Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wrapped up spring 2023 commencement honoring the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB) Sunday, May 7 at 10 a.m. The SEHHB ceremony concluded SIUE’s seven spring commencement ceremonies celebrating over 2,400 eligible graduates. 

Gireesh Gupchup, PhD, vice president for academic innovation, planning and partnerships for the Southern Illinois System, and professor in SIUE’s School of Pharmacy, addressed the Class of 2023. 

“Graduating from a university is a major accomplishment,” said Gupchup. “You should be proud that you persevered and got to this point. Now, as we look to the future both at SIUE and for each of you, we are excited about what will come next. We wish you the best of luck in the next chapter of your journey and know you will continue to accomplish great things.”

“Life will be full of good times and bad,” said Hailee O’Dell, who earned a bachelor’s in psychology and was elected by her peers to serve on the SIU Board of Trustees. “Yet in the face of adversity, we have persevered, adapted and grown stronger. We have learned the power of resilience and the importance of community, and we carry these lessons with us as we embark on the next chapter of our lives.”

The SEHHB student speaker, Hannah Sauerhage, who earned a bachelor’s in elementary education, encouraged her fellow graduates to keep dreaming and achieving.

“Our goals did not end at a career when we were younger, so our goals should not end now that we have graduated,” Sauerhage said. “Keep creating goals, keep moving on with your life, remember that big things do not end after you graduate college. You can make more goals and find things to help you become the person that you want to be. So, keep dreaming, keep believing, and keep achieving.”

All commencement ceremonies were streamed live at siue.edu/tv.

Photos: SIUE graduate earns their degree. 

SEHHB student speaker Hannah Sauerhage addresses her fellow graduates.