76th Commencement: Lake Michigan College awards 472 degrees and certificates during May 7 ceremonies

Lake Michigan College President Dr. Trevor Kubatzke stepped to the podium on Sunday, May 7, for the College's 76th annual commencement ceremonies at The Mendel Center Mainstage to address the crowd. 

"As president, I am immensely proud of our graduates and the incredible accomplishments they have achieved during their time with us," he said. "Education is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about developing critical thinking skills, fostering a sense of community, and promoting social responsibility. We are confident that our graduates will use their education to make a positive impact in their communities and the world." 

A total of 456 students received 472 degrees and certificates from 31 areas of study, including 431 associate degrees, 15 advanced certificates, and 26 certificates of achievement during 10 a.m. (Arts & Sciences and General Studies) and 1 p.m. (Career & Workforce and Health Sciences) ceremonies. 

Two hundred forty-nine students, or 54 percent of the Class of 2023, graduated with honors (157 with honors, 79 with high honors, and 13 with highest honors). 

Graduates hailed from 10 U.S. states and eight countries (Australia, Brazil, China, Columbia, Denmark, Mexico, and Venezuela). 

Students who received academic affairs program awards were Emily Martindale, Jared Smith, and Cody Wigginton (Spirit of Nursing Award); James Burke and Dwayne Ridgway Jr. (Bob Schodorf Distinguished Natural Sciences Scholar Award); and Evie Clare, Holly Curtiss, Babriella Cuthbert, Amber Mendoza, Eva Perez Gonzalez, Zian Ren, Kelsey Renfro, Madison Ruwersma, and Erin Schneider (Betts Rittmeyer Natural Sciences Scholar Award).  

Alejandra Ramirez, Kalyah Watson, and Aalyah Watson, chosen as Class of 2023 student speakers, spoke during commencement. Student speakers are nominated by their peers, LMC faculty, and staff based on academic excellence, integrity, and compassion for their classmates.  

Twin sisters Kalyah Watson and Aalyah Watson, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who are 2021 graduates of the Milwaukee School of Languages, played for the Red Hawks Women's Basketball Team. Kalyah Watson received an Associate in General Studies, and Aalyah Watson received an Associate in Arts. 

"Time stops for no one, so what are you going to do with it?" they said during the morning ceremony. "Whatever you do, always embrace the journey, find beauty in the process and keep walking your path. LMC offers access to opportunity, and once you take it, it feels like a community." 

Ramirez, a St. Joseph resident, and 2019 St. Joseph High School graduate received her Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. 

"To me, LMC means opportunity and growth," she said during the afternoon ceremony. "Opportunity, because no matter where you come from, your background, or socioeconomic status, LMC hands you a large list of possibilities to make your plans come to life and build your future with you. Growth because I grew out of my comfort zone. I learned love for the career I chose, and I met great people who helped me along the way." 

In addition to the student speakers and Dr. Kubatzke, presenters included LMC Board of Trustees Chair John Grover, Trustee Mary Jo Tomasini, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Ken Flowers, and Vice President of Student Affairs Nygil Likely. 

2023 graduates include:  

Honors notations: 
*Honors (3.25-3.74 GPA) 
**High Honors (3.75-3.99 GPA) 
*** Highest Honors (4.00 GPA)  

Associate Degree Recipients  

Allegan  

Joseph Patrick Allen*, Kenna McKenzie Baker**, Ryan Christopher Brink, Joran Ruth Brown, Olivia Terese Clearwater*, Kathryn Renee Cliffman*, Holly Ann Curtiss**, Liberty Anne Laforest, Cameron Roger Pierce, Nova Jean Plumley**, Laura Michelle Rogers, AnnaBelle Kean VanderScheer*, Layla Marie Webb, Hunter Jacob Weeks**  

Arlington, Texas  

Leaya Elizabeth Larson  

Ashmore, Australia  

Douglas Ryuta Briese  

Bangor  

Johnathon Eugene Borsodi, Carter Stephen-Hale Fowler*, Erica M Karr, Angelia Marie Ross  

Baroda  

Aurelia Grace Davis*, Melanie Yareli Hernandez*, Katie Jo Rainey, Jose Mauricio Ramirez Ochoa, Paige Alexis Schubach*, Chapin E Schultz, Chelsey Sobralski-Cole, Marissa Kathleen Turcotte*  

