JACKSON, Mich. – Baker College of Jackson will recognize 361 graduates at the 2015 commencement ceremony at 7 p.m., Friday, June 12, at Jackson High School Auditorium, 544 Wildwood Ave., Jackson.
The event will include graduates who attended the main campus, the satellite campus in Coldwater and Baker College Center for Graduate Studies.
“While graduation signals the end of a course of study, the word commencement means beginning, and that is what the class of 2015 is doing,” said Steve Simpson, Ed.D., Baker College of Jackson chief academic office. “The knowledge and skills that these graduates acquired at Baker College will help set them on meaningful and rewarding career paths as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”
Benjamin Lasky, of Jackson, will be the graduate speaker for the ceremony. He is receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management.
Several awards for outstanding graduates will be presented at the ceremony:
- Business Administration Award—Isaac Daugherty, Jackson, bachelor’s in accounting.
- Human Services Award—Rita Honeysett, Eaton Rapids, bachelor’s in human services.
- Health Sciences Award—Amanda Marie Hubbard, Battle Creek, bachelor’s in radiation therapy.
- Technology Award—Douglas Kloepfer, Lansing, bachelor’s in information technology and security with a concentration in cyber defense.
The Teaching Excellence Award will be presented to Barbara “Ann” Lown, an adjunct faculty member at the Coldwater satellite campus.
Among this year’s graduates are several of note:
- Jacob Ellis, of Spring Arbor, and William Rogers, of Springport, will be the first graduates of the new fire science associate program.
- A mother-daughter duo, Corinne and Michelle Stolaruk, of Jackson, will receive bachelor’s degrees in teacher preparation. Corinne’s focus is in secondary social studies with an English minor, and Michelle’s focus is in elementary social studies.
- Lindy Wilson, Baker College of Jackson work experience coordinator, will receive an MBA.
The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) will post Baker College colors during the ceremony, and Michael Stewart will sing the national anthem. Stewart earned a medical assistant associate degree in 2014 and is pursuing a bachelor’s in health services administration. Baker College faculty, staff and students who have served or are currently serving in the military will wear the red, white and blue cords.
The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 28,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in online education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.