The full ceremony, with graduate recognitions and
remarks from Heartland President Keith Cornille, Board of Trustees
member Rebecca Ropp and Student Speaker, Elizabeth Stein will stream
live via the Heartland Facebook and YouTube pages.
The College will also hold a diploma event on the Rob Widmer Quad on
the main campus in Normal. At 2:00 pm on Friday, May 14th, students
who have previously signed up on their graduation application will
participate in a walk-through, receive their diploma on a stage, and
have photos taken. Students will be allowed to have up to four
friends/family members present during the diploma event.
Elizabeth Stein selected as student speaker
Heartland’s commencement will include student speaker Elizabeth
Stein. Elizabeth is a non-traditional student who took a ten year
hiatus between attempts at college. During her time at Heartland,
she was a member of Project RISE and became a Peer Mentor with the
program, as well as served as the Community Outreach Director on the
Heartland Activities Committee and represented the group in the SGA.
She is also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
After graduation, Elizabeth will transfer to Illinois Wesleyan
University in the fall, double majoring in English and Secondary
Education. Her professional goal is to teach English in Japan, and
eventually come back to the states to teach creative writing.
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Justin Rickard selected as 2021 Distinguished
Alumni Award recipient
During the full ceremony on May 14, HCC alum Justin Rickard will be
recognized as the College’s 20219 Distinguished Alumni Award
recipient.
The annual award recognizes individual career achievements and
positive community impact while exhibiting Heartland values. Dr.
Justin Rickard is an Associate Professor of Animal Science with a
teaching and research appointment At Illinois State University. His
research program focuses on improving the livestock production and
food animal industries.
Rickard’s academic career started at Heartland Community College in
2000, which prepared him to transfer to the Department of
Agriculture at Illinois State University. There he earned a B.S.
degree in Animal Industry Management and M.S. degree in Agriculture
Sciences. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia
where he earned a Ph.D. in Animal Science.
[Steve Fast
Director, Public Information
Heartland Community College] |