Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., held its spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 24. Executive director of Gallup Education, Brandon Busteed, delivered the commencement speech, and around 600 students participated in the ceremony.
Among the graduates earning a bachelor of arts degree during the 2014-2015 academic year were Elizabeth O’Hara, from Salem, graduated with a major in English.
Those graduating were given advice by Brandon Busteed, who said, “Talent is like a fingerprint, every human being has unique talents. The key is using yours to become the best you.”
President of Augustana College, Steven Bahls, speaking on life after graduation, said, “Though you may be apprehensive about your future, you now have the skills and confidence to build rewarding lives of leadership and service.” President Bahls added, “Augustana students do not shy away from deep intellectual conversations, nor are they afraid of great passion in their work. Augustana students are, in a word, awesome.”
Representing the class of 2015, Ebony Allen spoke on what an education at Augustana has done for them. “The class of 2015 is full of rebels, class clowns, athletes — intelligent, funny, caring and ambitious students,” she said. “Students who have been accepted into grad programs nationwide. Students who have jobs waiting for them after we leave here today.” In her final comments she said, “Though some of us may not know what we’ll do after graduation, we face the future without fear, knowing Augustana — our home, our alma mater — has prepared us to be everything we want to be in life.”
During the ceremonies, an honorary doctor of humane letters degree was presented to Brandon Busteed.
Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences.
