76th Commencement: Lake Michigan College awards 472 degrees and certificates during May 7 ceremonies
Lake Michigan College President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke stepped to the podium on Sunday, May 7, for the College's 76th annual commencement ceremonies at The Mendel Center Mainstage to address the crowd.
"As president, I am immensely proud of our graduates and the incredible accomplishments they have achieved during their time with us," he said. "Education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about developing critical thinking skills, fostering a sense of community, and promoting social responsibility. We are confident that our graduates will use their education to make a positive impact in their communities and the world."
A total of 456 students received 472 degrees and certificates from 31 areas of study, including 431 associate degrees, 15 advanced certificates, and 26 certificates of achievement during 10 a.m. (Arts & Sciences and General Studies) and 1 p.m. (Career & Workforce and Health Sciences) ceremonies.
Two hundred forty-nine students, or 54 percent of the Class of 2023, graduated with honors (157 with honors, 79 with high honors, and 13 with highest honors).
Graduates hailed from 10 U.S. states and eight countries (Australia, Brazil, China, Columbia, Denmark, Mexico, and Venezuela).
Students who received academic affairs program awards were Emily Martindale, Jared Smith, and Cody Wigginton (Spirit of Nursing Award); James Burke and Dwayne Ridgway Jr. (Bob Schodorf Distinguished Natural Sciences Scholar Award); and Evie Clare, Holly Curtiss, Babriella Cuthbert, Amber Mendoza, Eva Perez Gonzalez, Zian Ren, Kelsey Renfro, Madison Ruwersma, and Erin Schneider (Betts Rittmeyer Natural Sciences Scholar Award).
Alejandra Ramirez, Kalyah Watson, and Aalyah Watson, chosen as Class of 2023 student speakers, spoke during commencement. Student speakers are nominated by their peers, LMC faculty, and staff based on academic excellence, integrity, and compassion for their classmates.
Twin sisters Kalyah Watson and Aalyah Watson, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who are 2021 graduates of the Milwaukee School of Languages, played for the Red Hawks Women's Basketball Team. Kalyah Watson received an Associate in General Studies, and Aalyah Watson received an Associate in Arts.
"Time stops for no one, so what are you going to do with it?" they said during the morning ceremony. "Whatever you do, always embrace the journey, find beauty in the process and keep walking your path. LMC offers access to opportunity, and once you take it, it feels like a community."
Ramirez, a St. Joseph resident, and 2019 St. Joseph High School graduate received her Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice.
"To me, LMC means opportunity and growth," she said during the afternoon ceremony. "Opportunity, because no matter where you come from, your background, or socioeconomic status, LMC hands you a large list of possibilities to make your plans come to life and build your future with you. Growth because I grew out of my comfort zone. I learned love for the career I chose, and I met great people who helped me along the way."
In addition to the student speakers and Dr. Kubatzke, presenters included LMC Board of Trustees Chair John Grover, Trustee Mary Jo Tomasini, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Ken Flowers, and Vice President of Student Affairs Nygil Likely.
