Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook, PhD, is overseeing the spring 2019 commencement exercises that began this morning with School of Business students receiving their undergraduate degrees at the Vadalabene Center. All ceremonies are streamed on siue.edu/tv.
Pembrook congratulated the graduates on their hard work, persistence, and focus that propelled them to degree completion. “Your wide array of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives have made SIUE a better institution during your time here,” he said. “We hope you will return often to campus to update us on your successes and to enjoy the ongoing vibrant campus environment that is SIUE.”
Student speaker Kelly Pfaff, of Sandwich, who earned a bachelor’s in economics and finance, pointed to Professor Mary Anne Pettit’s enthusiasm and passion for changing Pfaff’s perspective on a business career. “I didn’t expect to grow to care about this school and community in the way that I have, and be thankful for it providing so many of the things that make my life happier,” she said. “I know now that if you keep moving with clarity and a willingness to change and grow, you’ll make it by alright. You’ll find yourself happy in where your life is headed, excited by what lies beyond.”
Former SIUE President Earl Lazerson will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at the Saturday 6 p.m. ceremony for the second session of College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) students, and the School of Engineering. Lazerson served as SIUE's president for nearly 14 years. He joined the SIUE faculty in 1969 and taught mathematics until he assumed the role of interim University president in 1979, and then permanently in 1980.
Lazerson was committed to making SIUE an engine for economic development in the region. He worked diligently to create the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois as a regional chamber of commerce and the Southwestern Illinois Development Authority, which was established as a financial tool for job creation.
Lazerson placed great emphasis on strong undergraduate classes taught by professors instead of graduate students. He also made a renewed commitment to the SIUE East St. Louis Center. Among his most memorable achievements was consolidating various schools into what is known today as CAS and presiding over the construction of several major buildings, including the Vadalabene Center, the Student Fitness Center, the dental clinic at the SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton, the University’s first 500-student residence hall and the Art and Design Building.
In 2017, Lazerson donated his collection of more than 2,000 books comprising mathematics materials to Lovejoy Library. The following year he and his wife created the Ann and Earl Lazerson Endowment to support a Lazerson Lecture Series in CAS, and a Dr. Earl Lazerson Mathematical Symposium in the Lovejoy Library. The inaugural Ann and Earl Lazerson Lecture was held on April 11 of this year and featured SIUE mathematics alumnus Dr. John Q. Walker, who discussed multi-modal approaches to solving Alzheimer’s.
The School of Nursing combines its traditional pinning ceremony with commencement at 2 p.m. Jessica Schnebly, of Springfield, is earning a doctor of nursing practice degree with a family nurse practitioner specialization, and serves as the student speaker.
The Graduate School concludes the first day at 6:30 p.m. Granite City native Lindsay Doolittle, who is earning a master’s in English, is the student speaker. The Graduate School ceremony will include all graduate students except those in the Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy.
Ceremonies resume at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. The morning student speaker is Laycee Thigpen, of Belleville, who is receiving a bachelor’s in early childhood education.
The Saturday afternoon ceremony begins at noon with the first College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) session. Student speaker Amy Yates, of South Roxana, is earning a bachelor’s in sociology with a specialization in diversity and social justice.
The School of Pharmacy combines its traditional hooding ceremony with commencement in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom at 3 p.m. Sonja Bromann, of Glen Ellyn, is earning a doctorate in pharmacy and will provide the student address.
The exercises conclude at 6 p.m. with the second session of CAS students and the School of Engineering. Litchfield native Kristin Ishmael, who is earning a bachelor’s in biological sciences – medical sciences specialization, is the final student speaker.
Photo: SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook congratulates Braxton McCarroll, president of SIUE Collegiate 100, at the 2019 Spring Commencement Ceremony for the School of Business.