Local residents among first culinary grads of Baker College of Port Huron

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PORT HURON, Mich. – The medallion ceremony for the first graduates of Baker College of Port Huron’s Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) was Thursday, June 11. Among the employers awaiting these CIM-Port Huron graduates are Harsens Island Brewery in Marysville, Champions Club at Comerica Park in Detroit and the storied Union League Club of Chicago.

These students have grown with CIM-Port Huron since it was founded fall 2012 and have been among the first to benefit from the new world-class facility that Baker College built specifically for the study of culinary arts.

A video presentation highlighted growth of the CIM-Port Huron and recognized the 15 students who have earned associate degrees in culinary arts. Each received a medallion on a black ribbon.

Speakers at the medallion ceremony included Donald R. Torline, Baker College of Port Huron president, and Thomas F. Recinella, CIM-Port Huron program director and COURSES Restaurant executive chef. The special guest speaker was Connie Harrison, Ph.D., former Baker College of Port Huron president.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 28,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in online education and offers 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.

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CIM-Port Huron 1—Jill Tucker, of St. Clair, receives a graduation medallion from Paula Recinella, COURSES manager and CIM-Port Huron instructor, at a special medallion ceremony for the first graduates of CIM-Port Huron.

CIM-Port Huron 2—The first graduates of Baker College of Port Huron’s Culinary Institute of Michigan were awarded graduation medallions at a special ceremony in front of family and friends. The 2015 CIM-Port Huron graduates are, first row, Sarah Rumpz, of Port Huron; Jill Tucker, of St. Clair; Jessie Marie Taylor, Port Huron; Saengaroon Rhodes, of St. Clair; Catlyn Paraski, Sterling Heights; and Heidi Lohn, of Port Huron. Second row is Justin Trupiano, Marysville; Jon Strauchman, of Smiths Creek; James Pecor, St. Clair; Matt Moutoux, Port Huron; Jonathan Mosier, of Capac; Gabriel LaVere, of Marysville; Shawn Kraft, of Niagara Falls, New York; Marc Iles, of Troy; and Kevin Harrison, of Roseville.

CIM-Port Huron 3—Sarah Rumpz, of Port Huron, receives a graduation medallion from Paula Recinella, COURSES manager and CIM-Port Huron instructor, at a special medallion ceremony for the first graduates of CIM-Port Huron.