BAKER COLLEGE OF FLINT SALUTES GRADUATES SUNDAY, JUNE 15

FLINT, Mich. – The 2014 commencement ceremonies for 760 Baker College of Flint students is 1 p.m., Sunday, June 15, at Perani Arena & Event Center, 3501 Lapeer Road, Flint.

“We are looking forward to a congratulatory celebration that recognizes the accomplishments of our students,” said Julianne T. Princinsky, Ed.D., Baker College of Flint president. “Our graduates should be commended for choosing to invest in themselves to gain the skills and training necessary for workplace success.”

This will be the last class of graduates congratulated by Princinsky as president. She will retire Aug. 31 after 38 years with Baker College of Flint. She has served as president since 1995 during which time Baker's enrollment has grown from nearly 3,300 to more than 5,000 students today. She was the first female president of a Flint-based college and the first woman president within the Baker College system.

Commencement speakers

The keynote speaker is Michael Brown, a long-time leader in Michigan’s government and nonprofit sectors who is currently president of Prima Civitas, a nonprofit organization that creates resilient, adaptable communities in Michigan.

Brown began his 40-year career by managing a day care center with his wife. He went on to counsel runaway youth and was quickly involved in leadership positions with the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, the Michigan Association of Counties and the City of Flint, where he worked in the areas of governmental relations and economic development in addition to later serving as acting mayor for six months in 2009. He was later tapped by Gov. Rick Snyder to lead the City of Flint as emergency manager.

Brown also spent 17 years in the nonprofit sector leading the American Red Cross—Genesee-Lapeer Chapter, United Way of Genesee & Lapeer and the Capital Area United Way, Lansing. He has also been executive vice president for the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In 2009, he established the Flint Area Reinvestment Office (FARO) to provide technical assistance to organizations for Flint-area initiatives through grants and federal and state funding.

The student speaker is Jennifer Slayton, of Flint, who will be graduating with an associate degree in health information technology. Slayton was a stay-at-home mother for 12 years before turning to Baker College in 2012 for training to join the workforce. She has been involved in several student groups, including serving as mentorship chairperson for the Baker Health Information Management Association, and was selected to represent Baker College at the 2013 College Town Leadership Summit. She will continue her education at Baker College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in health services administration while working in the field.

A most-inspiring graduate

Among the graduates is Tyneshia McFarland, who will receive an associate degree in orthotic/prosthetic technology (OPT). The single mother of four—two boys and two girls ranging in age from one to eight years—moved to Michigan from Jackson, Mississippi, for the unique Baker College of Flint program.

“There are only six programs like Baker’s across the U.S.,” McFarland said. “I was attracted to the Baker program because of its focus on career training. The English and math that are required directly relate to the English and math required for a career in orthotics and prosthetics. The OPT lab resembles an OPT lab in a career setting.”

She will be the third generation of her family to pursue a career in OPT. McFarland’s grandfather worked for a prosthetic company after losing one leg in World War II. Her father was in the roofing business until he also lost a leg. He became a certified orthotics and prosthetic practitioner and founded First Choice Orthotics & Prosthetics in Jackson.

The next step for McFarland is completing a 12-week externship at Anew Life Prosthetics and Orthotics in Detroit. Then, she will continue her education at Baker College to complete a bachelor’s degree in health services administration and will earn a master’s degree before rejoining the family business in Mississippi.

McFarland is impressed with the support she has received from her instructors and admissions counselors at Baker College. She especially credits her mentor, Brenda Brown, Ph.D., learning support services director, for her success thus far.

“Dr. Brown was also a single mother raising children while completing her education,” McFarland said. “When times have been tough for me, she has always shared words of wisdom and advice to get me through.” 


The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a nonprofit higher education institution, serving more than 35,000 students on 12 campuses and in three satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration. As a career college, the Baker College system is pleased to report that 97 percent of its available graduates are employed. For more information about Baker College, please check out our website at www.baker.edu.

###