Columbia College Chicago 2026 Commencement Program
COVER IMAGE
“When the Sunrays are Golden”
ELLIE SHARBA
Candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography
“Chicago has taught me how to master duality, chaos in one open palm and calm in the other. Wind and warmth, noise and quiet, concrete and sky. But every now and then when the sunrays are golden and the chaos and calm meld, the city breathes as one and the skyline comes to life. The weight of the city evaporated and we were reminded of the beauty still to be found. To my fellow graduates: Go find where your sunrays are golden.”
PRESIDENT AND CEO SHANTAY N. BOLTON, PH.D., THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND THE FACULTY OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE CLASS OF 2026
2026 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026, 11:00 A.M.
Schools of:
• Business and Entrepreneurship
• Communication and Culture
• Fashion
• Film and Television
Order of ceremony on page 4
SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026, 4:30 P.M.
Schools of:
• Audio and Music
• Design
• Theatre and Dance
• Visual Arts
Order of ceremony on page 5
In an effort to make our Commencement sensory-accessible and inclusive, we have set aside a quiet room away from the ceremony for our guests and community members who may need it. Please ask an usher for directions. A limited number of sensory bags are available in the quiet room.
ORDER OF CEREMONY: SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026, 11:00 A.M.
Full musical selection and musician credits on pages 32-33
COMMENCEMENT CONCERT
PROCESSIONAL, CONCLUDING WITH
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
Lyrics on page 6
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Lyrics on page 6
WELCOME AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Beth Ryan
Professor of Instruction, Business and Entrepreneurship
MANIFEST 2026 MUSIC VIDEO
Scenes from Manifest 2026: Kaleidoscope, the college’s annual celebration of graduating student work
GREETING FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
William E. Wolf
GREETING FROM THE NATIONAL ALUMNI BOARD
Mary Mazurek MFA ’11, Ph.D., President
STUDENT ADDRESS
Lacresha White
Candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Fashion Studies
Biography on page 8
POETRY READING: “ECHALES GANAS,”
By Uriel A. Centeno
Winner of the 2026 Commencement Poetry Competition
Read by the author
Text on page 7
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Shantay N. Bolton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
RECOGNITION OF 2026 EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD WINNERS
RECOGNITION OF EMERITUS FACULTY
See list of emeritus faculty on pages 8-9
CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREE AND ADDRESS
Toi L. Salter
Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
Biography on page 10
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
By President Bolton, assisted by:
• Suzanne McBride, M.S.J., Interim Senior Vice President and Provost
• Steven H. Corey, Ph.D., Dean of Academic Programming
• Jerry Brindisi, M.A. Interim Director, School of Business and Entrepreneurship
• Ames Hawkins, Ph.D., Interim Director, School of Communication and Culture
• Colbey Reid, Ph.D., Director, School of Fashion
• Eric Scholl, M.F.A., and Wenhwa Ts’ao, M.F.A., Interim Co-Directors, School of Film and Television
RECESSIONAL
ORDER
OF CEREMONY: SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026, 4:30 P.M.
Full musical selection and musician credits on pages 32-33
COMMENCEMENT CONCERT
PROCESSIONAL, CONCLUDING WITH
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
Lyrics on page 6
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Lyrics on page 6
WELCOME AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Richard Walker
Associate Professor of Theatre
MANIFEST 2026 MUSIC VIDEO
Scenes from Manifest 2026: Kaleidoscope, the college’s annual celebration of graduating student work
GREETING FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Michael Swanson
GREETING FROM THE NATIONAL ALUMNI BOARD
Mary Mazurek MFA ’11, Ph.D., President
STUDENT ADDRESS
Ben Levy
Candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Comedy Writing and Performance
Biography on page 8
POETRY READING: “ECHALES GANAS,”
By Uriel A. Centeno
Winner of the 2026 Commencement Poetry Competition
Read by the author
Text on page 7
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Shantay N. Bolton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
RECOGNITION OF 2026 EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD WINNERS
RECOGNITION OF EMERITUS FACULTY
See list of emeritus faculty on pages 8-9
CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREE AND ADDRESS
Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker
Hip-Hop Artist, Actress, and Educator
Biography on page 10
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
By President Bolton, assisted by:
• Suzanne McBride, M.S.J., Senior Vice President and Provost
• Jeanne Petrolle, Ph.D., Acting Dean of Faculty Affairs
• Elizabeth Davis-Berg, Ph.D., and Tom Dowd, M.A., Interim Co-Directors, School of Design
• Duncan MacKenzie, M.F.A., Interim Director, School of Visual Arts
• Jimmy Noriega, Ph.D., Allen and Lynn Turner Director, School of Theatre and Dance
• Ben Sutherland, Ph.D., Director, School of Audio and Music
RECESSIONAL
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING STAR SPANGLED BANNER
BY FRANCIS SCOTT KEY
O, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: ‘Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footstep’s pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
BY JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet,
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered; Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee.
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee.
Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land.
“ECHALES GANAS,”
BY URIEL A. CENTENO
CANDIDATE FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CREATIVE WRITING WINNER OF THE 2026 COMMENCEMENT POETRY COMPETITION
“Echales Ganas,”
that’s what my grandma would say before class. Give it your all, for the money, of course.
Gold couldn’t buy the satisfaction I’m starved of.
A maddening hunger causes a stirring from my sternum to my core and it’s burning. Are you worthy? A question I ask in the mirror when the words start blurring across the screen, but there’s no stopping.
My grandma would say, “Dios está mirando.” And He’s waiting for a miracle. What can I do that hasn’t been done? Doubt becomes a fever when left unchecked. The Starving Artist can not afford to be still.
“Echales Ganas, es tu obsesión.” Give it your all, because you’ve got goals that make it impossible to sleep when the reality of success is more rewarding than any dream. We can’t be atheist in our own work, greatness is the natural response to dedication.
I look for the eyes of my grandma, my mother, my sister and brothers and partners, and I see pride. I see the evolution of my work, of my words, and craft, and I feel proud. All us artists must give it our all moving forward, Echales Ganas, in a world that needs your work.
Es tu obsesión.
THE 2026 COMMENCEMENT POETRY COMPETITION WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE RISE FUND, DEMONSTRATING THE COLLEGE’S INTENTIONAL INVESTMENT IN STUDENT SUCCESS.
STUDENT SPEAKERS
LACRESHA WHITE
Candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Studies
SPEAKING SUNDAY, MAY 17, 11:00 A.M.
Lacresha White is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Studies, specializing in product development. Through garment construction, she uses fashion as a storytelling medium, bringing to life the narratives of people within her community. Lacresha is committed to understanding diverse experiences and translating them into pieces that resonate with and reflect a broader audience. She looks forward to sharing her work with the world.
BEN LEVY
Candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Comedy Writing and Performance
SPEAKING SUNDAY, MAY 17, 4:30 P.M.
Ben Levy is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Comedy Writing and Performance. He is a writer, performer, and creative who draws on his interests in health, philosophy, and psychology to produce work that is kind, unique, and thought-provoking. In his first year after graduation, he plans to continue writing, performing, and deepening his study in his areas of interest. Ben would like to extend his gratitude to all those who have supported him along the way—and to anyone else who would like to be thanked.
EMERITUS FACULTY
The rank of emeritus is conferred on retired or retiring faculty who have given distinguished service to the college and to their students, and whose vision and leadership have had a significant impact on the Columbia community and on their professional, creative, or scholarly field. An emeritus appointment is made by the President on the recommendation of the School Director and Provost.
The following faculty members were appointed to emeritus status in the summer of 2025 or during the 2025-26 academic year. Their years of service to the college are indicated below.
TO BE HONORED SUNDAY, MAY 17, 11:00 A.M.
JAAFAR AKSIKAS
Professor of Cultural Studies Emeritus 2005-2025
SEAN ANDREWS
Associate Professor of Cultural Studies Emeritus 2009-2025
SHARON BLOYD-PESHKIN
Professor of Journalism Emeritus 2002-2025
RAMI GABRIEL
Associate Professor of Social Sciences Emeritus 2002-2025
DIANA GORMAN JAMROZIK
Associate Professor of American Sign Language Emerita 1998-2025
ANN HETZEL GUNKEL
Associate Professor of Humanities Emerita 1998-2025
SUSAN KERNS
Professor of Film and Television Emeritus 2013-2025
AVIYA KUSHNER
Associate Professor of Creative Writing Emerita 2008-2025
MATTHEW McCURRIE
Associate Professor of English Emeritus 2003-2025
ROBERT WATKINS
Associate Professor of Political Science Emeritus 2006-2025
BONNIE WINER
Professor of Instruction in Film and Television Emerita 2000-2026
ELLEN YEH
Associate Professor ofEnglish Emerita 2014-2025
TO BE HONORED SUNDAY, MAY 17, 4:30 P.M.
GERALD ADAMS
Associate Professor of Science Emeritus 1984-2025
PAUL AMANDES
Associate Professor of Theatre Emeritus
1989-2026
VICTORIA CAN
Associate Professor of Instruction in Biology Emerita
2009-2026
PAUL CATANESE
Professor of Interdisciplinary Arts Emeritus
2008-2025
KELLI CONNELL
Professor of Photography Emerita 2007-2025
PAUL D’AMATO
Professor of Photography Emeritus 2001-2025
MATTHEW DOHERTY
Assistant Professor of Instruction in Design Emeritus
2007-2025
DAVID DOLAK
Professor of Instruction in Environmental Science Emeritus 1999-2026
JOAN GIROUX
Professor of Studio Art Emerita 2006-2026
CHRIS KOULES
Associate Professor of Design Emeritus 1986-2025
ILYA LEVINSON
Professor of Music Emeritus 1996-2025
FRANCES MAGGIO
Associate Professor of Theatre Emerita 1982-2026
ANNIKA MARIE
Associate Professor of Art History Emerita 2007-2025
TIMOTHY McCASKEY
Associate Professor of Physics Emeritus 2010-2025
LUIS NASSER Professor of Physics Emeritus 2008-2025
SUSAN PADVEEN
Associate Professor of Theatre Emerita 1990-2025
ROSITA SANDS
Professor of Music Emeritus 2000-2026
BRIAN SHAW
Professor of Theatre Emeritus 1988-2026
EUNJU SOHN
Associate Professor of Mathematics Emerita 2012-2025
DAVID WOOLLEY
Professor of Instruction in Theatre Emeritus 1985-2026
HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS
Each year, Columbia College Chicago confers honorary degrees on individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts, journalism and the media, education, politics, and the business world. Their professional accomplishments, creative vision, and social and political engagement truly embody the highest ideals of the college.
TOI L. SALTER
TO BE HONORED SUNDAY, MAY 17, 11:00 A.M.