2023 graduates include:
Honors notations:
*Honors (3.25-3.74 GPA)
**High Honors (3.75-3.99 GPA)
*** Highest Honors (4.00 GPA)
Associate Degree Recipients
Allegan
Joseph Patrick Allen*, Kenna McKenzie Baker**, Ryan Christopher Brink, Joran Ruth Brown, Olivia Terese Clearwater*, Kathryn Renee Cliffman*, Holly Ann Curtiss**, Liberty Anne Laforest, Cameron Roger Pierce, Nova Jean Plumley**, Laura Michelle Rogers, AnnaBelle Kean VanderScheer*, Layla Marie Webb, Hunter Jacob Weeks**
Arlington, Texas
Leaya Elizabeth Larson
Ashmore, Australia
Douglas Ryuta Briese
Bangor
Johnathon Eugene Borsodi, Carter Stephen-Hale Fowler*, Erica M Karr, Angelia Marie Ross
Baroda
Aurelia Grace Davis*, Melanie Yareli Hernandez*, Katie Jo Rainey, Jose Mauricio Ramirez Ochoa, Paige Alexis Schubach*, Chapin E Schultz, Chelsey Sobralski-Cole, Marissa Kathleen Turcotte*
Batavia, Illinois
Paige Elaine Ashby**
Battle Creek
Hailey Jo Borden
Benton Harbor
Kolen Jamel-James Adams*, Alexandra Arrans*, Kelly Renee Bartalone, Joanna Katrice Blue, Jonen Bravo*, Alex N Bryant III, Monica R Buford, Paula Jean Camp**, Kendra Canary Cook, Elizabeth Bryanne Cox*, Tracie Crenshaw***, Olivia Marie Dowmer, Brandon Wayne Edgarton, Madison Ann Ficks, Ametrius R Fleming, Alondra Gallardo*, Kierra Irene Lowe, Gabriela Trinidad Mancera, Sharon Marr*, Mackenzie Leigh Matheny*, Katherine Rose Mattner**, Darlene Joyce Mattson, Sydareha K Moss, Jodi Louise Prillwitz, Taylor Ashley Prillwitz*, Andrew Jonathan Quinones, Dayja Le'Shai Randolph, Edwyn Jafert Rodriguez-Zarco, Reyna Jazmin Steed, Quincy Sulton
Berrien Center
Gabriella Alyse Cuthbert**, Karl Edward Garcia Overton***, Kara Lynn Villwock*
Berrien Springs
Nadege Hadjatou Minda Adamou*, Vitor Costa Nogueira Barbosa**, James Christopher Burke***, Jackson Robert Christner*, Isabela Susann Constable*, Richmond Dwomoh, Ryan Christopher Fernando, Matthew Holden Grimm**, Brandon Joseph Haygood*, Jacob Douglas Haygood**, Alexa Jean Kesterke*, Linda Marie Klein, Isaiah Michael Patrick McCrevan*, Logan Eric Mead*, Aldrich Nathanael Mongkau**, Tabitha Ashley Nelson**, Bethany Grace Shelley, Jack Vernon Tourangeau*, Brandon M Tripp**, Josiah Gabriel Ward*, Sebastian Ashburne Warsop*
Bloomingdale
Nancy Pearl Furlan
Boothville, Louisiana
Joseph Noel Taylor II*
Brazil
Grazieli Martins de Galiza*, Angelina Flandoli Rieli***
Bridgman
Morgen Elisabeth Ales*, Priscilla Jean Brinker*, Madison Ann Catania*, Ashley L Davis*, MyKayla Ann Hays, Haylee Diane Kanous*, Bryan James Nelson*, David Glenn-Reece Ott*, Brandon Christopher Owen**, Christina Anne Shaffer-Wahr, Ava Marie Ward
Buchanan
Sierra Renee Abrahamson, Meikelle Angeleise Andrews, Camryn E Baber, Lauren Ashley Bentham*, Maria Alexandra Bouzas, Sierra Dawn Cahill**, Lanna-Marie Jean Draper, Georvon Flores*, Daniel J Lane*, Lainie Nicole Miller*, Miranda Lee Miller, Christopher Scott Powers*, Dwayne E Ridgway Jr**, Alexis Olivia Scott, Brett Martin Valentine
Canton
Angela Martina Schmidt*
Cassopolis
Caitlyn Lee Steensma*, TiLynne La'Nae Williams*
Chesterton, Indiana
