Purdue Calumet held two fall Commencement Exercises on Saturday at the University’s Fitness and Recreation Center. A total of 488 baccalaureate and master’s degree graduates participated in the two programs, 256 from the Colleges of Business; Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; and Education, and 223 representing the Colleges of Technology; Nursing; and Engineering, Mathematics and Science.
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“This is one of the proudest days in the lives of the graduates and their families,” said Purdue Calumet Chancellor, Thomas L. Keon. “For today’s commencement some have traveled across town while others have traveled across the world as well as locations in between. Today is a day for celebration and recognition. It’s a day of applauds and achievement. Of course, this is a day for receiving a cherished diploma. I applaud these candidates for their hard work, determination and sacrifice.”
Hobart School Corporation Superintendent and Purdue University Calumet alumni Dr. Peggy Buffington gave the commencements keynote address and encouraged new graduates to “make a commitment to choose work that gives [them] the opportunity to make the world better, then do it!”
“Bring the same type of anticipation about what is next in life by replicating the attitudes of kindergartners and high school graduates,” Buffington said. “They are filled with enthusiasm and cannot wait to begin their next endeavor. See your life as a mission. A mission to impact as many lives as positively as you can.”
As keynote speaker, Buffington drew on her experiences participating in various graduations as a school superintendent to challenge the university graduates. Buffington finished with the encouragement, “to be filled with joy, joy and more joy by the work you choose to do!”
Graduating from Purdue Calumet’s College of Nursing on Saturday was Amanda Clark. Clark finished top of her class with the highest G.P.A. Clark spoke about her plans over the next several years.
“I’m going to go to work for two years as a nurse and then go back to school for my Doctorate degree,” she said.
The programs marked the 70th Commencement Exercises of Purdue Calumet which is celebrating its 70th anniversary. The class consisted of fall and previous summer graduates and totaled 846 - nearly 700 baccalaureate degree recipients and 150 receiving master’s degrees.
“Purdue Calumet is celebrating its 70th year,” said Wes Lukoshus, Assistant Vice Chancellor at Purdue Calumet. “In 1946, Purdue classes were first introduced in Northwest Indiana so that’s what we consider as the start of Purdue Calumet. This is our 70th year and the graduation programs today are the 70th also dating back to 1967.”