Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) will host its 45th annual Commencement Celebration at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9 in the Columbus East High School gymnasium.

According to the Office of Registrar Services, there are 289 graduates in the Class of 2015, up from 261 in the Class of 2014.

Among them is Tessa Bolt, she is the first female to graduate with the Purdue University Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree, earning a highest distinction designation.

Bree D. Hobbs, an undergraduate student majoring in education, is the 2015 Chancellor’s Scholar, an award given each year to a student with the highest cumulative grade point average as determined by their school or division.

The keynote speaker for the commencement celebration is Lieutenant Governor Dr. Sue Ellspermann. As Lieutenant Governor, she manages six state agencies including the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Office of Defense Development, the Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Office of Tourism Development and the Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. She also serves as President of the Indiana Senate and chairs the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council.

Both Hobbs and keynote speaker Lieutenant Governor Dr. Sue Ellspermann will address the graduating class.

Total number of degrees awarded:

• Undergraduate degrees: 236
• Graduate degrees: 23

Undergraduate degrees awarded with Honors:

• Highest Distinction: 20
• Distinction: 6

The type and number of degrees the campus expects to award are:

• Bachelor of Science in Business: 47
• Master of Business Administration: 17
• Bachelor of Science in Education: 27                                             
• Associate of Arts in General Studies: 1
• Bachelor of General Studies: 29
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts: 19
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering: 5
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 97
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: 19
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology: 18
• Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling: 8

Graduate spotlights for the Class of 2015

DIVISION OF BUSINESS

Natalia Cox

Natalia Cox, a native of Volzhsk state Mary El in Russia who currently resides in Seymour, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. During her college career she received the Peer Mentor Scholarship and IMA Scholarship. She was named to the Dean’s List for High Academic Achievement from fall 2010 – 2014, won first place in the Portfolio Management Competition in 2013, placed as runner up for Outstanding Student in Accounting in 2014, was awarded the Georgia Blair Miller Business Student Award in 2015, and is graduating with a Highest Distinction degree.

Cox completed two internships at Central Christian Church in 2014 and Kemper CPA Group in 2015. After graduation, she plans to enter the business world with a future goal to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

“The experience at IUPUC was a great journey from studying business through making valuable connections and partnerships,” says Cox. “I learned new aspects of me, my capabilities only because I had talented teachers and professors who believed in me from my first day at IUPUC.”  

DIVISION OF EDUCATION

Kayla Busack

Kayla Busack, of Columbus, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education. During her college career she was awarded the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s Outstanding Future Educator Award and made the Dean’s list five times.

Busack conducted her student teaching at Parkside Elementary in Columbus and Sawmill Woods Elementary in Whiteland. After graduation, she plans to work in a general education classroom, and continue her journey as a lifelong learner alongside her students.

“I would not choose to graduate from anywhere else other than IUPUC,” says Busack. “I feel as though my division has prepared me as much as possible and supported me along the way.”

DIVISION OF LIBERAL ARTS

Cole L. Lienhoop

Cole Lienhoop, of Greensburg, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. During his college career he received the UCOL-110 First-Year Seminar Peer Mentor Scholarships in 2013 and 2014, the Student Ambassador Scholarship, the Jay Howard Scholarship, the Sociology Award in 2014, and is graduating with a Highest Distinction Diploma.

He completed his capstone internship at Mill Race Center in Columbus. After graduation, he plans to enroll in the IUPUC Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program.

“I was here for three out of my four years of undergraduate studies,” says Lienhoop. “Going away my sophomore year made me appreciate this campus all the more. Having a professional/personal relationship with faculty/staff, getting one-on-one professor attention, establishing friendly campus networks, promoting the campus, commuting from home, and making new friends all contributed to a very positive experience at IUPUC and I am thankful for it all.”

Lori Ann McDonald

Lori Ann McDonald, of Seymour, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. During her college career, she was secretary of the English Club and a member of the Communications Club.

McDonald will be sharing this day with her son who will be graduating from IU Bloomington. “After four years of blood, sweat, and tears we will both be finished with college on May 9, 2015,” says McDonald.  McDonald will not walk in her commencement celebration so she can watch her son, a telecommunications major, walk across the stage in Bloomington.

“As a non-traditional student, I have learned that you can teach an old dog new tricks! I have enjoyed my time at IUPUC and will miss both my classmates and instructors.” Says McDonald.  “I would especially like to thank my communication instructors, Ryan Neville-Shepard and Anna Carmon because I would not be where I am today without their help and guidance.”

Bailey Moss

Bailey Moss, of Columbus, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. During her college career, she was recognized as the 2012-13 IUPUC Outstanding Student in English Award winner; 2013-14 and 2014-15 IUPUC Undergraduate Service Leadership Award winner; and 2014-15 IUPUI Outstanding Woman Student Leader Award winner.

Moss plans to pursue a Master’s degree in either Mental Health or Women’s Studies.

She was homeschooled from 6 to 12 grade, and did not believe she would ever be able to graduate from college. When she started at IUPUC she thought she would get an associate degree in business and then attend cosmetology school.