Bradley Thomas Petersen
Chicago, Illinois
Abdoulaye Ba, Kea'ka Julia Stokes, Jadon Curtis Williams
Coloma
Jordane P Baushke*, Loghan E Baushke**, Amanda Jane Bennett*, Brittany Nicole Bovo*, Caleb Israel Dahlke**, Richlie Marie Fikes, Grace Madeline Gagliardo*, Ashley Lynn Gilson, Abigail Lynn Huttenga*, Sara Ann Krieger**, Catherine Marie Kusnierz*, Melissa Latsch, Michelle Ann Nicholson-Menter, Hunter Lane Rennick, Samantha Lyn Nicole Rogers, Kimberly K Salinas, Christopher Paul Smith**, Mackenzie Leann Strunk*
Coopersville
Madison Lynn Ruwersma*
Coppell, Texas
JoCorian Armond Freeman
Covert
Jermara Simone Blackmon, Jennifer Fabian, Marshawn Octavious Jones, Keytra Monique De'shay Lewis, Hayley Marie Rose, Aloniea Jhanea Yancey, Tamara Renee Yancey
Davison
Ellary Grace Darling**
Decatur
Andrea Lee Feury*
Delton
Leah Joy Grentz*
Detroit
Kayla Kristie-ineal Cramatie
Douglas
Margaret Adele Rininger*
Dowagiac
Katlyn Nicole Briney**
Eau Claire
Shannon Nicole Arndt, Toni Lynne Dunn, Tamara Jane Gilson*, Terry McCain*, Frank R Kuiken*, Anna Kaeleen Lechleitner*, Kassandra Lopez, Pamela Jo Hess*, Brittany Rachelle Riippa, Betty Kaye Timmreck, Brigg Harrison True**
Fennville
Adriana Gisselle Almanza, Alyssa Shay Beeson, Vivianna Espino**, Isabel Garcia, Sarah Marie Pitts, Delinna Ramos, Crystal Anne Salyers
Fort Myers, Florida
Cargan Ross Murray**
Fort Worth, Texas
Mathias David Carnero
Gobles
Libbee Elaine Nason
Grand Junction
Autumn Amber Beck, Christopher Michael Garrison, JeanAnn Lorraine Miller, Katelynn Marie Slater
Grand Rapids
Brooke Michelle Stegehuis**
Granger, Indiana
Jaspal Kaur, Priya Singh**
Hales Corners, Wisconsin
Alexa Merrill Berg
Harbert
Abigail Grace Folsom*
Hartford
Jessica Cardoso**, Olivia Castelan-Rodriguez**, Lilah Alyn Cray, Charity Marie Johnson, Russell Raymond Smith*, Tia Marie Thomas, Keri Lynn Williamson*
Holland
Nayla Marie Alvarez-Gomez*, Tamara Lee Hill*, Hannah Paquette
Hopkins
Jalynn Marie Dean, Brynn Landrigan**, Kenton Charles Landrigan**, Riley Fay Landrigan**, Aubrey Paige Russell
Howell
Kimberly Niccole Steele***
Jenison
Jillian Elizabeth Sutton**
Kalamazoo
Tannah Aliese Perin*, Sha'brea L Shepherd, Marah Joy Slager**
Kingsford
Alicia Christine Morgan**
Lapeer
Charity Kathryn-Mae Dundas***
LaPorte, Indiana
Samuel Richard Garrison
Lawrence
Emma Grace Hasse, Kelly Lynn Jasensky**
Little Elm, Texas
Brian Antony Tenille Hunter Jr.
Livonia
Carson Van Dike
Marshall
Teagan Lynn Giannunzio
Martin
Zachary Michael Bailey, Trent Michael Kimmel**, Javan Michael Lowe, Jenna Paige Marsman**
Mattawan
Olivia Grace Eubank*
Medellin, Antioquia, Columbia
Heyder Uriel Conde**
Mexico
Faviola Ramirez-Mata
Middlebury, Indiana
Robert Tyler Baumgartner**
Midland
Gabriella Marie White
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Aalyah Autom Watson*, Kalyah Summer Watson
Mishawaka, Indiana
Jon Michael Badur***, Kaleb Jefferson Johnson*
Mount Clemens
Micah Porter Johnson
Mt. Pleasant
Mia Rui-Rong Vanderveen
New Buffalo
Yasmine Mia Boyd**, Jasmine Jane D'Arcangelis, Amanda Paige Geisler**, Michael Christopher Mark*, Tannah Lorraine Nieman