Batavia, Illinois  

Paige Elaine Ashby**  

Battle Creek  

Hailey Jo Borden  

Benton Harbor  

Kolen Jamel-James Adams*, Alexandra Arrans*, Kelly Renee Bartalone, Joanna Katrice Blue, Jonen Bravo*, Alex N Bryant III, Monica R Buford, Paula Jean Camp**, Kendra Canary Cook, Elizabeth Bryanne Cox*, Tracie Crenshaw***, Olivia Marie Dowmer, Brandon Wayne Edgarton, Madison Ann Ficks, Ametrius R Fleming, Alondra Gallardo*, Kierra Irene Lowe, Gabriela Trinidad Mancera, Sharon Marr*, Mackenzie Leigh Matheny*, Katherine Rose Mattner**, Darlene Joyce Mattson, Sydareha K Moss, Jodi Louise Prillwitz, Taylor Ashley Prillwitz*, Andrew Jonathan Quinones, Dayja Le'Shai Randolph, Edwyn Jafert Rodriguez-Zarco, Reyna Jazmin Steed, Quincy Sulton  

Berrien Center  

Gabriella Alyse Cuthbert**, Karl Edward Garcia Overton***, Kara Lynn Villwock*  

Berrien Springs  

Nadege Hadjatou Minda Adamou*, Vitor Costa Nogueira Barbosa**, James Christopher Burke***, Jackson Robert Christner*, Isabela Susann Constable*, Richmond Dwomoh, Ryan Christopher Fernando, Matthew Holden Grimm**, Brandon Joseph Haygood*, Jacob Douglas Haygood**, Alexa Jean Kesterke*, Linda Marie Klein, Isaiah Michael Patrick McCrevan*, Logan Eric Mead*, Aldrich Nathanael Mongkau**, Tabitha Ashley Nelson**, Bethany Grace Shelley, Jack Vernon Tourangeau*, Brandon M Tripp**, Josiah Gabriel Ward*, Sebastian Ashburne Warsop*    

Bloomingdale  

Nancy Pearl Furlan  

Boothville, Louisiana  

Joseph Noel Taylor II*  

Brazil  

Grazieli Martins de Galiza*, Angelina Flandoli Rieli***  

Bridgman  

Morgen Elisabeth Ales*, Priscilla Jean Brinker*, Madison Ann Catania*, Ashley L Davis*, MyKayla Ann Hays, Haylee Diane Kanous*, Bryan James Nelson*, David Glenn-Reece Ott*, Brandon Christopher Owen**, Christina Anne Shaffer-Wahr, Ava Marie Ward   

Buchanan  

Sierra Renee Abrahamson, Meikelle Angeleise Andrews, Camryn E Baber, Lauren Ashley Bentham*, Maria Alexandra Bouzas, Sierra Dawn Cahill**, Lanna-Marie Jean Draper, Georvon Flores*, Daniel J Lane*, Lainie Nicole Miller*, Miranda Lee Miller, Christopher Scott Powers*, Dwayne E Ridgway Jr**, Alexis Olivia Scott, Brett Martin Valentine  

Canton  

Angela Martina Schmidt*  

Cassopolis  

Caitlyn Lee Steensma*, TiLynne La'Nae Williams*  

Chesterton, Indiana  

Bradley Thomas Petersen  

Chicago, Illinois  

Abdoulaye Ba, Kea'ka Julia Stokes, Jadon Curtis Williams  

Coloma  

Jordane P Baushke*, Loghan E Baushke**, Amanda Jane Bennett*, Brittany Nicole Bovo*, Caleb Israel Dahlke**, Richlie Marie Fikes, Grace Madeline Gagliardo*, Ashley Lynn Gilson, Abigail Lynn Huttenga*, Sara Ann Krieger**, Catherine Marie Kusnierz*, Melissa Latsch, Michelle Ann Nicholson-Menter, Hunter Lane Rennick, Samantha Lyn Nicole Rogers, Kimberly K Salinas, Christopher Paul Smith**, Mackenzie Leann Strunk*  

Coopersville   

Madison Lynn Ruwersma*  

Coppell, Texas  

JoCorian Armond Freeman  

Covert  

Jermara Simone Blackmon, Jennifer Fabian, Marshawn Octavious Jones, Keytra Monique De'shay Lewis, Hayley Marie Rose, Aloniea Jhanea Yancey, Tamara Renee Yancey  

