Baker College's Allen Park campus to bestow diplomas on more than 500 graduates

Baker College’s Allen Park campus will honor 530 graduates at the 2016 commencement ceremony at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 11, at the USA Hockey Arena (formerly Compuware Arena), 14900 Beck Road, Plymouth Township.

"At Baker College, our focus is firmly fixed on providing the quality education necessary for our students to succeed in their chosen careers," said Kristine L. Barann, CPA, Baker College of Allen Park president. “As they graduate and move into those careers, we commend them on achieving this milestone.”

The student speaker is Teresa Smith, of Southgate, who will earn an associate degree in nursing. The 46-year-old grandmother will share her inspirational story of returning to and flourishing in school after raising a family.

Smith’s decision to pursue a career as a hospice nurse was solidified when her mother was in hospice care before succumbing to complications of heart failure and cancer.

“No matter how my fellow graduates arrived at Baker College, graduation is our beginning,” Smith said. “We are all starting with a blank page, and we are the author. We hold the pen to write the rest of our own exceptional story.”

Smith’s family is creating a legacy at the Allen Park campus. Her sister-in-law will receive an associate degree in opticianry with Smith. Both her brother and husband have earned their degrees at the campus, too. Her brother holds a bachelor’s in project management; her husband has a bachelor’s in health services administration.

Samantha P. Baumgart, of Gibraltar, will receive the William Anthony Mason Service Award in recognition for her outstanding citizenship, activism and scholarship. She will receive a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and has a 3.98 GPA.

“Samantha has proven that college can be an excellent academic experience and a personal growth journey, as well,” said Carol Williams, program director of early childhood education. “She entered college a typical student whose confidence grew when she began to accept leadership positions in extracurricular groups. She graduates as a passionate, mature student leader who has learned that leadership means treating others with respect, supporting them and helping them grow.”

Several Baker College of Allen Park staff members are among the graduates, and all will be receiving master’s degrees. They are:

· Admissions Advisor Kate Carey, of Trenton, an MBA in marketing.

· Admissions Advisor John Grabowski, of Brownstown Township, an MBA in marketing.

· Business Officer Heather McInchak, of Southgate, an MBA in finance.

· Employment Coordinator of Career Services Kordilia Noble, of Hazel Park, a Master of Science in educational effectiveness–higher education.

· Admissions Advisor Vincent Renda, of Dearborn, an MBA in human resource management.

Also graduating from the Allen Park campus are several students who are related:

· Twins Ahmed (associate in accounting) and Ali (associate in human resource management) Al-Shimmary.

· Mother and daughter Kordilia Noble (master’s in educational effectiveness–higher education) and Harmonei’ Buckner (associate in surgical technology).

· Sisters-in-law Teresa Smith (associate of nursing) and Kellie Schwarz (associate in opticianry).

For more information about Baker College career programs, contact Steven Peterson in the admissions office at 313.425.3700 or steven.peterson@baker.edu, or visit www.baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Baker College grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. Every Baker College graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker College was one of the first in the state to offer students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.