Waubonsee Community College will celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 with commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 11, at the college’s Sugar Grove Campus Field House. Ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and tickets are required.
At Waubonsee, 983 individuals have earned degrees during the 2023-2024 academic year. Of that number, 30 students will graduate with two or more degrees. Sixty-three students earned Presidential Honors of a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) and 292 earned Academic Honors of a GPA between 3.5 and 3.9. The average GPA of this group of students is 3.24; a tremendous collective accomplishment.
This year’s commencement speaker will be Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent of West Aurora School District #129. Dr. Craig is an esteemed educational leader dedicated to the betterment of the community. Since 2014, Dr. Craig has spearheaded remarkable advancements in School District 129, including successfully passing an $84.2 million dollar referendum, enhancing the district’s financial stability, ensuring equitable learning environments, and fostering robust career pathways.
As a former chairman of Aurora’s Educational Commission, Dr. Craig actively engages in initiatives benefitting educational systems across the Aurora area. With a diverse background in education and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Illinois-Champaign, he brings a wealth of expertise to his role. Dr. Craig’s passion for the sport of wrestling, highlighted by his achievements as an Athletic Hall of Fame member at Richards High School and organizer of wrestling events for the 1996 Olympic Games, reflects his commitment to excellence. As he prepares for retirement in July, Dr. Craig remains dedicated to collaborating with the community to ensure academic success for every student in School District 129.
The 56th commencement ceremonies will be led by Faculty Marshal Denise Nakaji, Professor of Massage Therapy, and Student Marshal Agnel Camarillo-Tolentino, Student Senate President. Camarillo-Tolentino is also a Class of 2024 graduate. Friends, family members, and community members who do not have a ticket or are otherwise unable to attend commencement can tune into the ceremonies via the college’s live stream, which will begin just before each ceremony.
The livestreamed commencement ceremonies will be translated into Spanish. For more information about commencement, visit waubonsee.edu/graduation.
