Spoon River College held their 63rd Commencement Thursday, May 9, at the Multi-Purpose Building in the MidAmerica National Bank Gymnasium on the Canton Campus. Approximately 140 students participated in the ceremony, and several students as well as two faculty members were recognized for their achievements.
President of Spoon River College, Dr. Curt Oldfield, welcomed guests, as did Jerry Cremer, Chair of the SRC Board of Trustees, and Brian Dalpiaz, Chair of the SRC Faculty Association. Student Alyssa Zarello gave the welcome on behalf of the student body.
Missy Wilkinson, Dean of Student Services, recognized members of the Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team. Those students were Delaney Eastwood, Jennifer Henson, and Misty Peyer. Also recognized were members of the Phi Theta Kappa Nu Delta Chapter who earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average: Elena DeWees, John Ross Hess, Chelsey Hopkins, Sydney Sager, Jenna Schleich, and Brynna Seitz.
Haylee Anderson of Canton was recognized for earning her Associate in Arts degree a week before her high school graduation. She was a member of the Running Start program at Canton High School for dual credit students. Student Anna Fowler of Macomb was recognized as having served in the Navy.
Esmerelda Uribe, Student Trustee, presented the first Student Achievement Award to transfer student Delaney Eastwood of St. David, who graduated with an Associate in Arts degree. Eastwood will be transferring to Illinois State University to major in psychology for a future career as a clinical psychologist. While at SRC, Eastwood served as the President of the Gay Straight Alliance, Vice-President of Phi Theta Kappa, and was a member of Students for Environmental Action.
The second Student Achievement Award was presented to career and technical education student Connor Taylor of Glasford, who graduated with an Associate in Applied Science in Agricultural Business Management, as well as certificates in Agriculture Production and Agricultural Precision Technology. Taylor operates a small local farm, and was credited for being attentive and engaged in the classroom, compassionate and fair towards others, and always willing to listen to the perspectives and ideas of everyone in the classroom.
New this year were two Pay It Forward scholarships for $5,000 each courtesy of an anonymous donor. President Oldfield presented these awards to Traci Brown of Lewistown and Alyssa Zarello of Bushnell. Brown said she plans to become the teacher that she needed as a child, and aspires to make a difference for other children both in and out of the classroom. Zarello also plans on a teaching career, with a goal of earning a master’s degree. She said she will continue to do small acts of kindness for people, with emphasis on those who are going through difficult times and struggling with their mental health.
Holly Norton, Vice President of Educational and Student Services, presented faculty awards for teaching excellence. Brian Dalpiaz (Math) was the recipient of the Spoon River College Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Award and Illinois Community College Trustee Association Outstanding Full-Time Faculty nominee. Allyson Smith (Agriculture), was the recipient of the H. Truman Standard award.
Sarah Stufflebeam and Stephen Stufflebeam served as Student Honor Guards.
