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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, conferred degrees upon 1,411 eligible graduates during December 2024 commencement exercises, held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14 in the First Community Arena at the Vadalabene Center.

Led by Denise Cobb, PhD, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and respective deans, SIUE’s 132nd commencement celebration began at 2 p.m. Friday with the School of Nursing. Kassidy Nunn, Bachelor of Science, Nursing, gave remarks on behalf of the Class of 2024.

Nunn acknowledged that along with her fellow classmates, they endured many obstacles to reach this milestone. She shared her own low point: She lost her father while a student, failed a class and informed her school community that she was going to give up pursuing her nursing degree. Faculty, friends and family encouraged her to do otherwise.

Nunn publicly thanked the faculty, clinical sites and her late father who taught her an important lesson. “We may not have as much time as we expect here, but the time we do have is enough to make a lasting impression.”

Nunn currently works at Anderson Hospital on the obstetrics-postpartum floor and plans to become a midwife.

At each of the ceremonies, Gireesh V. Gupchup, PhD, FAPhA, Vice President for Academic Innovation, Planning and Partnerships, Southern Illinois University System (SIU) and professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at SIUE School of Pharmacy, emphasized the economic impact of SIU in the form of $4 billion dollars into area communities, generating more than 45,000 jobs. SIUE’s portion of the economic contribution is $1.3 billion and nearly 7,000 jobs.

“Today, you become part of our long tradition of producing outstanding graduates,” said Gupchup.

Minor took care in reminding graduates that as they enter their next phase of life beyond SIUE, there is a responsibility that comes with a companion that will accompany their journey: uncertainty. 

“Uncertainty has always been and will always be a constant,” said Minor. He discussed the correlation between uncertainty and possibility and referenced text from authors Nathan and Susannah Furr titled, “The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown.”

Minor spoke of lessons from humanity, when moments of uncertainty arise.

“I hope that each of you will remember the upside of uncertainty and lean into the opportunity to present yourself as a moment of growth, an opportunity for innovation and cultivation of a more meaningful, inspired and authentic life.”

The student speaker for the Friday, 5:30 p.m. graduate school commencement ceremony was Amber Withycombe, MPA. She considered her current degree--after receiving an MFA and transitioning from a writing career to that of a museum administrator to higher education then public service—a self-described “do-over.”

Withycombe, who currently works as a City Manager in St. Louis County, offered the following testimonial to fellow classmates: “What would it take to engineer a career change in middle age while parenting two children and working full-time? After spending 20 years building skills and networks in one profession, would a complete transition be possible, especially in public sector environments that typically honor consistency and frown on risk? I stand before you tonight because the answer is yes.”

Ashley Ann Jones, program coordinator, Community Engagement for SIUE’s Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub, also crossed the stage during the graduate school ceremony to receive her Master of Science, Kinesiology degree. 

Jones had advice for those considering graduate school after starting a career: “My advice to those pursuing their graduate degrees is to articulate the reasons why they are seeking their degrees. My 'why' gave me motivation and drive when it became difficult to manage my job, school, and family. Graduate school is a gift that I gave myself to better myself and ultimately move into the career that I have always wanted. Find your 'why' and hold on to it!"

Minor said to the graduates and their supporters, “Just 13% of individuals in this nation over [the age of] 25 possess a master’s degree. Only 2% over the age of 25 hold a doctorate.”

He added, “I ask that you remember the privilege and the responsibility that come with being an educated citizen, and I encourage you to use your knowledge, talent, your skills and experience, not only to make a lasting impact professionally, but to also make outsized contributions to your community and to society.”

The 10 a.m. ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14 presented graduates of the SIUE School of Business and School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB).

Georgia Litteken, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, an active member of the John Martinson Honors Program, was the student speaker. She spoke of a professor who livened up lectures by playing recording artists like The Eagles. With this in mind, Litteken advised her fellow graduates to “make the most out of every moment.”

She then directed her comments to those who put themselves through school and dealt with demanding bosses along the way.

“Take a deep breath and realize that we will fail. All of us here today will inevitably make mistakes in our careers. However, the real prize is in what you do with these failures. Do not live your life in chains, forgetting that you have the key. Continue each failure by dusting yourself off, reflecting on what you could have done better and coming back even stronger.”

Litteken added, “Always set that yourself up for success, and remember you can't go out hooting with the owls all night and expect to soar with the eagles in the morning.” 
 
Litteken plans on pursing a graduate degree in construction management.

During the final commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. student speaker and Eagle Scout, Kevin Botterbush, Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, addressed graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering (SOE).

Botterbush recalled the COVID-19 pandemic as the beginning of a series of challenges his classmates endured. They had to be both adaptable and creative. He said, “In a world that is constantly evolving, the ability to pivot is invaluable.”

Botterbush spoke to SOE strengths: “We must remember that we've chosen fields - engineering, computer science and construction management - that come with great responsibility. We design and build the world around us, whether we're maintaining the systems to keep our hospitals running, developing new technologies to push the boundaries of space exploration, or building the infrastructure that connects our communities. We have the power to change the world.”

He added, “We've learned that SIUE is where education meets industry, where we gain the practical skills to thrive in the real world. The lessons we've learned here will guide us as we step into our careers and the work ethic we’ve developed will drive us forward in everything we do.” 

PHOTOS:  Kassidy Nunn, Bachelor of Science, Nursing and Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD; Amber Withycombe, MPA; Georgia Litteken, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration; Kevin Botterbush, Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering and Minor