Toi Salter is CEO and Founder of Salter Financial Management LLC, where she oversees the financial affairs of professional athletes and a media personality. With 29 years of experience in finance, she has built a career defined by strategic leadership, trusted counsel, and a commitment to protecting and growing her clients’ wealth.
Ms. Salter is passionate about serving professional athletes after seeing the consequences of poor financial guidance. Determined to provide a higher standard of counsel, she built a firm and team that includes some of the wealth industry’s most respected institutions and top-tier financial professionals. Her client-first approach has contributed to lasting success for those she serves.
Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, Toi’s goal was always to employ herself. Her path to success was nontraditional, shaped by instinct, resilience, and purpose. That vision has fueled a career marked by professional achievement, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
Toi is committed to causes that strengthen the African American community. An advocate for youth and higher education, she has devoted leadership to fundraising efforts across Chicagoland. She has helped raise more than $3 million for UNCF Chicago and was featured in UNCF’s annual report, “The Power of One.” She also chaired the Chicago Urban League’s Golden Fellowship Dinner in 2024 and 2025, setting fundraising records and raising more than $7 million. In total, she has helped raise more than $12.5 million for organizations she has championed.
Among her honors, Toi was featured in Unselfish Women, Recognizing 100 Women Making a Difference. She has also received the Game Changer honor from Kia Motors and Uptown Magazine, the Black Women’s Expo Phenomenal Women Special Recognition Award, UNCF’s Trailblazer Award, the 2024 Citizen of the Year honor from Omega Psi Phi Iota Chapter, the 2025 Chicago Urban League’s Lester H. McKeever Jr. Individual Service Award, and the Chicago Defender’s 2026 Woman of the Year recognition.
Toi holds a B.S. in Commerce from DePaul University, a Master of Accountancy from National University, and an M.S. in Financial Planning from the College of Financial Planning. She holds the CFP designation, belongs to The BOW Collective, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and resides in Chicago, Illinois.
YOLANDA “YO-YO” WHITAKER
TO BE HONORED SUNDAY, MAY 17, 4:30 P.M.
A Grammy-nominated hip-hop icon, actress, educator, and philanthropist, Dr. Yolanda “Yo-Yo” Whitaker is a former Ice Cube protege who cemented her legacy with classics like “You Can’t Play with My Yo-Yo” and “Bonnie & Clyde Theme.” As an actress, she has appeared in the Oscar-nominated Boyz N the Hood, Sister Act II, and Martin. Today, she continues entertaining audiences on the second season of AspireTV’s Downright Delicious with Yo-Yo cooking show also on Prime Video, Disney+’s Saturdays, A&E’s Hip Hop Treasures, VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Hollywood, BET Her Live!, BET+’s Double Cross, and the award-winning, nationally syndicated Café Mocha radio show.
Yo-Yo has educated youth on music and literacy for over thirteen years through the Yo-Yo School of Hip Hop. She celebrates her 35th year as the founder of the Intelligent Black Woman’s Coalition (IBWC). She is an ambassador for the Black College Expo, Latino College Expo, and National College Resource Foundation. President Biden honored her in 2021 and 2022 with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. Leaders Esteem Christian Bible University awarded her an honorary doctorate in humanitarianism. In 2024, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. inducted her as an honorary member. In 2026, Yo-Yo will launch the Remix of IBWC encouraging women with purpose to join the movement.
Yo-Yo is a board member of the National Museum of African American Music and the Universal Hip Hop Museum. She receives more than 3 million social media impressions per month.
Yo-Yo is a woman of God, mother of two, and grandmother of one.
PAST HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS
2025
JOSEPH SIKORA ’98 Film, Stage, and Television Actor
MARCOS “KOSINE” PALACIOS ’06 Grammy-Nominated Producer and Creative Entrepreneur
2024
RAYMOND E. CROSSMAN President, Adler University
NIVINE MEGAHED President, National Louis University
2023
CHRISTOPHER N. JONES Chief Theatre Critic, Chicago Tribune
BOBBI WILSYN Musician and Teacher
2022
DANNY FENSTER ’09 Journalist
MODESTO VALLE Chief Executive Officer, Center on Halsted
2021
DAVID BROZ, LINDA CHÁVEZ, SCOTT HURST, STEPHEN MILLER, BRIAN VITALE, AND MEGHAN WEBSTER Columbia College Chicago Student Center Design Team, Gensler
MICHAEL K. GOI ’80 Cinematographer and Director
DOMINIC A. PACYGA Historian of Chicago
2020
NONE (Columbia held a reduced Commencement because of the global COVID-19 pandemic)
2019
ELZIE L. HIGGINBOTTOM Real Estate Developer and Civic Leader
CHERYL JOHNSON-ODIM Scholar, Human Rights Activist, and Senior Academic Administrator
ANTHONY SARABIA ’92 Former Chicago Public Radio Reporter and News Anchor
2018
DAWOUD BEY MacArthur Fellowship-Winning Photographer and Professor
PAUL B. BROUCEK ’74 President of Music, Warner Bros. Pictures
JENNIFER FARRINGTON ’93 President and CEO, Chicago Children’s Museum
MARY A. MITCHELL ’91 Columnist and Editorial Board Member, Chicago Sun-Times
2017
DAVID CROMER Theatre Director and Stage Actor
MARK E. KELLY Former Vice President for Student Success, Columbia College Chicago
RICHARD P. KIPHART Former Chair, Columbia College Chicago Board of Trustees (honored in memoriam)
KERRY JAMES MARSHALL Artist
JUDY AND DENNIS SHEPARD Activists for LGBT Equality
2016
PAUL GARNES ’96 Television and Movie Producer
JANE LYNCH Actor, Singer, and Comedian
TRACY K. SMITH Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet
CARLOS TORTOLERO Founder and President, National Museum of Mexican Art
DIANE WARREN Grammy Award-Winning Songwriter
2015
LEONARD C. AMATO ’75 President, HBO Films
CHESTER M. GREGORY ’95 Stage Actor and Singer
JOSEFINA LÓPEZ ’93 Playwright, Screenwriter, and Theatre Producer
ANNA D. SHAPIRO ’90 Tony Award-Winning Theatre Director
NAN R. WARSHAW, MA ’93 Co-Founder, Bloodshot Records
2014
JEANNE GANG Architect
JIM JACOBS Composer, Lyricist, and Playwright
TONY KARMAN Promoter of Contemporary Art
GORDON QUINN Documentary Filmmaker
DIANE RAVITCH Professor and Historian of Education
PAST HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS
2013
WARRICK L. CARTER President, Columbia College Chicago
JANE HAMILTON Novelist
HERBIE HANCOCK Pianist, Composer, and Bandleader
LORENZO (RENNIE) HARRIS Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Company Director, and Teacher
MARTHA NUSSBAUM Philosopher
JOSEPH SHANAHAN Founder and Owner, Metro and Smart Bar
JESSICA STOCKHOLDER Artist
ROBERT TEITEL ’90 AND GEORGE TILLMAN JR. ’91 Filmmakers
ALLEN M. TURNER Former Chair, Columbia College Chicago Board of Trustees
2012
PHILIP-LORCA diCORCIA Photographer
LEE FLAHERTY Founder and CEO, Flair Communications Agency
STEVE JAMES Documentary Filmmaker
PHIL RAMONE Record Producer and Recording Engineer
WARREN SPECTOR Video Game Designer
MAVIS STAPLES Grammy Award-Winning Singer
2011
BRUCE MAU Designer
RYAN SCHREIBER Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Pitchfork
REGINA TAYLOR Actress and Playwright
2010
ROBERT KLEIN Actor and Comedian
ALEX KOTLOWITZ Author and Journalist
PETER MAGUBANE Photographer
2009
LEE ELIOT BERK Former President, Berklee College of Music
RAY BRADBURY Science Fiction Writer
TRISHA BROWN Dancer and Choreographer
CARLA DELFOS Executive Director, European League of Institutes of the Arts
ALISON KNOWLES Artist
THOMAS MISNER Audio Education Entrepreneur
KUNIHIKO UKIFUNE Advocate for Vocational Education
2008
PHILIP BAILEY, RALPH JOHNSON, MAURICE WHITE, VERDINE WHITE Band Members, Earth, Wind & Fire
GRACIELA ITURBIDE Photographer
DAN RATHER Broadcast Journalist
2007
JOE ADAMS Business Manager and Music Producer
ARMYAN BERNSTEIN Film Producer, Screenwriter, and Director
DIONNE WARWICK Grammy Award-Winning Singer
2006
BUDDY GUY Blues Musician
LINDA JOHNSON RICE President and CEO, Johnson Publishing Company
BERNARD SAHLINS Founder, The Second City
2005
MARK HEISTER Fashion Designer
ALAN KAY Computer Scientist
BILL VIOLA Video Artist
2004
BILL T. JONES MacArthur Fellowship-Winning Choreographer and Dancer
MARY ELLEN MARK Photographer and Humanist
FRANK RICH Columnist and Drama Critic, New York Times
2003
HENRY FOGEL President, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
TONY KUSHNER Playwright
RUSSELL SIMMONS Music Producer, Entrepreneur, and Hip-Hop Pioneer
LOIS WEISBERG Commissioner, Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago
JOHN EDGAR WIDEMAN Writer
2002
ALAN ARKIN Screen Actor and Director
LEWIS MANILOW Founder, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
GRACE PALEY Writer and Political Activist
JAWOLE WILLA JO ZOLLAR Choreographer and Founder, Urban Bush Women
2001
MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV Dancer and Choreographer
DANNY K. DAVIS United States Representative, 7th Congressional District, Illinois
ALTON B. HARRIS Chair, Columbia College Chicago Board of Trustees
JESSE L. JACKSON JR. United States Representative, 2nd Congressional District, Illinois
LISEL MUELLER Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet
HAROLD RAMIS Film Director and Screenwriter
JOHN SZARKOWSKI Curator and Photographer
2000
ORAL LEE BROWN Philanthropist and Child Education Advocate
SIDNEY L. PORT Philanthropist and Businessman
ROBERT V. REMINI Historian
ROBERT SHAYE Founder and CEO, New Line Cinema
1999
SHERMAN JOSEPH ALEXIE JR. Novelist, Poet, and Filmmaker
ARTHUR C. NIELSEN JR. Former President and Chairman, A.C. Nielsen Company
SARA PARETSKY Mystery Writer
WILLIAM E. STRICKLAND JR. President and CEO, Manchester Bidwell Corporation
1998
JOHN H. BRYAN Chairman and CEO, Sara Lee Corporation
DAVID HENRY HWANG Tony Award-Winning Playwright and Screenwriter
MOMMA HAWK Educator and Children’s Advocate
WILLIAM WARFIELD Singer and Actor
1997
JAMES W. COMPTON President and CEO, Chicago Urban League
MARGARET CORBETT DALEY First Lady of the City of Chicago
FRED EYCHANER Media Innovator and Philanthropist
1996
ISABEL ALLENDE Writer
RICHARD HUNT Sculptor
