CLC Celebrates Largest Graduating Class Saturday

The College of Lake County held its 50th annual commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18 in the Physical Education Center at the Grayslake Campus. The morning and afternoon ceremonies were expected to draw a total of 549 participating graduates, the largest in the history of the college, according to a news release.

The ceremonies included one at 10 a.m. for transfer degrees (A.A., A.S., A.E.S., A.F.A.) and the other at 2 p.m. on May 18 for A.A.S. and A.G.S. degrees as well as certificates. Counting all 2019 graduates, the college confered 1,906 degrees and certificates to 1,805 graduates. Waukegan residents comprise the largest percentage of graduates (13 percent), followed by Gurnee and Grayslake (7 percent each), Round Lake Beach (6 percent) and Mundelein and Lake Villa (5 percent each).

Those who missed the morning ceremony can watch it below.

The afternoon session can be viewed below.

Class of 2019 Statistics; Youngest and Oldest Graduates

CLC’s Class of 2019 was made up of 1,785 graduates earning degrees or certificates, of which 46 percent are A.A. degrees and 24 percent are A.A.S. degrees. Another 8 percent are A.S. degrees, 2 percent A.E.S. degrees and 18 percent are certificates.

Sixty-one percent of the graduating class was female, and 39 percent was male. Sixty percent are ages 18 to 24 years old, while 22 percent are ages 25 to 34 years old and 10 percent fall in the 35 to 44 years old age group.

The youngest graduate is Rachel Khalimendik, 17, a Round Lake Park resident who received an A.A. degree.

“The CLC instructors have always provided helpful advice, whether personal or in regard to my higher education,” said Khalimendik, who completed home-schooling in 2016 and plans to major in American literature at Lake Forest College. “I also have made amazing friends at CLC, which has been a second home to me.”

The oldest graduate is Georgia Birutas, 74, a Volo resident who earned a yoga teacher certificate.

“CLC’s instructors are excellent, and the ability to take classes around my schedule was wonderful.,” said Birutas, a former computer programmer who currently works as a care giver and now plans to teach yoga. “It’s excellent to see adult many students and retirees taking classes at CLC. A person should never stop learning.”

CLC’s Summer Session begins June 10, and Fall Semester starts Aug. 19. For details, visit www.clcillinois.edu/register-for-summer-and-fall.