Davison  

Ellary Grace Darling**  

Decatur  

Andrea Lee Feury*  

Delton  

Leah Joy Grentz*  

Detroit  

Kayla Kristie-ineal Cramatie  

Douglas  

Margaret Adele Rininger*  

Dowagiac  

Katlyn Nicole Briney**  

Eau Claire  

Shannon Nicole Arndt, Toni Lynne Dunn, Tamara Jane Gilson*, Terry McCain*, Frank R Kuiken*, Anna Kaeleen Lechleitner*, Kassandra Lopez, Pamela Jo Hess*, Brittany Rachelle Riippa, Betty Kaye Timmreck, Brigg Harrison True**  

Fennville  

Adriana Gisselle Almanza, Alyssa Shay Beeson, Vivianna Espino**, Isabel Garcia, Sarah Marie Pitts, Delinna Ramos, Crystal Anne Salyers   

Fort Myers, Florida  

Cargan Ross Murray**  

Fort Worth, Texas  

Mathias David Carnero  

Gobles  

Libbee Elaine Nason  

Grand Junction  

Autumn Amber Beck, Christopher Michael Garrison, JeanAnn Lorraine Miller, Katelynn Marie Slater  

Grand Rapids  

Brooke Michelle Stegehuis**  

Granger, Indiana  

Jaspal Kaur, Priya Singh**  

Hales Corners, Wisconsin  

Alexa Merrill Berg  

Harbert  

Abigail Grace Folsom*  

Hartford  

Jessica Cardoso**, Olivia Castelan-Rodriguez**, Lilah Alyn Cray, Charity Marie Johnson, Russell Raymond Smith*, Tia Marie Thomas, Keri Lynn Williamson*  

Holland  

Nayla Marie Alvarez-Gomez*, Tamara Lee Hill*, Hannah Paquette  

Hopkins  

Jalynn Marie Dean, Brynn Landrigan**, Kenton Charles Landrigan**, Riley Fay Landrigan**, Aubrey Paige Russell  

Howell  

Kimberly Niccole Steele***  

Jenison  

Jillian Elizabeth Sutton**  

Kalamazoo  

Tannah Aliese Perin*, Sha'brea L Shepherd, Marah Joy Slager**  

Kingsford  

Alicia Christine Morgan**  

Lapeer  

Charity Kathryn-Mae Dundas***  

LaPorte, Indiana  

Samuel Richard Garrison  

Lawrence  

Emma Grace Hasse, Kelly Lynn Jasensky**  

Little Elm, Texas  

Brian Antony Tenille Hunter Jr.  

Livonia  

Carson Van Dike  

Marshall  

Teagan Lynn Giannunzio  

Martin  

Zachary Michael Bailey, Trent Michael Kimmel**, Javan Michael Lowe, Jenna Paige Marsman**  

Mattawan  

Olivia Grace Eubank*  

Medellin, Antioquia, Columbia  

Heyder Uriel Conde**  

Mexico  

Faviola Ramirez-Mata  

Middlebury, Indiana  

Robert Tyler Baumgartner**  

Midland  

Gabriella Marie White  

Milwaukee, Wisconsin  

Aalyah Autom Watson*, Kalyah Summer Watson  

Mishawaka, Indiana  

Jon Michael Badur***, Kaleb Jefferson Johnson*  

Mount Clemens  

Micah Porter Johnson  

Mt. Pleasant  

Mia Rui-Rong Vanderveen  

New Buffalo  

Yasmine Mia Boyd**, Jasmine Jane D'Arcangelis, Amanda Paige Geisler**, Michael Christopher Mark*, Tannah Lorraine Nieman  

