Students Shaneece Moffitt, Julie Dokter, Halie Saylor to speak at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv Commencement
Shaneece Moffitt, Julie Dokter, and Halie Saylor have been selected as student speakers for Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv's 77th annual commencement ceremonies, which will be held at 10 a.m. (Arts & Sciences and General Studies) and 1 p.m. (Career & Workforce and Health Sciences) onÌýSunday, May 5, at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv 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 will speak 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 graduates with an Associate in General Studies degreeÌýand plans to attend Western Michigan University thisÌýFall to study psychology and social work.Ìý
"The support that I have had at LMC feels like family,"ÌýMoffitt 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."Ìý
Dokter, who will speak 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,"ÌýDokter 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.'"Ìý
Dokter graduates with an Associate in Applied ScienceÌý– Radiologic Technology degree alongside her youngest son, Nathan, who receives his associate degree in the Middle College program.ÌýShe plans to stay in the region and is currently applying for positions as a radiologic technologist.
Saylor, who will speak 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 graduatesÌýas a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, where she served as a Community Service Officer.Ìý
Saylor graduates with an Associate in ScienceÌý– Health Science degree. She is the first person in her immediate family to earn a college degree. She plans to continue her studies at Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv this Fall as a Nursing student.Ìý
"I want to be a NICU nurse,"ÌýSaylor said. "My brother was born prematurely and spent 10 daysÌýin 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."Ìý
During the May 5 ceremonies, 425 LMC students will receive 454 degrees and certificates from 45 areas of study, including 404 associate degrees, 17 advanced certificates, and 33 certificates of achievement.
For more information, visitÌý.
From left, Shaneece Moffitt, Julie Dokter, and Halie Saylor.