MCC Graduation Class of 2012 Takes the Stage

McHenry County College is graduating 655 students this weekend during its commencement ceremony, including its first grads of the college’s new Culinary Arts program.

The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 12 at MCC. MCC is awarding 250 degrees and 405 certificates, according to a press release.

Jesica Carbajal of Hebron has been selected as the student speaker for the commencement ceremony. She will graduate with an Associate in Arts degree.

Also speaking will be MCC president Vicky Smith, Ed.D. In addition, Julie Freelove, instructor of Administrative Office Management, will give a final charge to all graduates as they move forward on their educational journey. Freelove is being awarded the Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA) 2012 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award.

Carbajal, who is the first person in her family to graduate from college, has overcome personal obstacles and plans to transfer to Roosevelt University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science. She also plans to attend law school so she can become a lawyer. She is most interested in immigration law.

This year’s commencement ceremony includes the College’s first two graduates of the new Associate in Applied Sciences for Culinary Management degree: Jamie J. Goddeyne of Crystal Lake and Elizabeth Ann Krol of Union.

Also new to this spring’s commencement is the addition of the Americana Cord for students who have served in the military.

They will wear a red, white and blue cord in recognition for their service to our country and community. The Americana Cord recipients are: John H. Kessler of Crystal Lake, Joshua Ray Soderburg of Crystal Lake, Mark A. Andrews of McCollum Lake, Taylor H. Matousek of Crystal Lake, and Danny Delgado of Woodstock.

This year’s commencement ceremony is reflective of the truly diverse and impressive group of students attending MCC. The following are notable students:

-Tim Carol is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Digital Media. He plans to return to MCC in the fall to complete the College’s new AAS in Graphic Design and transfer to DePaul University in Chicago to pursue a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. Carol, who has muscular dystrophy, uses a wheelchair. “He has not let that slow him down. He is one of the best students I’ve ever had,” said Meri Winchester. Carol said, “The Special Needs Department helped keep me informed on the services available, such as note taking, which I have used.”

-Danny Delgado, president of XGI Student Veterans Organization is receiving an Associate in General Education (AGE) and plans to attend DePaul University to major in business. “Danny has done an exemplary job as president of XGI. This past year, we have provided over 400 paperbacks to deployed army units in Afghanistan. Also, over $500 was raised for Honor Flights, where WWII veterans are given free flights to see the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.,” said Don Curfman, faculty advisor, Student Veterans Organization (XGI).

-Jamie Goddeyne, one of two students to receive MCC’s first Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Culinary Management. “Jamie is a great asset to our program and he works especially hard in the culinary environment and he already was hired at an area country club and then was part of hiring another student as kitchen manager,” said Thomas Kaltenecker, instructor of Culinary Management/Executive Chef.