IRV KUPCINET Chicago Sun-Times Gossip Columnist and Television Talk Show Host
JOHN W. ROGERS JR. Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Ariel Capital Management
PAUL SIMON United States Senator, Illinois
PAST HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS
1995
EUGENE C. D’ANGELO JR. Television News Innovator
SANDRA P. GUTHMAN President and CEO, Polk Bros. Foundation
JOHN H. JOHNSON Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Johnson Publishing Company
ANN LANDERS Syndicated Advice Columnist
VICTOR SKREBNESKI Photographer
BEN VEREEN Stage and Film Actor, Dancer, and Singer
1994
MYRLIE EVERS-WILLIAMS Civil Rights Activist
JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN Presidential Medal of Freedom-Winning Historian
HAGE G. GEINGOB Prime Minister, Republic of Namibia
JOHN T. RICHARDSON Former President, DePaul University
RITA SIMÓ Founder and Executive Director, The People’s Music School
1993
JANE ALEXANDROFF Former First Lady of Columbia College Chicago
ETTA MOTEN BARNETT Singer, Actress, and Chicago Civic Leader
RIGOBERTA MENCHU Nobel Peace Laureate, 1992
CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN United States Senator, Illinois
CINDY PRITZKER President, Board of Directors, Chicago Public Library
COKIE ROBERTS Senior News Analyst, National Public Radio
1992
HENRY AARON Hall-of-Fame Baseball Player
MATHILDE KRIM Medical Researcher and Founding Chair, American Foundation for AIDS Research
HEDRICK L. SMITH Journalist
1991
WILLARD L. BOYD President, Field Museum of Chicago
JOHNATHAN RODGERS President, Television Stations Division, CBS
HELEN VALDEZ President, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum
DOUGLAS TURNER WARD Founding Artistic Director, The Negro Ensemble Company
1990
LEON DESPRES Former Alderman, City of Chicago
FAITH HUBLEY Academy Award-Winning Animated Filmmaker
YOUSUF KARSH Photographer
CLARENCE PAGE Syndicated Columnist
HASKELL WEXLER Academy Award-Winning Cinematographer
1989
LEON LEDERMAN Nobel Laureate in Physics, 1988
BERNARD LOWN Cardiologist and Nobel Peace Laureate, 1985
STERLING STUCKEY Historian
BERNICE WEISSBOURD Founder and President, Family Focus
1988
JOHN BIRKS “DIZZY” GILLESPIE Jazz Trumpeter
ARDIS KRAINIK General Director, Lyric Opera of Chicago
MIKE ROYKO Newspaper Columnist
KENNETH G. RYDER President, Northeastern University
WILLIAM JULIUS WILSON Sociologist
1987
JACK BRICKHOUSE Sportscaster
MARGARET BURROUGHS Founder, DuSable Museum
PASTORA SAN JUAN CAFFERTY Professor, University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration
LAWRENCE K. GROSSMAN President, NBC News
IRVING B. HARRIS Businessman and Philanthropist
JAMES HIGHTOWER Commissioner, Texas Department of Agriculture
1986
RUTH ADAMS Editor, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
WILLIAM D. FORD United States Representative, 15th Congressional District, Michigan
FRED FRIENDLY Broadcast Journalist and Educator
LINUS PAULING Nobel Laureate (Chemistry, 1954; Peace, 1962)
RANDALL ROBINSON Executive Director, TransAfrica
1985
JAMES HOGE Publisher, New York Daily News
RAY NORDSTRAND President, WFMT, Inc.
CONOR CRUISE O’BRIEN Diplomat and Author
EILEEN SOUTHERN Musicologist
1984
PAMELA HARRIMAN Democratic Party Activist
JOHN LEWIS Composer, Pianist, and Founder of the Modern Jazz Quartet
VICTOR NAVASKY Editor, The Nation
WILLIAM APPLEMAN WILLIAMS Historian
1983
MARJORIE CRAIG BENTON United States Representative to UNICEF
CHRISTOPHER JENCKS Sociologist
MARCEL OPHÜLS Documentary Filmmaker
HAROLD WASHINGTON Mayor, City of Chicago
1982
HELEN CALDICOTT Anti-Nuclear Activist
SHERRY LANSING President, 20th Century Fox
LUIS VALDEZ Playwright and Artistic Director, El Teatro Campesino
JAMES VAN DER ZEE Photographer
GARRY WILLS Historian
1981
MICHAEL CACOYANNIS Filmmaker
HARRY EDWARDS Sociologist
MARILYN FRENCH Writer and Feminist Activist
FRANKLIN A. LONG Chemist
GEORGE Mc GOVERN Former United States Senator and Presidential Candidate
1980
HERMON D. SMITH Chairman, Field Foundation of Illinois
HARRY WEESE Architect
LOIS WILLE Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist
RONALD WILLIAMS President, Northeastern Illinois University
1979
MAYA ANGELOU Poet and Memoirist
JOHN FISCHETTI Pulitzer Prize-Winning Editorial Cartoonist
CARLOS FUENTES Novelist
TOM WICKER Journalist
JESSIE WOODS Director, Urban Gateways
1978
CARLOS CHÁVEZ Composer and Conductor
ROBERT COLES Child Psychiatrist, Professor, and Author
EDGAR Y. “YIP” HARBURG Lyricist
ABBY MANN Emmy and Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter
ADDIE WYATT Labor and Civil Rights Leader
PAST HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS
1977
ORIANA FALLACI Journalist
MARIA MARTINEZ Potter
GORDON PARKS SR. Photographer, Filmmaker, and Author
DANIEL SCHORR Broadcast Journalist
ELIOT WIGGINTON Oral Historian and Folklorist
1976
ED BULLINS Playwright
JOHN HAMMOND Record Producer
JONATHAN KOZOL Educator and Social Critic
KATHARINE KUH Museum Curator and Gallery Owner
ROMAN VISHNIAC Photographer and Biologist
1975
GEORGE W. BONHAM Editor-in-Chief, Change
SEYMOUR M. HERSH Pulitzer Prize-Winning Reporter
ARTHUR MITCHELL Director, Dance Theatre of Harlem
ADA “BRICKTOP” SMITH Cabaret Artist and Club Owner
ALEC WILDER Composer
1974
IVAN ALBRIGHT Artist
JAMES T. FARRELL Writer
ALBERT E. JENNER JR. Attorney
RUTH PAGE Dancer and Choreographer
CHARLEMAE ROLLINS Librarian, Chicago Public Library
1973
BOB FOSSE Stage and Film Choreographer
JAMES B. HOLDERMAN Executive Director, Illinois Board of Higher Education
MYLES F. HORTON Director, Highlander Folk School
ROSA PARKS Civil Rights Activist
HARRISON E. SALISBURY Associate Editor, New York Times
1972
CHESTER “HOWLIN’ WOLF” BURNETT Blues Musician
PAULINE KAEL Film Critic
NEWTON N. MINOW Attorney and Former Chairman, Federal Communications Commission
BILL RUSSELL Former NBA All-Star
NEIL SHEEHAN Reporter, New York Times
QUENTIN D. YOUNG National Chairman, Medical Committee for Human Rights
1971
KAY BOYLE Writer
CHARLES G. HURST JR. President, Malcolm X College
JOSEPH PAPP Director, New York Public Theatre and Shakespeare Festival
WILLIAM PROXMIRE United States Senator, Wisconsin
AARON SISKIND Photographer and Teacher
1970
WILLIAM M. BIRENBAUM President, Staten Island College
R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER Architect
FANNIE LOU HAMER Civil Rights Activist
FRANK REYNOLDS Broadcast Journalist
1969
ANN IDA GANNON President, Mundelein College
DAVID HALBERSTAM Pulitzer Prize-Winning Reporter
CHARLES WILBERT WHITE Artist
1968
EDWARD KENNEDY “DUKE” ELLINGTON Composer and Bandleader
RALPH NADER Consumer Advocate
LOUIS J. “STUDS” TERKEL Radio Journalist and Oral Historian
1967
NORMAN CORWIN Radio Journalist, Radio Dramatist, and Screenwriter
DWIGHT W. FOLLETT Chairman and President, Follett Corporation
LANGSTON HUGHES Poet (honored in memoriam)
KENNETH F. MONTGOMERY Attorney
1966
JOHN BRADEMAS United States Representative, 3rd Congressional District, Indiana
FREDERICK DOUGLASS O’NEAL President, Actors’ Equity
EUGENE RABINOWITCH Editor, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
1965
PAUL HAMILTON ENGLE Poet and Teacher
CURTIS D. M acDOUGALL Journalist and Teacher
1964
GWENDOLYN BROOKS Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS
Gregory G. Albright
Strategic Communication
Evangelina Celeste Avila
User Experience and Interaction Design
Cassidy Noelle Casanova
Media for Social Impact
Alicia E. Crayton
Media for Social Impact
Greta E. Dondit
Strategic Communication
Grace Ellen Donovan
Strategic Communication
Jared Andrew Eyler
Media for Social Impact
Giulianna Rodrigues Galli
Strategic Communication
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS MANAGEMENT
Nicole Danielle Bratcher-Bouyer
Campbell Harvey
Astrid Zelia Regina Marie
Houze de l’Aulnoit
Mariela Lozano
Strategic Communication
Fidan Nuriyeva
User Experience and Interaction Design
Sayma Riaz
Entrepreneurship for Creatives
Sylwia Szopa
User Experience and Interaction Design
Lillian M. Thomas
User Experience and Interaction Design
Daiya Toran
Strategic Communication
Abbie C. Waterman
Media for Social Impact
Olivia Sun
Riana Javette Ward
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
Ximena Alarcon
Fine Arts
River Bartlett
Photography
Thien Hoang Bui
Cinema and Television Directing
Songming Cai
Cinema and Television Directing
Gabrielle Lauren Carmenate
Creative Writing
Alex Chen
Photography
Jee Hee Chung
Fine Arts
Ade Tariq Davis
Music Composition for the Screen
Jingyan Dou
Cinema and Television Directing
Samuel Donald Garner
Music Composition for the Screen
Michael Scott Finger
Creative Writing
Ariel S. Glassman
Music Composition for the Screen
Nicole Marie Hagg
Fine Arts
Hugh Edwin Duncan Hawthorne
Music Composition for the Screen
Stephanie Patricia Hill
Photography
Riley Hodges
Music Composition for the Screen
Stephane Urvins Joseph
Cinema and Television Directing
Ildar Kamalov
Music Composition for the Screen
Caitlin M. Kellythompson
Photography
Henny Junghyun Kim
Music Composition for the Screen
Maya Jade Kimble
Cinema and Television Directing
Tonica T. Laws
Fine Arts
Frederique Le Duc-Moreau
Music Composition for the Screen
Pyunghwa Lee
Music Composition for the Screen
Jalyn M. Lewis
Music Composition for the Screen
Yueqing Li
Music Composition for the Screen
Carli C. Martinez
Creative Writing
Katelyn Nee
Photography
Ravia Rasool
Cinema and Television Directing
Kayla R. Smith
Fine Arts
Dylan Andrew Unrau Terry
Creative Writing
Caden Mark Stephen Wiles
Creative Writing
Hei Man Crystal Yip
Music Composition for the Screen
Seungho Youm
Music Composition for the Screen
Linhan Zhang
Cinema and Television Directing
Yajie Zhang
Cinema and Television Directing
Yinuo Zhao
Cinema and Television Directing
Weijia Zhou
Cinema and Television Directing
Samson Ari Ziegelman
Cinema and Television Directing
GRADUATION WITH ACADEMIC HONORS
Columbia College Chicago undergraduates who graduate with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.75 are recognized as having graduated with academic honors. Students with a 3.75–3.79 GPA graduate cum laude (“with honors”); students with a 3.80–3.89 GPA graduate magna cum laude (“with high honors”); and students with a 3.90–4.00 GPA graduate summa cum laude (“with highest honors”). These students wear a gold tassel on their mortarboards at Commencement, and their names are listed with an asterisk in the program.