New Carlisle, Indiana  

Kelseigh Morgan Kopinski*  

Niles  

Annelise Heather Bedell, Hannah Jane Bullard*, Jonathon Thomas Bybee, Jazmin Capula*, Madison Renee Cavanaugh*, Micah Jeffrey Colby, Cassandra Dianne Cook, Ty Oliver Elms*, Kade Willard Erwin*, Zachary Ryan Fillwock*, Lisa Marie Folkers, Cheyenne Rosejoy Ganshorn, Jordan Ashley Jameson, Drew Edward Johnson*, Miranda Lynn Jones*, Kayla Christine Lindsley*, Kevin Magana, Alexia Renee Martinez, Krystal Rose McCully, Hayleah Marie McFadden*, Janenne Spring Mercer**, Chelsie Nicole Messer*, Cricket Elizabeth Nelson, Josiah Steven Nichols*, Mark Anthony Pacheco**, Eva Perez Gonzalez*, Olivia Renae Riddle, Rachel Lynn Riffel***, Britteney Jeanette Stanczyk, Caitlin Michelle Stanner*, McKenna Ann Thompson, Hope Hudgins Typer*, Madelyn West Van Dyke*, Noah David Vogl, Cristian Andrew Wilson*, Kenley Renee Witherspoon**, Rymma Won***,  Paul McCray Wreggelsworth**  

Oak Park, Illinois  

Joseph Robert Ratz  

Ostego  

Kaleb Douglas Baker**, Chais Paul Carpenter, Dagim Isaac Deboer*, Evelyn Naomi Dekema, Kendalyn Marie Haskins*, Trenton Anthony Johnson*, Kathryn Kay LaBonte*, Cailynn Elizabeth Phelps*, Elise Renee Tolan*, Destiny Lynn Wheeler  

Otsego Township  

Donovan William Goodwin**  

Paw Paw  

Jared Scott Smith*, Mercedes Kathleen Strachan  

People's Republic of China  

Zian Ren*  

Philippines  

Jenia Jade Monaghan  

Plainwell  

Evan Tyler Beauregard, Kenison Paige Bosma**, Olivia Rebecca VanderLugt*  

Plymouth, Indiana  

Amialla Rose Wojcik**  

Portage  

Gary Chris Roberts*  

Portage, Indiana  

Leslie Ann Stormont*  

Pullman  

Matthew Brian Christie*, Isabel Guadalupe Garcia, Stephanie Martinez*, Alexander Thomas McNeely**   

Rancho Cucamonga, California  

Christopher Hosea Sihotang  

Rogers City  

Jillian Lee McCallum Delke**  

Saginaw  

Michael Mark Martinak  

Saint Joseph  

Austin Mitchell Archer**, Kaitlyn June Bailey*, Danielle Sue Baldwin, Lauryn Michelle Bennett, Ryan Scott Bluschke, Emma Carolyn Breitkreuz*, Margaret Elizabeth Brunner*, Darius Comfort, Dana Marie Conard*, Tavion Hassan Crump, Jessica Lynn Dandron, Timothy Brian Dokter*, Anne Lynn Doyle*, Ronda Jewell Dunn, Dillon K Falcone*, Lucia Therese Forestieri***, Olivia Isabelle Gilfoyle*, Jasmine Kalis Jones*, Sierra Dawn Jorgensen, Eric William Keeler**, Ellen Kersjes*, Ashlyn Raine Kohn**, Carrie M Montemayor*, Christine Jean Neeley, Madelyn Anne Ostenson*, Kenzie Storm Page-Wood, Arden Lee Paustian, Parker Kelley Preis, Kelsey Ann Renfro**, Brittany Nicole Rixie*, Baylee Anne Elizabeth Rodriguez*, Alana Noel Scaccia*, Miranda Maye Shindeldecker*, Helena Lechelle Vankirk*, Karri Elizabeth Weber*, Christopher Cody Wigginton*, Alex Michael Wood, Michael Joseph Wright  

Saugatuck  

Lisa Marie Lungaro*  

Sawyer  

Caroline Trendel Horist**  

Shelby Township  

Bumeun Lee Park  

Shelbyville  

Jamille Alyssa Flores Vanderzand*  

Sister Lakes   

Korey Danielle Jones*  

Sodus  

Evie Ruth Clare**, Alexis Hobbs  

South Bend, Indiana  

Lauryn Amanda Ashford*, Anna Stasia Balsbaugh**, Emily Marie Nelson**, Kyle Ryan Smith  

South Haven  

Gabriel David Bocock, Patricia Lynn Boyce, Heather Lynn Brewington**, Konnor Rigel Brugh, Paige Elizabeth Burson*, Teagan M Burson, Daniela Calderon-Andrade, Keyana Marie Ewing, Aaron Daniel Fillmore*, Jessica Garcia-Gomez*, Silita Monique Gist-Sullivan, Kathrine Kelly Hecker*, Jennifer Jean Homola, Grace Elizabeth Kelemen, Chloe Sue-Lynn Kinney, Dezmin Lajuane Marshall, Susana Mojarro, Erin Grace Schneider*, Lauren Michelle Thaler, Sydney Taylor Todd, Caleb James Vochaska***  