She shares this day with her husband, Zech Rarey, a graduate from the Division of Education earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Moss and Rarey started IUPUC in 2009, a month after their fourth wedding anniversary. The birth of their son, Liam, three years before drove them to think bigger and strive for more. Rarey almost instantly knew he wanted to pursue Elementary Education, but Moss needed a few semesters to find her path in English. The couple eventually were revolving their daily schedules around school instead of trying to work school into their schedules.

“With Zech’s support, I was also able to be very active in multiple extra-curricular activities, including two club presidencies and a managing editor position for IUPUC’s literary publication, Talking Leaves,” says Moss. “I am so very excited to start our new lives together as educated and professional adults, and I am so thankful to and for our mentors at IUPUC for believing in us and encouraging us the whole way.“

Emma Metz Sipple

Emma Metz Sipple, of Columbus, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. During her college career, she was a two-time recipient of a grant from the Office of Student Research and presented her research at three different academic conferences.

Sipple was awarded the Academic Excellence Scholarship, Jay Howard Scholarship, Student Ambassador Scholarship, and Peer Mentor Scholarship.

After graduation, she hopes to work at Cummins as a Technical Writer or in their Human Resource Department.

Cassie Warren

Cassie Warren, of Shelbyville, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Psychology. She is a first generation college student and was awarded the High School Counselor Recognition 4-Year Scholarship.

During her college career she was a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, serving as vice president since 2014; named to the Dean’s list; member of the IUPUC Bridge Programs; and IUPUC Orientation Leader during the summer of 2014. 

She completed an internship in the IUPUC Department of Communications & Marketing during the fall 2014 semester. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in marketing, human resources, or event planning. 

“IUPUC was a great fit for me and I’m excited to see it continue to grow in the future,” says Warren.

DIVISION OF NURSING

Kelsey Hatton

Kelsey Hatton, of Greensburg, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was a recipient of the IUPUI Dean of the Faculties Scholarship for the 201-12 academic year. During her college career, she was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Alpha Chapter), received the Outstanding Student in Nursing Award in 2015, and was named to the Dean’s List 2011-15.

Hatton has worked as a Student Nurse Extern at Major Hospital in Shelbyville, IN since June of 2013. In this role, she is responsible for administering nursing care to patients via the nursing process while working under the supervision of a registered nurse at all times.

After graduation, she will take the NCLEX examination to become a licensed registered nurse.

“I am very excited to begin this new journey,” says Hatton.  “I have my family, boyfriend, classmates, and faculty to thank for always believing in me and supporting me every step of the way as I work to achieve my professional goals.”

DIVISION OF SCIENCE

Kelsey Wilson

Kelsey Wilson, of Commiskey, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She was awarded the State Academic Honors Award and Continuing Student Scholarship. During her college career, she was named to the Chancellor’s List, Dean’s List and is graduating with a highest distinction diploma.

Wilson completed several internships and job shadow experiences in the field of physical therapy at various clinics around the region including: Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in Cincinnati; Hendricks Regional Health, Riley Hospital for Children, Children’s TherAplay Foundation, Fast Track PT, and ATI PT all in Indianapolis; St. Vincent Jennings Hospital, and Ascent Physical Therapy both in North Vernon, Ind.

She will be attending Florida Gulf Coast University this fall to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and hopes to become a Sports Physical Therapist working with professional athletes.

When asked about her experience as IUPUC, Wilson said, “Great campus… even better professors.”

Rodney Burton

Rodney Burton, of Edinburgh, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. He is graduating with a highest distinction diploma earning a 3.97 G.P.A.

During his college career he was recognized as an Outstanding Student in Psychology in 2014-15; a two-time recipient of a $1,000 grant from the Office of Student Research 2012-13 and 2014-15 academic year.  He served as President of the Golf Club at IUPUC and was a member of Phi Eta Sigma, National Academic Honors Society; and the Psychology Club.

Burton was awarded the IUPUC Outstanding Adult Scholarship, Community Education Coalition Scholarship, IUPUC Continuing Student Scholarship, IUPUC Continuing Student Scholarship, Marvin Rytting Scholarship, and the Honors Convocation Division Scholarship.

He completed an internship at Tara Treatment Center in Franklin, Ind. during the summer of 2011. After graduation, he plans to work providing family preservation services and peer recovery support to families with the hopes of entering graduate school for a Master’s degree in Social Work or law school to become an attorney.

“My time here at IUPUC was not only a great educational experience, but also a great social experience,” says Burton. “It all started in August, 2010 with the Bridge Program, piloted by Kathy Compton and Joan Poulsen. I feel the Bridge Program and Kathy have been major contributors to my degree completion here at IUPUC.”

BACHELOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Tessa Bolt

Tessa Bolt, of Columbus, Ind., has earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She is the first female graduate from the program and is graduating with a highest distinction diploma.

During her time at IUPUC, she completed internships at Helmer Scientific, O’Neal Steel, and Electro-Spec, Inc. After graduation, she will begin work as a Plating Engineer for Elector-Spec, Inc.

“I have loved every minute of attending IUPUC,” says Bolt. “The professors are highly knowledgeable and they have a passion for teaching. I will miss attending IUPUC!”