HONORS PROGRAM GRADUATES
The following 2026 graduates of Columbia’s undergraduate Honors Program have successfully completed the requisite number of Honors course credits in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum and have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher over the course of their college career. At Commencement, Honors Program graduates wear a gold Honors stole on which is embroidered the college seal.
Karla Irene Aleman*
Lizbeth Baeza*
Amanda C. Baity
Antonia Renee Butka*
Ximena Cardenas-Lopez
Cadence J. Claypoole
Ashley Kailey Colinet*
Ashley Cruz*
Laura Patricia Cruz
Michele d’Alessandro*
Jenna Rose Davis*
Nina Domanus*
Zora E. Dunlap*
Jorge A. Duran*
Lottie B. Eldridge*
Clara Fasani Odetti*
Alexis Fichtel*
Elizabeth Leigh Fowlkes
Tyler K. Francis*
Sofia Rose Giunta*
Abigail M. Gordon*
Avery R. Grey*
Ava Caroline Harper
Chase D. Hartman*
Hedaya M. Hasan
Kyli Hawks*
Faith K. Hogan*
Hannah R. Holland-Rutledge*
Kailen-Jae K. Houy-Ward
Michael Jaden Hyman
Katia D. Jackson*
Bailey Kollasch*
Stefanija Kostovska*
Ana Sofia Lara Perez*
Kate Julianne Laluma Larroder*
Alexander J. Leon*
Nataly N. Leyva*
Elizabeth K. Loftus*
Diego Madrigal Cruz*
Dominick Dean Mauri
Jonah David Maxwell
Olivia Adelle Miller*
Logan Maxwell Neill*
Pip Neuman*
Cindy Nicasio*
Livia Rose Overton*
Ethan E. Pandolfi*
Mia G. Paulus*
Natalija Plavšic*
Alison Georgia Postilion-Lopez*
Nick A. Pulley*
Nadia R. Salahuddin*
Devon Alexzander Saxman*
Emma K. Schmucker*
Taylor Joline Schwamb*
Julia Alexsandra Sikora*
Amelia Marie Smith*
Kaytlin Diane Smith*
Maya R. Stokes*
Natalie Ann Tadda*
Anya M. Tapley*
Ahoud Saleh Thabet*
Kyla J. Thomas
Alvaro Troncoso*
Cadence Joy Fernandez Uzarraga*
Nicole L. Vandewalker*
Adilene Vega
Alex M. Wanke*
Rylan T. Wilder*
Nathaniel Worley*
Tyler D. Zolynsky*
CANDIDATES FOR THE
SECOND BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE
Andres Correa*
Lisa Creveling*
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS
Sidney R. Abbott
Sophia M. Abdella
Abel R. Aboye
Anthony Avelino Abruzzo
Benicio L. Acevedo
Logan Wyatt Acosta
Nyaira C. Adams
Nicholas Addison
Katelyn K. Adler*
Evalunna Delmar Agosto Gonzalez
Francine Garay Agsalud
Carlee Aguilar
Ruby Aguilar-Ortega
Daniela Aguirre
Jenna Ahrens*
Mary Maxetzy Alamilla
Mariana E. Alanis
Andy Alexandria Alcott
Samantha Alejandre
Karla Irene Aleman*
Dakota R. Alexander*
Tammer M. Ali*
Ethan X. Alonzo
Khalif E. Alston
Cameron Alumbaugh
Pablo J. Alvarado
Nicholas Alwi*
Michaela G. Ambrose
Olivia Ames
Brandon Anaya
Vanesa Mia Elizondo
Naomi Elizabeth Lacy
Mateo Anaya
Camron A. Anderson
Evan Anderson
Ricardo A. Anderson
Simone Borisova Andonova
Andy B. Anisco
Soraya M. Annibali
Jacob Araiza
Leticia D. Arce Centeno
Alexander J. Arceo
Eddie Alonso Arias Quito
Alexis Ariza
Grace Marie Armstrong*
Lauren Arnieri
Tragen G. Arthur
Ley Isabel Askar
Arielle H. Atar
Marina C. Atkin
Mackenzie Ann Atwood
Joshua Paul Auer
Tupac M. Austin
Catherine Hazel Avery*
Gabriella M. Ayon
Rasheed A. Ayoola
Lizbeth Baeza*
Bee Bagley
Gabriela Bahena
Eli J. Bahner
Tara Baiti
Amanda C. Baity
Nicholas Evan Svoboda*
Sihan Wang Alexandra D. Whigham*
Maximillian Jared Balderston
Sonia R. Balzak*
Elizabeth Madison Tagulao Banayat
Janaya A. Banks*
Shamya Marie Banks*
Ymari S. Banuelos
Antonio M. Barajas*
Elizabeth Delia Barbosa*
Adam Barela
Gianna Grace Barger
Lance B. Barnett
Chelsea Barranco
Bryan Barrera
Dante R. Barrera
Sabrina Christine Barrow-Bailey*
Magdalena Agnieszka Barwacz
Ashley Bates
Angely Gabriela Bautista
Tanner Michael Paul Beattie
Lewis Pierce Beaver*
Kyana M. Bedford
Aaliyah Regina Begay
Zachary Beil
Emma E. Bell
Michael S. Bell
Angie Belloso
Sabrina Belmonte
Judah Evan Bernstein
Amaya M. Berry
Julian Paul Bertolini
Max W. Bertrand
Anna Best
Carson Tobin Bettwy
Antara Bhateja
Miranda G. Bianchi
Jacquelyn Bill
Alexander Kenneth Bingham
Brielle Alnyx Dablack
Diana Marie Black
Eel Paige Black
Schalen D. Blackman-Bennett
Jayda Michelle Bland
Briona Blosser*
Charlotte M. Boda
George W. Bodenstein
Ariana O. Bolanos*
Marco Douglas Drake Bonanno
Leonidas Borak
Dino Bougiotopoulos
Lauren Raye Boulant
Jala N. Bowers
Maya Rain Bowers
Isaac D. Bowman
Sean M. Boyd*
Matthew Ronald Brady*
Ra’d Branch
Cal Brandell
Jason W. Branom*
Alexis L. Braun
Toby Bresnahan* *With academic honors
CANDIDATES FOR THE
DEGREE
OF BACHELOR OF ARTS
Aldo Briceno Gonzalez*
Finley Silas Brisko*
Krystof Bristol
Elizabeth M. Bronaugh
Emma Raquel Brooks*
Alexis Brown
Aliya Brown*
Amanda N. Brown
Autumn Brown*
Calme Simon Brown
Carley A. Brown*
John Anthony Lavalle Brown
Jonah R. Brown
Skye B. Brunelle
Beatrice A. Brynda*
Isaiah Buchanan
Naila Y. Buckner*
Maria Jose Bueno*
Dynae Bulliner
Sa’Nai N. Burgess*
Keiran P. Burke
Antonia Renee Butka*
Apryl Cage
Zariya M. Caldwell
Grace Christine Cali*
Meliha Calisir*
Leah Camacho
Luke Connor Cambronne
Collin Campbell
Ja’Mia Campbell
Malik Deontae Campbell*
Carlos M. Campos
Rebeca Campos
Mikaela Rose Candau*
Marco Giovanni Cannici
Javier Carbajal Puntos
Ximena Cardenas-Lopez
Brianna N. Cardis
Blaise E. Carley
Diamond London Carlsen
Alphia E. Carlson
Aylin Carmona*
Xavier Elias Carranza
El Carrel*
Fabiola Carreno-Rodriguez
Mario Carrera
Lasundra S. Carter
Shayla Carter
Sincere A. Carter
Tamera Le’niece Cash
Iyana Y. Casimiro*
Astrid Castaneda
Lorraine A. Castaneda*
Oscar Castaneda*
Sara Natalia Castanedo*
Yanely Castellanos
Destiny S. Castillo
Tristan Casto*
Joseph Claudius Cates
Greta Mae Cavotta
Uriel A. Centeno
Antonella Cevallos
Ayla Chandola*
Zhipeng Chen
Oliver Chen
Ching Yueh Cheng*
Jonathan M. Chester
Andria N. Childress
Minahil Choudhary
Max Christensen
Isaac L. Christophe
Max Lee Cichon
Michelle Elizabeth Clarke
Alexis Denise Clash
Cadence J. Claypoole
Stella Sue Clayton
Makayla Mae-Louise Cobbs Ogundipe
June Coghill
Morgan Coken
Emonie L. Coleman
Ashley Kailey Colinet*
Dwayne Anthony Collier
Devin Wade Collins
Danyelle K. Collymore
Jiovanni N. Colon
Cassidy Colvin*
Fiona Connors
Marisol Contreras*
Yahaira Contreras
Laila Simone Cook
Breanna Love Lee Cooper
Kira Jean Cooper*
Victoria McKaye Cornelson
Andrea Corona*
Ashley Corona
Anele Correa
Jocelyn Cortez
Michael Cortez
Ava Cossolotto*
Augustus V. Costanzo
Mathew Cristobal
CeCe Crochet
Campbell Stephen Crose
Asia Alice Crumb
Jesus Esteban Cruz
Laura Patricia Cruz
Kyle Cubias
Ying Cui
Riley A. Culberson
Evan Michael Culbertson
Nathan Richard Dado*
Michele d’Alessandro*
Finn Myles D’Alessio
Ramina Daood
Roisin M. Darby
Winter Rose D’Arcy
Krishnan Basant Dash