Stevensville  

Olivia Grace Bingham*, Dylan Nicholas Breault, Meghan Leigh Bronicki*, Olivia Kate DeHaven**, Emma Kay Doyle*, William Brian Etheridge***, Ethan Michael Faris*, Terry DeWayne Fulbright*, Lanie Rushelle Gage, Ashley Renee Galbraith, Angela L Gordon, Savannah Kristine Gostlin**, Shelby Renea Grau, Alexandria Marie Hardin, Paul Whitney Harrison, Madelynn Marie Isbrecht**, Meeta Sonthalia Kedia**, Nycole Marie Kirby, Devin Jamal Lewis, Emily J Martindale*, Michael Reinhold McGilvra, Amber Maria-Hardy Mendoza*, Logan Patrick Morrow, Sam Allison Moyle*, Noah Daniel Newman**, Peggy Dineen O'Neill*, Mckenzie Ja'el Outman**, David Adam Pliml, Becca Lynn Rosenthal*, Anthony M Scaccia, Eric Michael Smith**, McKayla Rae Spears, Meetra D Varnes, Kelsey Jade Walsh*, Dylan Michael Wedde*, Delaney Nicole Zubik*  

Three Oaks  

Kelsey Marie Gnodtke**, Gina Grace Graziano**, Ella Jean Olson*, Autumn Dawn Strauss, Madison Jean Whitlow  

Union  

Adrionna Nicole Eversole**  

Venezuela  

Alejandra Del Valle Ramirez*  

Watervliet  

Catherine M.A. Brooks, James Lee Butler, Kylie Cheyenne Cannon, Kelly Ann Cotman*, Carlos Hernandez Jr.**, Emma Kathleen Kraklau*, Sterling Bracken Schoonover**, Deven Lee Schultz, Ashton Richard Shall*  

Wayland  

Camden Robert Strader**, Abigail Marie Tuinstra*  

Wright City, Missouri  

Wesley Thomas Jaspering  

  

Advanced Certificate Recipients  

Bridgman  

Ashley L Davis*, Lawrence Barton McVay*  

Coloma  

Nichole R Sommer**  

Covert  

Jermara Simone Blackmon  

Granger, Indiana  

Jaspal Kaur  

Holland  

Tamara Lee Hill*  

Lawrence  

Kelly Lynn Jasensky**  

Niles  

Jazmin Capula*, Emily Joy Mokwa, Nathalie Aileen Sanchez*, Nathan Samuel Town***  

South Haven  

Paige Elizabeth Burson*, Christopher Leroy Schmidt***  

Stevensville  

Meeta Sonthalia Kedia**, Sara Nicole Moncrief*  

  

Certificate of Achievement Recipients  

Bangor  

Jocelyn Ponce  

Baroda  

Paige Alexis Schubach  

Batavia, Illinois  

Paige Elaine Ashby  

Benton Harbor  

Iesha S Guynes, Cody Wallace, Kathryn Ann Ashbrook Young  

Berrien Springs  

Devin Alexander Crispin, Elizabeth Grace Kubsch, Jonathan Charles Shoemaker, Joshua Aiden Wood  

Buchanan  

Kathleen Michelle King  

Hartford  

Russell Raymond Smith  

Holland  

Nayla Marie Alvarez-Gomez   

Jacksonville, North Carolina  

Aidan Joseph Zwiller  

Kalamazoo  

Lacey Nicole Olsen  

Lawton  

Alexander Kenneth Austin  

Mazomanie, Wisconsin  

Ivy Angela Kartman  

Rhinebeck, New York  

Alexa Aurora Venezia-Dasse  

Saint Joseph  

Max David Agens, Jackson Thomas Harrington, Benjamin Robert Holleman, Irina Z Tikhonova   

South Haven  

Adam Joshua Byrd, Kendra Rae Kingsbury  

Stevensville  

Andrew Nicholas Klinke  

Vejle, Denmark  

Benjamin Höllsberg Grøndahl Vinter