New Carlisle, Indiana
Kelseigh Morgan Kopinski*
Niles
Annelise Heather Bedell, Hannah Jane Bullard*, Jonathon Thomas Bybee, Jazmin Capula*, Madison Renee Cavanaugh*, Micah Jeffrey Colby, Cassandra Dianne Cook, Ty Oliver Elms*, Kade Willard Erwin*, Zachary Ryan Fillwock*, Lisa Marie Folkers, Cheyenne Rosejoy Ganshorn, Jordan Ashley Jameson, Drew Edward Johnson*, Miranda Lynn Jones*, Kayla Christine Lindsley*, Kevin Magana, Alexia Renee Martinez, Krystal Rose McCully, Hayleah Marie McFadden*, Janenne Spring Mercer**, Chelsie Nicole Messer*, Cricket Elizabeth Nelson, Josiah Steven Nichols*, Mark Anthony Pacheco**, Eva Perez Gonzalez*, Olivia Renae Riddle, Rachel Lynn Riffel***, Britteney Jeanette Stanczyk, Caitlin Michelle Stanner*, McKenna Ann Thompson, Hope Hudgins Typer*, Madelyn West Van Dyke*, Noah David Vogl, Cristian Andrew Wilson*, Kenley Renee Witherspoon**, Rymma Won***, Paul McCray Wreggelsworth**
Oak Park, Illinois
Joseph Robert Ratz
Ostego
Kaleb Douglas Baker**, Chais Paul Carpenter, Dagim Isaac Deboer*, Evelyn Naomi Dekema, Kendalyn Marie Haskins*, Trenton Anthony Johnson*, Kathryn Kay LaBonte*, Cailynn Elizabeth Phelps*, Elise Renee Tolan*, Destiny Lynn Wheeler
Otsego Township
Donovan William Goodwin**
Paw Paw
Jared Scott Smith*, Mercedes Kathleen Strachan
People's Republic of China
Zian Ren*
Philippines
Jenia Jade Monaghan
Plainwell
Evan Tyler Beauregard, Kenison Paige Bosma**, Olivia Rebecca VanderLugt*
Plymouth, Indiana
Amialla Rose Wojcik**
Portage
Gary Chris Roberts*
Portage, Indiana
Leslie Ann Stormont*
Pullman
Matthew Brian Christie*, Isabel Guadalupe Garcia, Stephanie Martinez*, Alexander Thomas McNeely**
Rancho Cucamonga, California
Christopher Hosea Sihotang
Rogers City
Jillian Lee McCallum Delke**
Saginaw
Michael Mark Martinak
Saint Joseph
Austin Mitchell Archer**, Kaitlyn June Bailey*, Danielle Sue Baldwin, Lauryn Michelle Bennett, Ryan Scott Bluschke, Emma Carolyn Breitkreuz*, Margaret Elizabeth Brunner*, Darius Comfort, Dana Marie Conard*, Tavion Hassan Crump, Jessica Lynn Dandron, Timothy Brian Dokter*, Anne Lynn Doyle*, Ronda Jewell Dunn, Dillon K Falcone*, Lucia Therese Forestieri***, Olivia Isabelle Gilfoyle*, Jasmine Kalis Jones*, Sierra Dawn Jorgensen, Eric William Keeler**, Ellen Kersjes*, Ashlyn Raine Kohn**, Carrie M Montemayor*, Christine Jean Neeley, Madelyn Anne Ostenson*, Kenzie Storm Page-Wood, Arden Lee Paustian, Parker Kelley Preis, Kelsey Ann Renfro**, Brittany Nicole Rixie*, Baylee Anne Elizabeth Rodriguez*, Alana Noel Scaccia*, Miranda Maye Shindeldecker*, Helena Lechelle Vankirk*, Karri Elizabeth Weber*, Christopher Cody Wigginton*, Alex Michael Wood, Michael Joseph Wright
Saugatuck
Lisa Marie Lungaro*
Sawyer
Caroline Trendel Horist**
Shelby Township
Bumeun Lee Park
Shelbyville
Jamille Alyssa Flores Vanderzand*
Sister Lakes
Korey Danielle Jones*
Sodus
Evie Ruth Clare**, Alexis Hobbs
South Bend, Indiana
Lauryn Amanda Ashford*, Anna Stasia Balsbaugh**, Emily Marie Nelson**, Kyle Ryan Smith
South Haven
