Commencement

It’s commencement time at Northwood. The work of our students, faculty, and staff comes together in the ceremonies taking place throughout our system over the next few weeks.

One of my favorite parts of graduation is telling the student stories. It gives me pleasure to personalize commencement and give the audience a glimpse of our incredible graduates.

I’d like to use this week’s message to acquaint you with the students whom I will be highlighting at each of the ceremonies. The students aren’t all big award winners, star athletes, or superior academics; more these are the stories of students who have persevered or who have helped others. There is much humanity in what follows. This message will be quite a bit longer than usual, but you will see One Northwood come alive through our students.

In Florida:
A mother/daughter team is graduating this year—Eloris Barnes (age 51) through the University College program, and her daughter Tameka Barnes (age 32) through the traditional program. They both were devastated when brother and son, Reynold, died at age 23 in 2004.  Our UC staff suggested that Eloris take some time off for herself, but she chose to continue striving ahead with her classes. Tameka was not doing well and did take some time off from school, but was inspired by her mother who kept going and stayed enrolled despite losing her son.

Following her mother’s example, Tameka resumed her classes at Northwood.   Several professors inspired her to persevere in the worst of times, especially professor Donna Link.  “There was a time when I couldn’t deal with what happened to my brother, but seeing my mother keeping on inspired me to do the same,” Tameka said.

Now that she’s graduating from Northwood, Tameka plans to continue her education by starting law school next year.

Adam Tayman was part of a six-member team of advertising students who were invited by Mr. Alfredo Molina, Outstanding Business Leader, Class of 2008, to create and execute an advertising campaign for Mr. Molina’s enterprise, the Black, Starr, & Frost group. These six students were flown to the Westin Resort in Costa Mesa, California by Mr. Molina where he closed his store for two hours and brought in all his employees, including his marketing firm, for the students to present their campaign.

At the dinner that evening, Mr. Molina announced he would be trademarking the students’ taglines as well as implementing the campaign for the brand’s 200-year anniversary. He then asked Adam and the five other students to sit on an advisory board for the future marketing of the Black, Starr & Frost brand.

Ivette Ros majored in Business Management.  Ivette, a single mother with a young son, relied upon strong family values coming from her Latina heritage as she earned her degree while working full time. She credits her parents, Maria and George Ros, with raising her to feel important and empowered, giving her the passion and work ethic to pursue her degree. Ivette will pursue her law degree at Stetson University in Tampa, Florida while continuing her banking career.

In Michigan:
Lisa Collison, on the varsity basketball team, is graduating with a 3.95 GPA. She has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.  Redshirted in her first season but able to play 20 games last year, she was elected team captain this year. Unfortunately, a series of concussions forced her to the sidelines through much of the season.  Lisa could have taken a back seat on the team, but instead she chose to step up as a leader. Coach Jeff Curtis, in fact, was so impressed with her taking on the leadership role he calls her “another coach” on the team.

With Lisa’s help, the women’s basketball team won its first ever GLIAC North Championship, made the GLIAC tournament for the first time ever, and had the highest winning percentage in school history.  Lisa returned to play in the final six games of the season, including a thrilling 63-59 win over Saginaw Valley, in which she scored three clutch second-half baskets. She was recently named the recipient of the Athlete Impact Award at the Northwood Student Leadership awards banquet.

And then there is Michael Wright who knows full well “it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.” As a freshman, Michael joined us as a football player, but things did not go quite as planned. He ended up the year redshirted and with a GPA he wasn’t proud of. He devoted the next summer to major soul searching and returned the following fall determined to become the best he could be. His grades shot up; he became involved in campus life, joining the Mock Trial team and winning awards, helping with the Auto Show, and becoming a student ambassador.
Thinking he was back on track, he was shocked when he applied for graduation to find out he had missed a prerequisite class needed to complete a capstone course only offered once a year. He had to come back to campus for one more year.

Rather than sit around moping, Michael, after getting some excellent advice from his mother, decided there must have been a reason this happened and he would make the best of it. In his final year as an undergraduate, Michael obtained a second internship; he was appointed president of the newly organized Minority Business Leaders Association; and he added a second major.

With success and a positive attitude on his side, he targeted the Ford Motor Company as his employer of choice. Ford had other ideas and put up a series of obstacles. Undaunted, Michael just kept going and, after a very competitive interviewing process, was offered a much-coveted position with Ford. Michael credits his confidence, abilities, persistence, and business savvy with helping him win the job. And he credits Northwood University with providing the education and culture to help him realize these qualities within himself.

