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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville launched a series of commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 6 celebrating the momentous achievement of 2,356 eligible graduates in the Vadalabene Center’s First Community Arena. Ceremonies will continue on Saturday, May 7.

On Friday, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD, conferred degrees on graduates from the Graduate School, as well as the Schools of Business; Nursing; and Education, Health and Human Behavior.

Colin Boysen served as the student speaker during the School of Business’ 9 a.m. event. Boysen was an active member of multiple student organizations, taking on leadership roles and recruiting new members. When the pandemic hit, Boysen led the development of the Cougar Connectors peer mentoring program to support first-year students. Next, he will pursue law school at the Chicago-Kent College of Law.

“Your degree represents your grit and determination to succeed in spite of a pandemic,” Boysen said. “Ahead of you lies an uncertain world. What does it mean to graduate with a business degree in 2022? It means you have proven that you can adapt and overcome. You are prepared for changes and will succeed in the business world despite any obstacles ahead. The future awaits. Congratulations!”

During the School of Nursing’s 12 p.m. ceremony, awards were presented to Demarco Brownlee and Kaylie Rhoades for their student leadership. Tami Tutor was recognized for her outstanding contributions to community service.

SON student speaker James Clancy received a doctor of nursing practice in the Nurse Anesthesia program. Clancy earned a bachelor’s in nursing from SIUE in 2015, and worked as a registered nurse in both a cardiothoracic intensive care unit and a children’s emergency department before returning to pursue his doctoral degree. He will begin his career as a nurse anesthetist with South County Anesthesia Associates at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis.

“We have all engaged in countless hours of studying, completed many exams, and provided high quality care to patients during clinical rotations,” Clancy shared. “You completed all of this to establish yourselves among the most trusted professionals in the world.”

Clancy shared the advice he once received from a preceptor during his clinical experiences: “Live in the moment. Do not let life pass you up. It’s great to set and achieve goals, but you should appreciate the small victories along the way, or you might miss out on something great.”

The University honored Distinguished Service Award recipient Shirley Portwood, PhD, during its 4 p.m. ceremony for all Graduate School graduates. Portwood is a professor emerita of history at SIUE, longtime educator and a former SIU Board of Trustees member.

“I am honored to receive this Distinguished Service Award,” said Portwood. “I thank those who mentored and supported me over the years, including my family and my parents, who insisted that all of their children go to college and become professionals.”

“Much of my service has been inspired by the examples that I saw growing up in various communities,” she continued. “At an early age, we learned the importance of community. Everyone helped everyone else without expecting reciprocity. We didn’t know the term ‘pay it forward’ at that time, but that’s what we did. Experiences at SIUE reinforced that pay it forward ideology. Faculty encouraged me to soar higher than I had originally aimed. My service has been defined by those who have surrounded, nurtured and inspired me.”

Now a three-time alumna of SIUE, student speaker Charity Eugea earned a doctorate in educational leadership. Eugea is an administrator for the Sparta Community Unit School District.

“Perspective is a powerful tool,” she said. “It can be the lens through which we view the glass as half empty or half full, the sky as partly cloudy or partly sunny, or as a chance to fail or succeed. As graduate students we’ve learned how to challenge our thinking, go beyond our understanding of the facts, and truly understand the power of perspective.”

Friday’s series of ceremonies will conclude with a 7 p.m. celebration of School of Education, Health and Human Behavior graduates.

During the ceremony, Cobb will confer a doctor of humane letters on Henry L. Roediger III, PhD, an honor bestowed upon individuals who have made a profound impact on SIUE. He serves as the James S. McDonnell Distinguished Professor of psychology at Washington University. Roediger, a world-renowned cognitive scientist, has studied human learning and memory for the past 50 years.

Carmen Cornejo, who is earning a bachelor’s in elementary education, will serve as the student speaker. Following graduation, Cornejo will begin teaching fifth grade at Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary in St. Louis while pursuing a master’s in education at SIUE.

Commencement events continue Saturday, May 7 for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering.

All ceremonies are being streamed live on siue.edu/tv.

Photos: An SIUE graduate receives her diploma.

SIUE’s spring 2022 commencement ceremonies will honor 2,356 graduates.

James Clancy served as the School of Nursing student speaker.

A School of Nursing graduate waves to her support system in celebration.

Graduates of the SIUE Class of 2022.