Students Shaneece Moffitt, Julie Dokter, Halie Saylor speak at commencement

Shaneece Moffitt, Julie Dokter, and Halie Saylor were selected as student speakers for Lake Michigan College's 77th annual commencement ceremonies, held at 10 a.m. (Arts & Sciences and General Studies) and 1 p.m. (Career & Workforce and Health Sciences) on Sunday, May 5, at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre on the Benton Harbor Campus, 2755 E. Napier Ave. 

Student speakers are nominated by their peers, LMC faculty, and staff based on academic excellence, integrity, and compassion for their classmates. 

Moffitt, who spoke during the 10 a.m. ceremony, is a Benton Harbor resident and a 2017 Eau Claire High School graduate. She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and was on LMC's Dean's List while at LMC. 

She graduated with an Associate in General Studies degree and plans to attend Western Michigan University this Fall to study psychology and social work.  

"The support that I have had at LMC feels like family," Moffitt said. "I think I changed my major five times before I decided to earn my degree in general studies. Just because I didn't know what I wanted to do didn't mean that I shouldn't do anything. I stuck with it, kept my motivation, and now I am here. I can't stop smiling."  

Dokter, who spoke during the 1 p.m. ceremony, is a lifelong St. Joseph resident and a 1992 graduate of Grace Christian High School. After a few starts and stops at higher education, she decided to finish her degree during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"I got married and had kids and never finished my degree," Dokter said. "Then, in 2020, Michigan came out with a program called Michigan Reconnect, and I thought, 'This is my time. Let's go back to school, and let's finish your degree.'"  

Dokter graduated with an Associate in Applied Science – Radiologic Technology degree alongside her youngest son, Nathan, who received his associate degree in the Middle College program. She plans to stay in the region and is currently applying for positions as a radiologic technologist. 

Saylor, who spoke during the 1 p.m. ceremony, is a Dowagiac resident and 2022 graduate of Dowagiac Union High School. During her time at LMC, she was a center back on the Red Hawks Women's Soccer team, where she also served as captain and an outfielder on LMC's Softball team. She worked as a Resident Assistant at Beckwith Hall and graduates as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, where she served as a Community Service Officer.  

Saylor graduated with an Associate in Science – Health Science degree. She is the first person in her immediate family to earn a college degree. She plans to continue her studies at Lake Michigan College this Fall as a Nursing student.  

"I want to be a NICU nurse," Saylor said. "My brother was born prematurely and spent 10 days in the NICU. The people there were great, and ever since that moment, that has been what I've wanted to do. During my time at LMC, I've done a lot of job shadowing, and labor and delivery is where I want to be."