, Worship Arts
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Balthazar Abel, Management
Cullen Christopher Anderson, Music Business/Entrepreneurship
Juan Antonio Arambula, Psychology
Jenny Beltran, Management
Kylie Lorrin Brands, magna cum laude, Psychology
Mikayla Anne Brown, magna cum laude, Elementary Education
Carter Alexander Bruntjen, Communication Studies
Brandon William Callender, Management
Kayla Marie Capps, Psychology
Robert Carlton Carr, Marketing (Management)
Vitoria Castilho Tessecini, Management (Marketing)
Nayeli Cisneros, magna cum laude, Management
Victoria Jnell Crowe, Media Writing
Addison Roth Davila, Worship Arts
Mikayla Claire Doran, cum laude, Elementary Education
Ramon Eurioles Espino, Sport Management
Emily Nicole Fenn, cum laude, Psychology
Jose Ernesto Garcia Lopez, Sport Management
Synthia Marie Garcia, Marketing
Yesenia Alexis Garcia, Worship Arts
Makaylee Teresa Garcia-Moore, Psychology
Anthony Joseph Gervino, Marketing (Management)
Leah Rachel Goltz, cum laude, Health Promotion & Performance
Paul R. Grinter, summa cum laude in The Honors Program, Biochemistry
Jacob William Gugle, Biochemistry
Nicholas Aaron Guske, magna cum laude, Music Business/Entrepreneurship
Grace Ann Haakenson, Management
Nyckalas J. Harvey, SPED: LBS1
Natalia Joanne Heckermann, cum laude, Pastoral Leadership
Kelly Rebecca Hoeksema, Health Promotion & Performance
Emma Grace Indlecoffer, cum laude, SPED: LBS1
Jasmine M. Jackson, cum laude, Health Promotion & Performance
Joseph Jackson Jr., Psychology
Rebecca Marie Johnson, cum laude, Worship Arts
Matthew Ryan Kelley, Health Promotion & Performance
Christopher Stephen Kerswell, Chemistry
McKaylie Taylor Kaitlin Krey, Psychology
Jared Alexander Kromminga, Health Promotion & Performance
Kara Maureen Lentine, cum laude, Elementary Education
Augustin Lestelle dit Olive, summa cum laude, Marketing
Evan James Liebau, Management (Marketing)
Emma Grace Loeppky, Communication Studies
Hazzel J. Lopez, Management (Marketing)
Danielle Renee McCauley, Psychology
Nikolaos S. Mihalopoulos, Marketing
Noemi Miklos, Communication Studies
Kevin Nevarez, Marketing
Ashley Anne O'Brien, Marketing
Luke Hassemer Pearson, Music Business/Entrepreneurship
Adela Pelayo, Health Promotion & Performance
Reyna Marie Perales, Psychology
Daija Latrese Pruitt, Management
Allison N. Reynolds, summa cum laude, Psychology
KayCee Lee Robinson, Natural Sciences
Alexis Leighann Ruger, Health Promotion & Performance
Danielle Erin Saguiped, cum laude, Early Childhood Education
Fidel Librado Sanchez, Psychology
Javier Jose Sanchez, Natural Sciences
Nicolas Angel Sepulveda, Health Promotion & Performance
Samuel R. Smith, Psychology
Mariah Pearl Spivey, Health Promotion & Performance
Alexis Jo Tesch, summa cum laude, Elementary Education
Joshua Caleb Thompson, Marketing
Angel Antonio Torres, Management
Sebastian Wilfredo Torres, Sport Management
Bryan Timothy Tripp, magna cum laude in The Honors Program, Music Business/Entrepreneurship
(Management)
Michaela Rose Vasalos, Sport Management
Christopher Berthelot Veltkamp, summa cum laude, Biochemistry
Francisco Javier Villanueva, Management
Jacob Martin Wallin, Psychology
Jade M. Warner, Natural Sciences
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Nancy V. Carrillo, Biology
Nicolette Angela Dobson, magna cum laude, Biology (Chemistry)
Emily Christine Vook, magna cum laude in The Honors Program, Biochemistry
RISE PROGRAM
Daniel Ryan Ballenger, concentration: Health & Wellness
Hope Alexandra Buechner, concentration: Education
Veronica Mary Krol, concentration: Health & Wellness
Joshua Kent Maxwell, concentration: Creative Arts
Cooper Patrick Mullin, concentration: Health & Wellness
Rebecca Joy Steiner, concentration: Education
Jacob Tyler Urban, concentration: Christian Ministries
Micah Ashton Yates, concentration: Health & Wellness
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Baccalaureate Degree: Academic honors for Bachelor’s degree graduates are based upon the student’s summary grade point average and the earning of sixty or more graded hours at Judson (conditional upon the receipt of final grades) as listed below:
Cum Laude: A summary grade point average of 3.50-3.69 both at Judson and in all transferred degree work merits graduation cum laude and is denoted by one cord.