Cydni R’chelle Davis
Jayden M. Davis
Julian A. Davis
Thea M. Davis
Rashawn O. Davis-Guajardo
Carl De la Cruz
Danielle Maria De La Rosa
Quinn de Leon
Alexis D. De Ocampo*
Sam Dedrick
Camden C. Degarmo
Adrian David Delacruz
Janet Delgado
Kathryn McRae Dennis
Nevaeh Marie Lynn Derkis
Olivia Priya Devaraj
Brenda Diaz
Danielle Veronica Diaz
Joshua Diaz
Sarah A. Diaz*
Lucas Carey Dillin
Audrey Blythe Dingler*
Jesse L. Dixon*
Eric Doane
Joshua Ryan Dobrosky
Molly Dodd
Nina Domanus*
Caroline Francesca Dominic-Giordano*
Sarah Isabella Donnelly
Jeremy C. Donofrio
Stuart Wence Pelikan Doperalski
Adeline E. Dorsey*
Mary Alexandria Dorsey
Christian Douglas
Anthony Draper
Ellie A. Draus*
Tenia K. Dres*
Wynn Droz
Nadejda Alexandrovna Dudkin
Hope R. Dugan*
Chandler R. Dukes*
Iyianah E. Duncan
Diondre Dunigan
Jasmine Laniece Dunigan*
Zora E. Dunlap*
Jorge A. Duran*
Virginia Durlacher
Caleb Earick
Jalyn R. Earl
Stacia Earle
Justin Jermaine Echols
Amir J. Edwards*
Jazlynn N. Edwards
Michelle Edwards*
Lottie B. Eldridge*
Jenna R. Elfers
Jacob D. Elias
DeAndre K. Elliott II
Syd Ellis
Moises Encarnacion
Nayelli Enriquez
Payton Leigh Erby*
Marcus L. Escoto
Jacob A. Eskuri
Gerardo Ivan Esparza
Siclaly Esparza
Matthew C. Estes
Sage Brazil Eubanks
Lauren Evans*
Ross James Evans
Viola K. Everett
Matthew Gregory Eydelman
Zoe Elaine Falcon
Hannah L. Fanning
Maia R. Farmer*
Clara Fasani Odetti*
Evan Feeley
Benji Rey Felix
Michael A. Ferguson
Leonardo D. Ferme
Tiara Fields
Nayeli Josefina Figueroa*
Aiden Fijal*
Aidan T. Finn
Leslie Fitz
Lewis S. Fletcher
Justin Tiensheng Flores
Daniel J. Flowers
Mora Shea Forkapa*
Jonathan A. Francis
Alonna C. Frazier*
Mina L. Fredona
Parker M. Freeman*
Cecilia Frias*
Nicholas C. Frieders*
Grace Friend*
Xaiver W. Frierson*
Rachel Friling*
Natalie M. Frisch
Wyatt Michael Fritts
Isabel G. Frueh
David A. Fuentes
Rylee Kathleen Fulmer
Owen T. Gainer
Elijah Gallaugher
Denise Gallo Peralta
Daniela Galvez
Lukas Sabino Gandara
Alex Garcia
Armanni L. Garcia*
Carla Cecilia Garcia
Esmeralda Garcia Mejia*
Ismael Garcia
Julieta Noemi Garcia
Kathryn Isabella Garcia
Destiny Garner*
Noah Garren
Fiona E. Garrity
Amanda Garza*
Olivia Gaska*
Mana D. Gatkek
Lizbeth Gaytan Ortega
David M. Geisler
Giada J. Gemelli*
Shay A. Gensch
Tanisha Ajay Gharpure*
Joseph Anthony Ghelfi
Richard Gibbs III
Ainsley Josephine Gibson*
Gavin Riley Gilbert
Kayla Denise Gillespie*
Kiersta Gilliland*
Charles Fredrick Napoleon Gillum
Jessica Ghahbbrielle Gilmer
Destiny J. Gist
Sofia Rose Giunta*
Matthew L. Glasper
Carenza Glastonbury*
Joseph Misha Goff*
Emma Jean Golden
Henry Golden
Jasara Goldsborough*
Vanessa Gomez-Olivares*
Alex C. Gonzalez
Alex D. Gonzalez
Claudia Rose Gonzalez
David Gonzalez*
Irvin Gabriel Gonzalez*
Maliyah M. Gonzalez
Olivia A. Gonzalez*
Tobias L. Goodman
Abigail M. Gordon*
Mitali Tushar Gosavi
Kendel Rose Graham
Carson A. Graves
Emma Green
Kyle N. Green
Avery R. Grey*
James Griffin
Leili Grzybowski
Yuhan Gu*
Catherine L. Guerrero
Mauricio I. Guerrero*
Miguel A. Guerrero
Feihong Guo*
Amaya Elvia Gusman*
Fatima Gutierrez Badilla
Kevin L. Gutierrez
Maria Soleda Gutierrez
Rodrigo R. Gutierrez
Nabeeha Haider
CANDIDATES FOR THE
DEGREE
OF BACHELOR OF ARTS
Isaac Haley
Elute E. Hall
Payton A. Hall*
Riley Hannon*
Caleb Hardaway*
Kennedy Brooke Hardy
Ariel Hargrove*
Declan Paul Harkin*
Grace Harold*
Katelynn Harp*
Ava Caroline Harper
Eliza M. Harris
Taylor Hartline
Chase D. Hartman*
Hedaya M. Hasan
Kyli Hawks*
Zarin A. Hawthorne*
Emily Hayes*
Hanin Maria Hazboun Villela*
Monica A. Healy*
Takyra N. Heard
Charly Heber-Spates*
Lauren Heggen
Samantha H. Heggen
Madeleine Judith Heglin
Jasmin N. Henderson
Kathryn Lauren Hensley
Abigail Y. Hernandez
Dario Antonio Hernandez*
Jesus E. Hernandez
Natalie G. Hernandez
Richard Hernandez
Alexandria Jade Hernandez-Sortore
Oliver E. Herold
Saul J. Herrera
Isaiah E. Hibbs
Chelsea A. Hicks
Lawrence Howell Hight-Goggin*
Michael Hilgen*
Jeancarlos R. Hill
Mia Amorè Hillyer
Emma Himley
Justin Hind
Noella Christelle Hirwa
Sarah Alise Hobson
Lucy J. Hoffman
Lilee Gina Hoffman*
Faith K. Hogan*
Adam S. Hoglund
Skylar Anne Holder
Jeffery L Holmes Jr.
Bella Hornz
Kailen-Jae K. Houy-Ward
Kenneth B. Howard
Grace Lynn Howell
Ashlee Victoria Huizinga*
Theodore T. Huml*
Maizie Moon Hummel-Logee*
Arianna Halle Hunter
Elyse N. Hurt*
Saffron M. Hurt
Jonathan Hurtado
Michael Jaden Hyman
Payton Nahyoung Hyun*
Alejandro Ibarra-Towle*
Kassandra Mia Ilagan
Thomas J. Immordino
Emily Jordon Inthalangsy*
Gabriela Iturralde
Dominic Rocco Iuliucci*
William Izdepski
Eugenia L. Jablon*
Aleksa Toma Jackson
Destiny Amor Jackson
Katia D. Jackson*
Symphony Monay-Lee Jackson
Kieran Jeremiah Jacobs
Jeton B. Jacot
Jordan A. James
Dustin Mitchell Janicki
Phillip MacArthur Jarzen
Kennedy Jade Jeff
De’airreon D. Jefferson
Jalicia S. Jenkins
Simara Khalei Jenkins-Morris
Jazlee Marie Jimenez
Veronica Jimenez
Caitlin R. Jobin*
Louis Jockisch
Rebecca L. Johnesee*
Bee Johnson*
Clem Johnson*
Mitchell J. Johnson*
Scott J. Johnston*
Emma Lynn Jolly
Aaliyah Shana Jones
Brandon Nicholas Jones
Nina E. Jones
Sydney Jones*
Alyse Jones-Phelps
Mary Jordan
Kayla Asia Joseph*
Hyeong Woo Jung
Isabella Jurado*
Artyom Juriga*
Jack Kaefer
Daman Kailas
Angela Kalish*
Alfiya Kamaletdinova
Aimi Kiana Kash
Dylan Charles Kaufmann*
Maeve A. Kelly
Thomas Kresten Kesling Jr.
Mary-Mullis Keyse*
Mickayla Khantivong*
Riley D. Killian
Matthew L. Kim
Patience Kirkland
Paula J. Kleinheksel
Zachary E. Klepser
Annie Kleven
Wyatt Arnold Klug*
Jessie Kocur
Isabelle M. Koev*
Bailey Kollasch*
Julia Koltin
Andre G. Konja*
Sophie R. Konkey*
Alex Koppari*
Katerina Koutavas
Reni J. Krafft*
Josephine Irene Krell
Morgan S. Kromer
Mateusz Kubiak*
Nicholas Behr Kupferberg
Tyler J. Kwiatek
Daniella Laino
Jesus Lamas
Beau Lamb
Olivia Langtiw
Owen Robert LaPorta*
Ana Sofia Lara Perez*
Kate Julianne Laluma Larroder*
Lucas Larson*
Sawyer Latimore
Melaina Joy Laurent
Nicholas Laverde
David Lazcano
Phap A. Le*
Trang Tuyet Le*
Brady A. Lebnick
Lien Hsin Lee
Jacqueline Lee
Sunwoo Lee
Toyia Zaria Lee
Alexander J. Leon*
Jesse Leon
Loreal Shi León
Luke Austin Kline Leonard
Anais Alexia Leon-Cordero*
Mikayla Snow Lerczak*
Carlos Ernesto Lerma Alanís
Jung Yung Leung
Benjamin M. Levy
Benjamin Tree Levy*
Zoe Michelle Lewis
Nataly N. Leyva*
Xuanyi Li
Kennedy René Wakefield Liggins
Hapi D. Lightfoot
Yan Fu Lin*
Déja Linear
Brittany Lingle
Micah Icarus Liss
Tyler Lloyd
Ashley Maigao Lo*
Robin Andrea-Theresa Lockhart*
Elizabeth K. Loftus*
Jacob Bradley Loizzo*
Angelique Lopez
Edgar Lopez Jr.