Gabriel David Bocock, Patricia Lynn Boyce, Heather Lynn Brewington**, Konnor Rigel Brugh, Paige Elizabeth Burson*, Teagan M Burson, Daniela Calderon-Andrade, Keyana Marie Ewing, Aaron Daniel Fillmore*, Jessica Garcia-Gomez*, Silita Monique Gist-Sullivan, Kathrine Kelly Hecker*, Jennifer Jean Homola, Grace Elizabeth Kelemen, Chloe Sue-Lynn Kinney, Dezmin Lajuane Marshall, Susana Mojarro, Erin Grace Schneider*, Lauren Michelle Thaler, Sydney Taylor Todd, Caleb James Vochaska***
Stevensville
Olivia Grace Bingham*, Dylan Nicholas Breault, Meghan Leigh Bronicki*, Olivia Kate DeHaven**, Emma Kay Doyle*, William Brian Etheridge***, Ethan Michael Faris*, Terry DeWayne Fulbright*, Lanie Rushelle Gage, Ashley Renee Galbraith, Angela L Gordon, Savannah Kristine Gostlin**, Shelby Renea Grau, Alexandria Marie Hardin, Paul Whitney Harrison, Madelynn Marie Isbrecht**, Meeta Sonthalia Kedia**, Nycole Marie Kirby, Devin Jamal Lewis, Emily J Martindale*, Michael Reinhold McGilvra, Amber Maria-Hardy Mendoza*, Logan Patrick Morrow, Sam Allison Moyle*, Noah Daniel Newman**, Peggy Dineen O'Neill*, Mckenzie Ja'el Outman**, David Adam Pliml, Becca Lynn Rosenthal*, Anthony M Scaccia, Eric Michael Smith**, McKayla Rae Spears, Meetra D Varnes, Kelsey Jade Walsh*, Dylan Michael Wedde*, Delaney Nicole Zubik*
Three Oaks
Kelsey Marie Gnodtke**, Gina Grace Graziano**, Ella Jean Olson*, Autumn Dawn Strauss, Madison Jean Whitlow
Union
Adrionna Nicole Eversole**
Venezuela
Alejandra Del Valle Ramirez*
Watervliet
Catherine M.A. Brooks, James Lee Butler, Kylie Cheyenne Cannon, Kelly Ann Cotman*, Carlos Hernandez Jr.**, Emma Kathleen Kraklau*, Sterling Bracken Schoonover**, Deven Lee Schultz, Ashton Richard Shall*
Wayland
Camden Robert Strader**, Abigail Marie Tuinstra*
Wright City, Missouri
Wesley Thomas Jaspering
Advanced Certificate Recipients
Bridgman
Ashley L Davis*, Lawrence Barton McVay*
Coloma
Nichole R Sommer**
Covert
Jermara Simone Blackmon
Granger, Indiana
Jaspal Kaur
Holland
Tamara Lee Hill*
Lawrence
Kelly Lynn Jasensky**
Niles
Jazmin Capula*, Emily Joy Mokwa, Nathalie Aileen Sanchez*, Nathan Samuel Town***
South Haven
Paige Elizabeth Burson*, Christopher Leroy Schmidt***
Stevensville
Meeta Sonthalia Kedia**, Sara Nicole Moncrief*
Certificate of Achievement Recipients
Bangor
Jocelyn Ponce
Baroda
Paige Alexis Schubach
Batavia, Illinois
Paige Elaine Ashby
Benton Harbor
Iesha S Guynes, Cody Wallace, Kathryn Ann Ashbrook Young
Berrien Springs
Devin Alexander Crispin, Elizabeth Grace Kubsch, Jonathan Charles Shoemaker, Joshua Aiden Wood
Buchanan
Kathleen Michelle King
Hartford
Russell Raymond Smith
Holland
Nayla Marie Alvarez-Gomez
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Aidan Joseph Zwiller
Kalamazoo
Lacey Nicole Olsen
Lawton
Alexander Kenneth Austin
Mazomanie, Wisconsin
Ivy Angela Kartman
Rhinebeck, New York
Alexa Aurora Venezia-Dasse
Saint Joseph
Max David Agens, Jackson Thomas Harrington, Benjamin Robert Holleman, Irina Z Tikhonova
South Haven
Adam Joshua Byrd, Kendra Rae Kingsbury
Stevensville
Andrew Nicholas Klinke
Vejle, Denmark
Benjamin Höllsberg Grøndahl Vinter
