Commencement for Heartland Community College set for May 16

[May 09, 2015]  NORMAL - Heartland Community College's 23rd Annual Commencement takes place May 16, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. on the Normal campus quad, 1500 W. Raab Road. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Fitness and Recreation Center. Approximately 144 graduates are expected to participate.

A nursing pinning ceremony will precede commencement at 11:00 a.m. in the auditorium of the Astroth Community Education Center.

Normal West teacher selected as HCC's 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient

HCC alum and Normal West teacher, John Bierbaum, is the College’s 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. He will deliver the address at the College’s commencement ceremony, sharing his personal story and demonstrating how Heartland Community College positioned him for a rewarding and successful career in education. Bierbaum is the seventh recipient of the annual award, which recognizes individual career achievements and positive community impact while exhibiting Heartland values.
 

Bierbaum attended Heartland as a presidential scholar from 2001 to 2003 and earned an Associate of Arts degree. After facing a serious injury that had the potential to put his education on hold, he credits Heartland for keeping him on track. “My HCC family rallied,” he said. “My instructors, classmates and advisor worked with me to get back into my classes and be the presidential scholar I intended to be. At a time in my life where I could have faltered, I flourished, to which I am forever in debt to my HCC family.”

Most recently, Bierbaum was a finalist for Illinois Teacher of the Year (2013-14), which recognized his efforts in creating new strategies to keep students engaged in learning. “John has a passion for teaching that is unparalleled by most. His accomplishments during his first ten years of teaching demonstrate a level of commitment and dedication to his profession, students and community that sets a new standard,” said Bierbaum’s sister, Lindsay Allen, who nominated him for the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Matthew Donovan selected as student speaker

Heartland’s commencement also includes student speaker Matthew Donovan, winner of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s annual Paul Simon Essay Contest.

Embracing a queer identity, Donovan is a Rising Scholar scholarship recipient and has a rich background encompassing diverse roles as teacher, activist, writer and musician. They* have a strong online presence running a successful alternative health blog on tumblr.com and contributing to the health education resource, TheHealist.com. Additionally, Donovan has certification as a University of Illinois master gardener, completed an apprenticeship as an organic farmer, trained as a conflict mediator and is founder of the second longest-run occupy movement (2012).

After graduation, Donovan plans to move to Los Angeles and pursue an education in integrative medicine, counseling and critical studies.

[Becky Gropp, Heartland Community College]