Emmanuel Robert Lopez
Noemi J. Lopez
Victoria Lopez
Andres J. Lopez-Jimenez*
Joseph S. Lord*
Benjamin Davidson Lowdon
Grayson Keith Löwe*
Karina Lozada Reyes*
Paulina Isabella Lozada-Cortez
Alexander Hong Lu*
Kaya D. Luckey*
Ruby Regina Lundeen
Eleanor Lusciatti*
Cindy Ma
Samara Arlena Mackey
Julia Grace Magel*
Alicia Veronica Maka*
Chrissy Makris
Anthony Mallios*
Brianna Manzo
Melanie Manzo
Cierra Leone Marcano*
Rafael Margarido Sabe
Dylan J. Markette
Gabriela Inanna Marks*
Abigail Martinez Cervantes*
Alecia Zenaida Martinez
Emma Catherine Martinez
Ethan Joseph Martinez
Hai A. Martinez
Manuel Alejandro Martinez*
Sammy L. Martinez
Braxton W. Mastre*
Dasha Mattei
Amber R. Matys*
Dominick Dean Mauri
Adrean Maxwell
Jonah David Maxwell
Cardell D. Maynor
Jamelle Nathaniel Mayor
Jenna Elisabeth McBride*
Anastasia Rose McCarthy
Myles A. McClelland*
Julia Ryan McDaniel
Caleb M. McDermott
Leia M. McFadyen*
Lileeanna V. McFarlane
Ugne McGinnis*
Asia McGraw
Madison McIntosh
Riley McKinney
Anthony M. McMillan
Bobbi Madeline McNamara*
Rebecca McQueen
Kayleigh J. McReynolds
Jett R. McWhorter*
Ian R. Meachum
Lizeth Medina*
Natalie E. Medlock*
Isabela B. Mejia
Guadalupe C. Melesio
Quintin Melgar*
Samantha Melgar
Frank Melo*
Chloe Meltzer
Arber Memedi
Jada R. Mendez
Josephine T. Mendoza*
Elijah Mercado
Azriel Mesa
Michael Paul Meschbach*
Madison L. Metcalf*
Taitum Meyer
Aiden Michaels
Sarah Michels
Elizabeth Mickey
Adora Midderhoff
Alexa Mihaita
Olivia Adelle Miller*
Avery Miller*
Bailey R. Miller*
Theoren Miller
Ashley Marie Milon*
Emily Kathryn Misiewicz*
Gabrielle M. Mitchell
Tamar L. Mitchell
Caden J. Moe
Sarah Moen*
Gabriella Moghaddam
Raya Mohseni*
Zitlali Rose Molina
Marily A. Molina
Jenifer Mondragon Velez
Simon Takashi Monroe
Anastasia M. Montanez
Yaritza Montelongo
Juniper Montgomery
Lucia Hunter Montgomery
Sonia A. Montgomery
Emma S. Montiel*
Elliot M. Moore
Ganiyah Shanell Moore
Malachi Cornelius Melvin Moore
Tyler D. Moore
Matthew L. Morabito
Jenessy Alize Morales
Jorge Morales*
CANDIDATES FOR
THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Alexis Moran
Elizabeth Kristin Moran
Isabella Morena*
Karla Sherlyn Moreno Vargas*
Lizet Moreno
Mayarlyn Moreno
Nancy Moreno
Rida Imran Motiwala
Heaven Leigh Mountain
Alexandria E. Mounts*
Lillian Grace Mullenax
Elias Munoz Jr.
Scott Murphy*
Soraiya Myers
Elliott D. Myhre
Jihyeon Na*
Jaquelin Nacipucha Zhanay
Aubri Nicolle Nava
Isabella Valentina Navarro
Eddie Neal-Morales
Logan Maxwell Neill*
Maxine Grace Neistat
Nelly Marie Nelson
Olivia Rose Nendick*
Pip Neuman*
Logan M. Newby
Cindy Thanh Ngo*
Vinh N. Nguyen*
Cindy Nicasio*
Milena Nobili
Manuel A. Nocera
Mia Marie Noonan*
Ivory Diana Nordeng*
Kameron Oas*
Ivy Jane O’Brien
Katherine A. O’Brien*
Emma M. Ockerman*
Jaylah Nichelle Oglesby
Victoria Ogungbure
Megan Y. Oh*
Emily Kevina O’Halloran
Eric T. Ohlrich*
Walker Dean Olson
Kofi Oppong Wadie
Vanessa N. Orozco
Sadie M. Ortega
Gavriela Ortega Cruz*
Connor Check Ortiz
Lacy Marie Ortiz*
Sebastian Rae Ortiz
Jinya Ouyang
Daniela C. Ovando
LeeVonn S. Overton*
Cheyanne Owens
Maurice A. Owens Jr.
Norah Claudia Padilla*
Jessica Idaliz Pagan*
Gianna Palade
David Jerome Palazzolo*
Aaliyah C. Panesso
Suyoung Park*
Ashley Joy Parro
Ava Paseka*
Maybelle J. Patterson*
Kaila Ellamarie Patton
Mia G. Paulus*
Amerie K. Paylor
Ethan Payne*
Jaylin Christopher Peace
Benjamin MacNeil Pease
Morgan Amelia Peddle
Ashani Li Peissigma*
Joseph E. Pennington*
Gabriella H. Pennino
Jordan E. Perdue
Marlene Perez
Osvaldo Perez
Avery LaShun Perkins
Edward Robert Perlman
Ashley Marie Perrin
Casey James Perrin
Kennedy B. Person*
Avery Swan Petersen*
Carter H. Pham*
Angel Phan*
Frances Philippe Auguste
Damon Pierson Jr.
Cassidy Pihera*
Gabrielle Grace Pillman*
El Pinckney
Mikhaela Pinto
Jack M. Plahutnik*
Natalija Plavšic*
Emily Marcella Podolske*
Marina Pollak
Jacob R. Pook
Alondra Victoria Portero Rivera
Laura Sofia Posada
Alison Georgia Postilion-Lopez*
Grace Eileen Powell
Jewel Rhianne Pratt*
Sarah E. Prenta
Havion Prevard
Haley Nicole Price*
Zaniya Price
Asante C. Pridgen
Parker Elise Primavera
Eliza M. Prom
Emma M. Puklin
Nick A. Pulley*
Alexander Puntos
Ivan W. Pynn
Zaria Quick*
Angel Quintana
James Rabon*
Olivia M. Radabaugh*
Maral Ragchaasuren*
Dayline Ramirez
Emily Abigail Ramirez*
Matthew A. Ramirez
Rey D. Ramirez
Roberto A. Ramirez
Ashley Janette Ramones Sotelo
Jesus A. Ramos
Sara-Elizabeth Ramsey
Andrea Rangel
Angel Rangel
Kimberly Rangel
Basil Rausch
Tianna Emily Rayappan
Jaden Redor
Anasia Reeves
Joleigh Ann Reiss*
Sky M. Reiter
Andrew West Remy
Alan Reyes
Gabriel J. Reyes
John Reyes*
Uriel Reyes
Yaneth F. Reyes*
Noa Rhee*
Tristan D. Ribbens*
Jaylin A. Richardson
Sydney Jo Ann Richardson
Vivian E. Richey
Addison Rickert
Adrian Riedner*
Isabella Rose Rios*
Michael F. Rispoli
Angelica Esther Rivera
Eric Joshua Rivera Jr.
Madelyn K. Rivera
Deshawn Jesse Rivers
Becca Ann Robinson
Dominic E. Robinson*
Ruben P. Robles
Summerlove Robles
Cameron James Rodeghier
Maryam B. Rodgers
Amelia Rain Rodriguez
Citlali Rodriguez*
Dayanara Rodriguez
Niya Aliyah Rodriguez
Ramon Luis Rodriguez
Maximiliano Rodriguez-Frias
Samuel W. Roethgen
Christopher Matthew Rogich
Gabriela Nicola Romano
Jonah S. Romanoff*
Chloe Romero*
Mason Romine
Devin A. Rosa
Elizabeth C. Rosfeld
Jacob Roskam
Ava Margery Ross*
Chaya Abria Ross*
Anthony Ruiz*
Anusri Sabariperumal
Andrew John Sack
Nicole Saenz-Silva
Ken Safford
Nadia R. Salahuddin*
Kasandra V. Salas
Jorge Saldana Avila
Angelica Sanchez
Arianna R. Sanchez
Carlos Eduardo Sanchez Salazar
Zahra Sandhu
Emiko Janell Sandoval
Luis Mario Sandoval*
Victor M. Sandoval*
Abraham Sangye*
Julia Sanjines
Peara Savath
Nathan Schacher
Aeon Madoka Schell
Jenna J. Schild
Jason Schmal
Lauren A. Schmit
Emma K. Schmucker*
Brianna Schulstad
Finn Emery Rey Schulz
Ty Alexander Schwabenbauer
Taylor Joline Schwamb*
Ava R. Schwank
Channing David Scott
Adolfo Segovia
Vasana Amy Seng-Keo
Jennifer Serrano
Jude Shaffer
Ella M. Sharba
Lauren Shaul*
Steven A. Shavers
Stephen R. Shaw
Dalia Shelby*
Aleixandria Julia Shelley-Fernandez
Allison R. Shelton
Jamari Shelton
Avan C. Sheridan
Angela Sheridon
Brian K. Sherrill Jr.
