Commencement 2021: Navigating a Previously Unthinkable Path to Graduation
One thousand nine hundred ninety-three Illinois Institute of Technology students will celebrate one of life鈥檚 great milestone achievements on May 15, when, during the university鈥檚 second virtual Commencement ceremony, they鈥檒l be recognized as part of Illinois Tech鈥檚 graduating class of 2021. While virtual, this year鈥檚 ceremony will feature Commencement speaker Ankur Jain (CS 鈥03), founder and chief executive officer of B9 Beverages/Bira 91; student speaker Priscilla Akpabio (ME 鈥21); honorary degree recipients Fay Clayton (LAW 鈥79), Arlene Harris, and John Anderson, president emeritus of Illinois Tech; a celebration of the university鈥檚 essential staff and of the tenure of retiring Illinois Tech President Alan W. Cramb; and the conferral of degrees. Most of all, though, the ceremony will celebrate a group of Illinois Tech students who have persevered through previously unthinkable challenges over the course of the last 14 months, consistently showing a level of resiliency and understanding needed to push through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic while rising to adapt and shine in new learning and social environments. Seven students鈥攐ne from each of the university鈥檚 colleges鈥攕hare their experiences: the biggest lessons they鈥檝e learned, where they鈥檙e headed next, and what Illinois Tech means to them.
Prince Hodonou
College of Computing
Illinois Tech Coursework Directly Leads to First Step of Career