The Class of 2017 represents 29 Indiana counties, 11 states, and 12 countries. Fifty-two students are earning master’s degrees. Another 579 are earning their bachelor’s, while 12 will receive associate degrees. Some students earned more than one degree. Forty percent of the graduates are first-generation college students.
Chancellor Susan Sciame-Giesecke will present the graduating class on Tuesday, May 9, at 1 p.m., at the Kokomo Event and Conference Center.
Ben Liechty, director of alumni relations and campus ceremonies, congratulates the graduates, and welcomed them as alumni.
“Commencement is always an exciting, joyous occasion,” he said. “It’s incredible to see and feel the positive energy not only from the graduates, but also our faculty and staff. We are thrilled to welcome our graduates into the IU alumni family.”
The School of Nursing has the largest number of graduates, with 178 earning the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The second most frequent degree being awarded is the Bachelor of General Studies with 79. This brings that grand total number of graduates from IU Kokomo to 14,330.
Amber M. Moore will represent the graduates as class speaker. Moore, from Kokomo, is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Kokomo native Beth Brooke-Marciniak will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the ceremony.
As global vice chair of public policy at EY (formerly Ernst & Young), Brooke-Marciniak influences the company’s policy positions. She works with stakeholders around the world to address issues impacting the accounting profession and the global capital markets.
She was in the first class of women’s basketball players to receive athletic scholarships to Purdue University, where she played from 1977-1980. She graduated with highest distinction with a degree in computer science and management, with courses in accounting before joining EY. She worked for President Bill Clinton’s administration for two years in the U.S. Treasury.
Brooke-Marciniak is a champion of diversity and inclusion efforts, and works to help other female athletes succeed in business. She helped create the EY Women Athletes Business Network, to help female athletes transition to success in life beyond sports.
Commencement is open to the public, with no tickets required. Free parking is available at the Event Center, 1500 North Reed Road (US 931 North) or at the Ivy Tech Community College campus, 1815 East Morgan Street, with shuttle service starting at 10:30 a.m.
Graduates and their families are invited to a reception on campus in Alumni Hall immediately following the ceremony. They may also celebrate at the Senior Salute, at 6 p.m. Friday, May 5, in Alumni Hall. The event is free and also open to alumni. Those planning to attend should RSVP to alumni@iuk.edu.
Commencement can be viewed via live streaming at broadcast.iu.edu.
For more information, go to iuk.edu/commencement.
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.