Magna Cum Laude: A summary grade point average of 3.70-3.84 both at Judson and in all transferred degree work merits graduation magna cum laude and is denoted by two cords.
Summa Cum Laude: A summary grade point average of 3.85-4.00 both at Judson and in all transferred degree work merits graduation summa cum laude and is denoted by three cords.
Associate Degree: To earn honors designation at graduation, an associate graduate must complete all sixty hours of their associate degree requirements at Judson and meet the degree grade point average (conditional upon the receipt of final grades) as listed below:
Honors: A degree grade point average of 3.50-3.69 at Judson merits graduation with honors and is denoted by one white cord.
High Honors: A degree grade point average of 3.70-3.84 at Judson merits graduation with high honors and is denoted by one navy blue and white cord.
Highest Honors: A degree grade point average of 3.85-4.00 at Judson merits graduation with highest honors and is denoted by one navy blue, gold and white cord.
Caps and Gowns:
All students are required to order their cap and gown online by Friday, February 26, 2021. Students who do not order by this date will assess a $30 late cap and gown order fee. Please go to Herffjones to order your cap and gown. Master and Doctorate students, please remember to order your hood with your cap and gown. All caps and gowns will be available for pick-up beginning approximately May 3rd. Caps and gowns are yours to keep.
ALL GRADUATING STUDENTS: Please check your student account online and pay any balances. Log onto MYJudson and select Student accounts to check your account and make payments. If you are unable to pay your full balance, you must contact Student Accounts (see contacts below) to make payment arrangements and pay your first installment payment in order to pick up your cap and gown. You will be able to receive your transcripts and diploma once you have a $0 balance. If you have a $0 balance and there are no holds on your account, you are ready to pick up your graduation attire!
Financial Aid Exit Counseling: If you have taken out student loans, note that you must complete Financial Aid Exit Counseling in order to receive your transcripts and diploma.
Doctor of Education in Literacy
Doctor of Education in Literacy students can pick up their cap, gown, and hood in Office 110 of Creekside South. Questions regarding your student account should be directed to Linda Newman or Ron Graf (see contact information below).
Traditional Undergraduates/Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture and Traditional students can pick up their cap and gown in the Student Accounts office during business hours (University Center, second floor). Pick up at the Elgin Main Campus, University Center, second floor in the Student accounts office: Walk-Ins: Monday, May 3, through Thursday, May 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. to NOON.
Adult Professional Program:
Adult Professional Program Elgin and Online Students
Pick up at the Elgin Main Campus, University Center, second floor in the Student Accounts office - Walk Ins: Monday, May 3, through Thursday, May 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, May 7, 9:00 a.m. to NOON.
Adult Professional Program Rockford Students:
Pick up at the Rockford YMCA - Walk-Ins: Monday, May 3, through Wednesday, May 5, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Student Financial Services:
University Center, 2nd Floor,1151 North State Street, Elgin, IL 60123
Student Accounts Office:
Linda Newman: Linda.Newman@judsonu.edu - Phone 847-628-2055
Ron Graf: RGraf@judsonu.edu - Phone: 847-628-2051
Financial Aid Office:
Master's/Adult Students last names A-Z: Vincent Peluso - Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
847.628.2535 - vincent.peluso@judsonu.edu
Trad Students last name A -L: Julie Durkin - Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
847.628.2537 - julie.durkin@judsonu.edu
Trad Students last names M-Z: Lora Samayavong - Monday to Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
847.628.2532 - lora.samayavong@judsonu.edu
Graduation Photography
General photos from commencement and individual photos of graduates walking across the stage will be available for purchase online through Kevin Sherman Photography after the event. To see the photos and order prints, go to store.kshermphoto.com.