From University College:
Matt Cooper from the Flint program center came to Northwood in the fall off 2005, already having earned an Associate’s degree in Food Management Technology. While pursuing his BBA, he has successfully launched several businesses. His ice sculpting business, featured on the Food Channel, has created sculptures for the Super Bowl, the World Series, The Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the U.S. Open.

From the Grand Rapids program center, Robert James Van Rees made the decision that going back to school would not make him sacrifice family time. Robert’s son, James, was already a Northwood student and when the opportunity came for them to attend classes together arose, Robert jumped at the chance. Robert and James have very much enjoyed their college experience together and through each other have made an outstanding commitment to education.

Janet Nthuli traveled from her home in Kenya to Saginaw to pursue her dream of a college education. At the age of 23 she began researching schools in the United States and decided on Michigan because she’d rather have snow than a tornado! After overcoming cultural barriers, she learned about Northwood’s program and enrolled in the Saginaw Program Center. Janet is graduating with her mother looking on, who traveled from Kenya to support her during commencement.

Jack Tigner’s journey began about ten years ago when a Northwood flyer came to his mail box introducing him to the University College program. He had always wanted a college education, but went right from high school to work, and after a few years had a family and started his own business. With a successful business and as president of his community business association since 1995, he was a very busy person and it was hard to find time to attend college. The flyer offered a program with class options that worked with his schedule. Jack is receiving his bachelor’s degree Saturday along with a very special bonus. His daughter, Sara, who attended the Troy Program Center also received her degree.

Joshua Piland started his college career while spending two tours in Iraq with the United States Marine Corps. His time in Iraq taught him many lessons including the fragility of life, to care about the welfare of others, and the value of setting goals. Determined to participate in service to others yet still graduate on this personal schedule, he met with an advisor last winter seeking assistance in scheduling classes for the upcoming semester. His dedication to his country, his faith, and the management of his personal goals has found him proudly walking at graduation.

DeVos:
The DeVos Graduate School of Management will graduate its 1,000 graduate this weekend. Its graduates have shown incredible strength and perseverance in the face of significant challenges that could have stopped lesser people from obtaining their degrees.

Thomas Marlow is one of the oldest in the 2008 MBA class. At age 43 he completed his BBA at the Lansing Program Center and within months enrolled at DeVos. During his student years, he experienced divorce, re-marriage, blending two families, and building a new house–challenges which have been known to stop more than a few from reaching their goals. Thomas persevered and succeeded.

Bridgett Bryant also had more than a few challenges. Having just left a marriage with two sons and pregnant with a third, Bridgett was determined to regain control of her life. She received her BBA in 2005 from Northwood at age 34, and then received a call that she was recommended for graduate work at DeVos. She enrolled in 2006 and continued to work 50 hours a week, along with raising her three young sons. During this time she almost lost her father, the man who has been her inspiration for her relentless drive to achieve, not once, but three times due to complications with diabetes. Happy to say her father pulled through and Bridgett achieved her educational goals. She is the first woman in her family to have completed both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Jeff Illig is also one of the senior members of the 2008 class at DeVos. He received his BBA at 45 and earned his MBA at age 53. While in the business management arena for over 20 years, he never felt he was as prepared and capable as he should have been. He credits the knowledge he gained from DeVos with allowing him to make a significant, meaningful, and appreciated difference in his company.

In Texas:
Tabitha Stallsworth, a varsity softball player, has won the Miss Arlington Pageant and will be competing in the Miss Texas USA Pageant this summer. Scholar, athlete, and pageant winner.

Ali Shiran has been on his own since he was 17. Working two to three jobs at a time to put himself through college, he is a Hotel, Restaurant &  Resort Management major, has served as this year’s Delta Epsilon Chi president, and was a finalist in the national Delta Epsilon Chi competition.

Sgt. Fernando Duran, United States Marine Corp, set his sights on earning a college degree right after boot camp, but his military obligation interrupted his educational goal, not once but twice, when he was first deployed in 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and then again in 2005 while he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Upon his return to American soil, Sgt. Duran pursued his studies with a vengeance, taking three classes per term to accomplish a lifelong goal of earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management with a minor in economics.

Sgt. Duran has received many awards, recognition, and commendations from the Marine Corp for service to his country. He was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, as well as the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

These are the students of Northwood University. They invested in Northwood, entrusted us with their education, and we are very proud of them all.

I strongly encourage you to attend the commencement ceremony on your campus. It is our opportunity to congratulate our wonderful students as they begin the next stage of their life journeys.

See you at graduation!

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)