Robert C. Shunmugam
Savian Shwaiki*
Omar Sierra
Julia Alexsandra Sikora*
Ramiro Y. Silva*
Jair Silva Bastida
Joav Silva Bastida
Helia Silveira
Aija C. Sims
Anahkah Ashanii Sims*
Julian Singer
Owen F. Sisson
Echo Skidmore
Lena Slininger*
Amelia Marie Smith*
Kaytlin Diane Smith*
Kyle Smith
Liza Smith
Pablo D. Smith
Emma Elizabeth Snyder*
Rylie Eden Solace*
Cesar A. Solis
Charley J. Sonneman
Tiffany Spoeri
Janae L. Spradley
Jazz T. Spurgeon
Amar Srivastava
Jaden Lantier Stark
Ameenah Frances Starks-McMillian*
Evan R. Stevens
Eddie M. Stevenson
Tristan B. Stewart*
Sarah Stine
Jonathon M. Stinson*
Nicole Renee Stocks
Maya R. Stokes*
Nina Satine Stoner*
Aaliyah Faye Stottlemyer
Kaylynn M. Stoudmire
Alison Marie Stringham*
Emily R. Strobehn*
Leigha Tamera Strozier*
Henry Thomas Stultz
Elya S. Stumbaugh*
Colin P. Sullivan
Jason Sullivan
Trinity Collier Sutton*
Matthew C. Swetnam
Maison Syder
Ariane Cuberos Sypongco
Samarah Onyx Tahir
Alice Tallman*
Anya M. Tapley*
Alx Denise Taylor
Ashanti Mariah Taylor
Torrence Taylor
Ana Cristina B. Teixeira*
Bianca Noemi Tellez
Natalia Teran
Graigory P. Tertulien
Kayley Jade Thatcher
Esme Helene Thibodeau
Olyvia Thom
Georgia M. Thomas
Kyla J. Thomas
Lily Thomas
Charlesa Thompson
Daya Elizabeth Thompson
Eleanor Thompson*
Estella Thornton
Qingyuan Tian*
*With academic honors
CANDIDATES
FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF ARTS
Mahdi Alima Estrella Tiry-Garcia
Xochitl Guadalupe Tlacuatl-Juarez
Teresa To
Mehida Noemi Toledo Lopez*
Thomas G. Toohill*
Ian S. Toppall*
Jaxon Atticus Toppen
Ashley G. Toro
Clarissa Torres Vazquez
Joaquin Ignacio Torres-Morales*
Hector Luis Toscano
Demetrios A. Trakas
Chayse Trammer
Trinity J. Treadwell
Melanie Trejo*
Tiara Tribitt
Alvaro Troncoso*
AJ L. Tucker
Shawn Nicholas Tumbokon-Flowers
Jarred S. Tupas*
Glenn P. Turner*
Leslie D. Tuszynski*
Haley G. Twombly
Sae Uesugi
Nimat Umardeen*
Mia I. Urbieta
Joshua Gabriel Uy*
Samantha Valdes*
Karla Valdez
Alejandra Valdivia*
Lauryn I. Valencia
Stefanie Valle Aguilera*
Steven Vanlalhriatpuia
Jillian Vara
Robert Harrison Vavra
Chelsea Vazquez-Trejo
*With academic honors
Virginia Vecellio
Adilene Vega
Eleanor E. Vega*
Evelyn Vega
Matthew J. Vega*
Emily Velazquez
Kathrynn Brynn Vettas
Julian Vickroy
Cristian D. Villalobos
Carolina Villanueva
Eileen Mary Kate Vivoda*
Michael K. Vollman
Grace C. Volpe*
Ian M. Von Ohlen
Warren S. Voss
Diego Ernesto Wagner
Breanne Marie Walker
Jazmyne L. Walker
Olivia L. Walko*
Anneliese Olivia Walzel
Casey Elizabeth Wang*
Limin Wang
Leila D. Wangler*
Dylan Edward Ward*
Hunter L. Warner
Kyjuan D.E. Washington
Luke Edward Watson
Fox Pythagoras Webber*
Johnathan Xavier Webster
Richard E. Wegner
Emma M. Weigel
Lillian Grace Weir
Odin J. Weller
Brea L. West
Jake G. Whalen
Jackson Wheelock
Sofia Valletta Wheelock
Demi A. White
Lacresha M. White
Nia Nicole White
Sean C. Whitney
Ryan Wiersma
Brianna Wilkins*
Ash Williams*
Jaden Isabella Williams
Janiya M. Williams
Leah Caroline Williams
Maliaka Mary-Grace Williams*
Mikaylah Letice Williams
Tatyana E. Williams
Christopher G. Wilson
Isabelle Wilson*
Steven L. Wood
Danaysha N. Woodard
Valerie R. Woodside
Kayciblu Wright
Mengqi Xi*
Seng Xiong
Ke Xu
Madison Renee Yager*
Angel Yambo
Zayn Rebekah Yess
Christopher A. Young Jr.
Destiny Rose Young*
Eryn Young*
Naomi Young*
Vianca Paola Zagal
Abbie Mae Zaleski
Andriana V. Zambrano
Alexis R. Zeiser
Liz Zermeno Robles
Kejia Zhang*
Tongjie Zhang*
Yuhan Zhou*
Ian A. Zielinski
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
Brean W. Sergio Roberto Aguirre Jr.
Marcelina June Allen
Justin Andrew Alexander
April Nicole Arevalo
Tegan Brooke
Eisha Baleegh*
Isabella Maria Balta*
Emilio Barajas*
Isaac Emerson Barnett
Assia Bayoud
Soumaya Bayoud
Ella M. Bizianes
Cameron Dean Blackwood*
Anoulak Blanchet*
Luisa Bott
Nicholas F. Brass*
Megan Grace Brod
Ciara N. Brophy
Grace Noelle Butt*
Karen Yamileth Casas
Robert M. Celestine*
Yajaira Chabla
Valerie Cheng*
Lucy Danna Conway*
Caley Elaine Corbin
Julia I. Cossio*
Lise Michelle Creed
Ashley Cruz*
Violet A. Czerwinski*
Radoslaw M. Darski
Jenna Rose Davis*
Patrick Demitras*
TJ Dennis*
Jocelyn Alexi Diaz
Katherine Nicole Diaz*
Madison Kathleen Donnelly*
Parker J. Dove*
Amaris Denise Echenique*
Petra A. Espinosa*
Gabriella M. Fabrizio*
Alexis Fichtel*
Elizabeth Leigh Fowlkes
Tyler K. Francis*
Jacqueline S. Franklin*
Maren Elena Gabaldon
Aayna D. Gandhi*
Raynner Garcia
Nancy Garcia-Castillo*
Ahime Garfias*
Ella Grace Catherine Garnes*
Maxwell Geraci
John Carl Ginocchio*
Luis Angel Gomez*
Justin Timothy Graham*
Allison K. Griese*
Jennifer Grimaldo Duran
Ryan J. Gutke*
Samantha Guzzo
Trevell V. Hampton
Amelia Marie Hansing*
Andrea Hawkins
Brianna B. Ho
Hannah R. Holland-Rutledge*
Beauman Royal Hull
Jackson Lowell Huwe*
Bryanna Olga Ibarra Zamora*
Barbara Anna Jablonska
Emma Peri Jacobson*
Erica Jones
Teddi A. Karnes*
Sage S. Katusin*
Noah Keathly*
Andrew Paul Kennett*
Alivia Jai King
Victoria Brooke Kirsch*
Zachary E. Klepser
Stefanija Kostovska*
Paulina Kusion
Charlee Lambert*
Sadie Foster Landis*
Shannon Michelle Audrey Lane*
Roman Theodore Langford
Paige Alexa Larsen*
Maria Valentina Leguizamon Gonzalez*
Brennan L. Lockwood
Celeste Laurel Lopez
Grecia Lopez-Macias*
Abigahil Loredo Sauceda
Sonia Melissa Lugo*
Yupu Luo
Saketh Sree Maddipati
Diego Madrigal Cruz*
James Benjamin Marino
Maxwell Marino*
Aja J. Martin
Katherine A. Mays
Dylan McCully
Malcolm J. McGregor*
Aaron D. McKenzie
Kellie Anne McMickle*
Molly Serena McVey*
Frida Mejia
Louis Henri Joseph Mellinand
Adolfo A. Mendez Fernandez
Isabella Diana Miller*
Sierra K. Miller
Phoenix N. Mingo
Melissa Morales*
Yaretzi Izel Morales*
Amayaluna Morfin-Beltran
Cassidy Marie Morisco
Indra Mungunsuh
Arianna Samantha Muñoz
Elise Neal
Boston Netterfield-Kline*
Anesa Nevzadi
Michaela M. Ogletree*
Livia Rose Overton*
Abigail Pajeau*
Iryna Paleshnyk
Ethan E. Pandolfi*
Lily Elizabeth Patterson
Sophia Suzanne Peck*
David Petratos
Dieu Vy Pham*
Brooke Lynn Domingo Phetthongsy*
Eliana Pinkert*
Nova Anne Poe-Steppler
Sarmite Poga
Charles Andrei Pre*
Areli Ramirez*
Alexander Ramirez
Mikaylah R. Rand
Keachawn Randall*
Naila Irfan Rangwala
Julia Ravelo
Jaida R. Raygor
Kylie Elizabeth Reuter*
Autumn D. Risbrook
Jason Rivas
Emelia Robinson*
Ni’a L. Roby
Braedon Nicholas Roling
Cristian Andres Romero
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR
OF FINE ARTS
Zaven Rutman*
Jaquelin Sanchez*
Devon Alexzander Saxman*
Sydney Schuh*
Veda R. Selin*
Sarah Elizabeth Shields
Ben Shimamoto*
Bee Sinclair
Charlotte Skibinski*
Natalie Mae Slavin
Xanthe Gabriella Sparkman
Ian Springer
CallieElizabeth J. Stein-Wayne*
Deagan Jett Stoner*
Emily Sun*
Heather Ann Sunderlage*
Shannon Sykes*
Natalie Ann Tadda*
Samantha Wednesday Taylor
Ahoud Saleh Thabet*
Gabriella Haydee Tortolero*
Caroline Shelby Triche
Senbi M. Turner*
Lillian Sophia Urresti
Cadence Joy Fernandez Uzarraga*
Nicole L. Vandewalker*
Jenna N. Vandiver
Brenda Villa*
Nicolas A. Viselli*
Emma Walker*
Alex M. Wanke*
Talia Masada White
Anna Grace Wickey
Madelynn Grace Wierda*
Sadia Cheyenne Williams*
Rachel Elizabeth Wilson
Isa O. Woodard*
Nathaniel Worley*
Alianisa Zahra Yousuf
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF MUSIC
Isabella Lucia Anabalon Amortegui
Galdino Ayala Jr.
Mark J. Berg*
Mal Freyvogel
Henry Watson Garrett
Eunkyung Kim*
Joon Lee
Aoyang Li
Frank Carl Logan
Dante Jamison Nottoli
Zeyuan Pan*
Henry E. Parmenter*
CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Rtunjya Gujral*
Sadie J. Racky
Rylan T. Wilder*
Libby O. Rousseau
Kirstyn A. Smith*
Yahan Wang
Tyler D. Zolynsky* *With
THE CUSTOMS AND SYMBOLISM OF COMMENCEMENT
ACADEMIC REGALIA
The customs governing the wearing of regalia at academic convocations such as this weekend’s Commencement exercises have their origins in the patterns of dress of Roman Catholic clergy-scholars in the universities of 12th- and 13th-century Western Europe. As with all such “invented traditions,” which appear fixed and unchanging when they are anything but, they have evolved over time and within cultures, resulting in a range of national and institutional variants and adaptations. The standard protocol for academic dress at U.S. higher education institutions is set out in the American Council on Education’s Academic Costume Code (1986).
What follows is a summary of the more prominent elements of the regalia that will be worn at these ceremonies by students, faculty, members of the administration, trustees, and guests. Through color schemes and other design features, the three garments that make up the regalia—the robe or gown, the hood worn around the neck, and the cap or tam—visually represent the highest degree earned by the wearer, the institution that conferred it, and the academic discipline in which it was granted.
THE HOOD
The core garment is black, but it is lined in satin in the color(s) of the institution that conferred the degree, and edged in velvet in the color designated for the academic discipline in which the degree was granted. Thus, at this weekend’s Commencement, candidates for master’s degrees will wear hoods with a periwinkle and grey lining—the colors registered by Columbia as its official colors—and edged with the color appropriate to the degree field:
• Master of Arts: white
• Master of Arts Management: drab
• Master of Fine Arts: dark brown
Most U.S. institutions of higher learning, including Columbia, dispense with the hooding of bachelor’s degree candidates at Commencement, although bachelor’s degree holders will wear a bachelor’s hood. The width of the edging and the length of the hood indicate the type of degree conferred; the longer the hood and the wider the edging, the more advanced the degree.