Graduation Announcements
Diploma Frames & Class Rings
To view graduation accessories please go to Herffjones
Diplomas
Diplomas will not be given at Commencement. If there are no holds from student accounts, library or financial aid, diplomas will be available for pickup starting Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Rockford Adult Undergrad and Graduate students can pick up their diplomas at the Rockford location. Diplomas not picked up by Tuesday, July 20, 2021 will begin to be mailed out. Holds must be cleared before diplomas can be released. Graduation fees must be paid regardless of whether you participate in the commencement ceremony. If you choose not to participate in the commencement ceremony you will need to notify Jill Hargis at jhargis@judsonu.edu by Friday, February, 26th.
Transcripts
To request a copy of your transcript, please login to www.judsonu.edu and click on "MYJU." The Transcript request link is in that menu. You may also order a transcript for pick up by coming to the Registrar’s Office in the Lindner Tower building. There is a $5 charge per transcript.
Alumni Information
The mission of the Judson University Alumni Association is to unite and serve alumni from Judson University and encourage alumni loyalty, support and involvement in the University. All Judson graduates automatically become lifetime members of the Judson University Alumni Association (JUAA). No membership dues are charged to be part of the Alumni Association. As a member, you will receive regular communications about programs and the impact of Judson’s students and alumni, Alumni Connections, a monthly e-newsletter keeping you informed of everything happening for alumni, as well as invitations to various opportunities throughout the year.
There are several ways to stay connected with your alma mater:
- Join Judson Connect at judsonu.wisr.io/signup a place where you can make connections with fellow Judson alumni and students online to discuss career paths, industries of interest, job opportunities, connect with favorite programs, and much more
- Attend campus events like Homecoming, Choir Concerts, Theater Events, and Athletic Games
- Attend Judson regional gatherings in areas throughout the US
- Participate in the annual spring break mission trip to Belize for alumni and current students with Dr. Crume
- Connect through Social Media with the Judson Alumni Facebook page and LinkedIn group
- Support the Alumni Phonathon
- Join the Judson Alumni Club
The Judson Alumni Club has been created for all Judson alumni who make a donation of $10 or more per academic year to benefit any area of the University. For your annual donation, you will receive a Judson Alumni Membership Card as recognition of your support that will provide added benefits exclusively for Judson Alumni Club Donors such as:
- $2 discount to Judson Theater Performances
- $2 discount to Judson Athletic Events
- $20 discount off the annual Fitness Center Pass
- 10% discount off Judson Bookstore purchases
- Membership in Working Advantage savings club offering national discounts on entertainment, shopping, etc. with over 700 vendors
Judson Alumni are offered added benefits such as a FREE membership to Right Now Media (an online library of over 10,000& video Bible studies, leadership videos, and kids’ shows), Judson Connect community platform, discounted insurance through our Alumni Insurance Program and more. Learn about alumni discounts, resources and events at www.judsonu.edu/alumni. Regular visits to the Judson University website also keep you informed of upcoming events and university news. Notify the Alumni Office with new events in your life - new address, new email address, job change, wedding, work or life accomplishments, addition to your family (birth, adoption, etc.), that you would like to share or have printed in our alumni communications
For alumni near our Elgin campus, the Judson Alumni Association offers a free one year pass to the Lindner Fitness Center. This pass is free to alumni, their spouse, and/or children (ages 12 –21) for one year after graduation. Passes for alumni, their spouse, and/or children can be purchased after the first year at a small cost of $100 per year (or $80 for Judson Alumni Club members.
You are invited to fill out the Graduation Survey for Spring 2021. To do so, please go to Spring 2021 Graduation Survey
Print the last documentation page to bring with you when you pick up your cap and gown.
Thank you!
Questions? Please contact Jill Hargis at jhargis@judsonu.edu