THE GOWN
Academic gowns customarily are black, although some U.S. institutions have created their own doctoral robes with more colorful designs. (At this weekend’s Commencement, master’s degree candidates will wear silver-gray gowns.) The gowns of bachelor’s and master’s degree holders are untrimmed. The gowns of doctoral degree holders have velvet trimming down the front and three large velvet bars across both sleeves. The velvet features ordinarily are black but may be in the color designated for the academic discipline in which the degree was conferred..
THE CAP
The most familiar type of academic headgear is the square mortarboard or cap; some doctoral degree holders wear a soft tam instead. All headgear comes with a tassel, usually black, although Columbia’s graduating students wear caps with either gold (for honors graduates) or silver tassels. The custom, which Columbia observes, of having degree recipients move their tassels from the right to the left side of their caps at the conclusion of the degree conferral sequence is of relatively recent origin.
THE COLLEGE MACE AND PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION
The college mace, which is carried into the Commencement ceremony by the chief faculty marshal, represents the collective authority of the college’s faculty. The ceremony does not officially begin until the mace is placed in its stand on the stage. Columbia’s mace is a three-dimensional representation of the college seal; the design symbolically depicts light breaking out into the world.
The medallion worn by the president, which incorporates the college seal, represents the authority vested in the president by the Board of Trustees. The medallion’s custom-designed chain is imprinted with the thumbprints of individual students, faculty, and staff, thereby symbolically honoring the standing of those constituencies within the college community.
The college mace and the presidential medallion were designed and created by sculptor and part-time faculty member Miklos P. Simon. The following faculty members will serve as chief faculty marshals and mace bearers at the 2026 Commencement exercises:
• Sunday, 11:00 a.m.: Dawn M. Larsen, Associate Professor, Business and Entrepreneurship
• Sunday, 4:30 p.m.: David Gerding, Associate Professor, Game Design
MUSICAL SELECTIONS
Joe Cerqua, Producer/Director
Zack Berinstein ’12, Associate Producer
Ben Sutherland, Director, School of Audio and Music
COMMENCEMENT CONCERT
“Slang”
Written by Michael Brecker
Performed by the Fusion Ensemble
“Azúcar”
Written by Eddie Palmieri
Performed by the Latin Ensemble: Showcase
“Party Crashers”
Written by Philip Lassiter and Bobby Sparks
Performed by the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble
“Brighter Day”
Written by Kirk Franklin
Orchestrated by Scott Hall
Performed by the Columbia College Chicago Commencement Choir and the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble
“Sunday Threads”
Written by Philip Lassiter
Performed by the Fusion Ensemble
“Malportada”
Written by Nathy Peluso, Betomonte, Ben Aler, Manuel Lara, and Servando Primera
Performed by the Latin Ensemble: Showcase
“Love Train”
Written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff
Arranged by Thomas Gunther
Performed by the Columbia College Chicago Commencement Choir and the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble
“Simmer Down”
Written by Philip Lassiter and Brett Nolan
Performed by the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble
“Forget Regret”
Written by Jacques Schwarz-Bart
Performed by the Fusion Ensemble
“Bemba Colora”
Written by José Claro Fumero
Performed by the Latin Ensemble: Showcase
“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
Written by U2
Arranged by Carey Deadman
Performed by the Columbia College Chicago Commencement Choir and the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble
PROCESSIONAL
“March of the Columbians”
Written by Scott Hall
“Walk This Way”
Written by Joe Perry and Steven Tyler
Arranged by Scott Hall
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
Words by Francis Scott Key, music by John Stafford Smith
Arranged by Joe Cerqua
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Words by James Weldon Johnson
Music by J. Rosamond Johnson
Arranged by Roland Carter
MANIFEST 2026 VIDEO SOUNDTRACK
“Not Enough”
Written by Manifest Music Video Competition Winner
Tamar Mitchell ‘26
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
“This Is Me”
Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Arranged by Carey Deadman
Performed by the Columbia College Chicago Commencement Choir and the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble
RECESSIONAL
“Sunday Threads”
Written by Philip Lassiter
Performed by the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble
STUDENT ENSEMBLES
LATIN ENSEMBLE: SHOWCASE
Donald Neale, Director
Isabella Anabalón*, Vocals
Joel Arreola, Vocals
Briyanna Manzanares, Vocals
Hybri Méndez, Vocals
Tristan Stewart*, Vocals
Kayla Morris, Alto Saxophone
Ella-Marie Robles, Alto Saxophone
Daniel Gutiérrez, Tenor Saxophone
Gabriel Medina, Tenor Saxophone
Ramón Rodríguez*, Bass Trombone
Miles Wilson, Trumpet
Elijah Williams, Guitar
Austin Nichols, Keyboards
Dante Nottoli*, Bass
Nate Freedman, Percussion
Duda Neves, Percussion
Carlos Perales, Percussion
FUSION ENSEMBLE
William Boris, Director
Greta Hugen, Vocals
Stephen Ryan, Guitar
Daniel Rovinski, Keyboards
Dante Nottoli*, Bass
Marcellus Williams, Drums
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO COMMENCEMENT CHOIR
Eric Rutherford, Director
SOPRANO
Sarai Cheek
Greta Hugen
Andriana Hughes
Kamila Kay
Maya Moreno*
Char Vander Molen
ALTO
Mariah Gordon
Eunkyung Kim*
Briyanna Manzanares
JaNya Saygbay
Aija Sims*
Quinn Wells
TENOR/CONTRALTO
Joel Arreola
Yunjong Heo
Jacori Johnson
Tristan Stewart*
Rejon Strong
BARITONE
Khalif Alston*
Donnovan Grandberry
Irvin Varquez
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Scott Hall, Director
SAXOPHONE
Jack Kaefer*
Mary-Mullis Keyse*
Daniel Kupinski
Frank Logan*
Kayla Morris
TROMBONE
Joe Ghelfi*
Ramón Rodríguez*
Blake Whatcott
TRUMPET
Payton Hall*
Caity Speer
Adam Stoelb
Miles Wilson
VOCALS
Sarai Cheek
Tristan Stewart*
Char Vander Molen
Irvin Varquez
RHYTHM SECTION
Joe Cates*, Guitar
Richard Gibbs III*, Piano
Dante Nottoli*, Bass
Nate Freedman, Drums
Marcellus Williams, Drums
*Graduating student
INSTITUTIONAL LEADERSHIP
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CHAIR
John M. Holmes, M.B.A.
VICE CHAIR
Hugh C. Williams, M.B.A.
SECRETARY
Barry M. Sabloff, M.B.A.
TRUSTEES
Leonard C. Amato ’75
Shantay N. Bolton Ph.D., ex officio
Paul B. Broucek ’74
Robert J. Buford, J.D.
Melissa Dalrymple, M.B.A.
Amy Dordek Dolinsky
Paul G. Garnes ’96
Staci R. Collins Jackson MAM ‘06
Karen L. Jones ’86, J.D., ex officio
Averill Leviton
Rich Nanda, M.B.A.
Peter Pace Jr., M.B.A.
Richard Poulton, M.B.A.
Imad I. Qasim, J.D.
Michael Swanson
Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg
Robert A. Wislow
William E. Wolf, M.B.A.
TRUSTEES EMERITI
Helena Chapellín Wilson ’76
HONORARY TRUSTEES
Bill Kurtis
Allen M. Turner
PRESIDENT’S CABINET
Shantay N. Bolton, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey Bethke, M.B.A.
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Adriel A. Hilton, Ph.D.
Vice President of Institutional Strategy and Chief of Staff
Emmanuel Lalande, Ed.D.
Senior Vice President of Enrollment Strategy and Student Success
Suzanne McBride, M.S.J.
Interim Senior Vice President and Provost
Adam Weiss, J.D.
Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel
Aubrie J. Willaert, M.M.
Vice President of Development and Alumni Engagement
ACADEMIC DEANS
Steven Corey, Ph.D.
Dean of Academic Programming
Jeanne Petrolle, Ph.D.
Acting Dean of Faculty Affairs
SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Jerry Brindisi, M.A.
Interim Director, School of Business and Entrepreneurship
Elizabeth Davis-Berg, Ph.D.
Tom Dowd, M.A.
Interim Co-Directors, School of Design
Ames Hawkins, Ph.D.
Interim Director, School of Communication and Culture
Duncan MacKenzie, M.F.A.
Interim Director, School of Visual Arts
Jimmy Noriega, Ph.D.
Allen and Lynn Turner Director, School of Theatre and Dance
Colbey Reid, Ph.D. Director, School of Fashion
Eric Scholl, M.F.A.
Wenhwa Ts’ao, M.F.A.
Interim Co-Directors, School of Film and Television
Ben Sutherland, Ph.D.
Director, School of Audio and Music
FACULTY SENATE LEADERSHIP
Karla Rae Fuller, Ph.D.
President
Professor, Film and Television
Dawn Larsen, J.D.
Vice President
Associate Professor, Business and Entrepreneurship
Ted Hardin, M.F.A.
Secretary
Associate Professor, Film and Television
Keith Kostecka, D.A.
Parliamentarian
Associate Professor, Chemistry and Environmental Science
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The producers would like to acknowledge the following individuals for helping to make the 2026 Commencement exercises possible::
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION
Esteban Amaro ‘05
Gina Meyer
Olivia Soliz
Meghan Vozzolo
Duriyah Wilborn
STUDENT PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Ziel Chonillo ’29
Joel Cintron ’29
Dylan Clancy ’29
Raymia Jones Fowler ’27
Brieya Henderson ’29
Brandon Jones Jr ’27
Morgan Lawson ’28
Zoe Roney ’28
ShyBria Starkley ’28
Aspen Stenson ’29
Danetra Thomas ’28
Rebeca Uzua ’27
Windy Vang ’28
MANIFEST MUSIC VIDEO PRODUCERS
Green River Films, Inc.
Sam Sanders MFA ’01
John Farbrother MFA ’03
VIDEO PRODUCTION
Lorelle Communications, Inc.
Kevin Corcoran, Director
SITE PRODUCER
Charles Gomez
Charles Gomez Productions
STAGE MANAGER
Debra Liddell
At Columbia College Chicago, student success is at the heart of everything we do and creating pathways to achieve that success is our top priority. To that end, the Renaissance Innovation for Student Excellence Fund (RISE) provides direct support for the areas that impact our students most. From tuition scholarships and career-defining internship opportunities to mental health support and emergency needs, the RISE fund ensures that our students remain focused on education, discovery, and innovation.
Join us in preparing our students for the creative careers of today and tomorrow. Scan this QR code or visit www.colum.edu/risefund to make an impact today.
