Commencement was recently held for the more than 1,100 students graduating this spring semester from Triton College, with a special ceremony also held for nursing students.
Officials announced in a news release that the two–year college, located in River Grove, held its 58th commencement ceremony on May 18 “to honor the academic accomplishments of its graduating class of 2024.” Two days before, there was a nurse pinning event. The completion ceremony for participants of the Workforce Equity Initiative took place May 20.
“A total of 1,100 Triton College students graduated in May and, combined with graduates from August and December, the total number of program graduates reached 1,700,” according to the release.
The release states that more than 500 of the 1,100 students graduating walked across stage at Rosemont Theatre, where commencement was held. Triton College President Mary-Rita Moore acknowledged the hard work and dedication of students that enabled them “to get to this moment.”
“Your commitment and perseverance have brought you here today to walk across the stage to receive your diploma,” said Moore.
She told the graduates that their special day comes at a commemorative time for the college.
“This year, Triton is celebrating its 60-year anniversary. Since our founding, our institution has been guided by a compelling vision: To foster a community with equitable opportunity for growth and success. That vision has led to lives changed and communities served.”
Journey Manuel, of River Forest, who is president of the Triton College Student Association, delivered a student reflection speech at the ceremony. Manuel earned an associate’s degree in science and will be transferring to Governors State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing, the release states.
“Triton College helped me grow in my leadership skills, as a person, and how to treat everyone with kindness,” she said.
Manuel said both of her parents are immigrants from the Philippines and she’s proud to be a first-generation graduate.
At the May 16 nurse pinning ceremony, 12 nursing graduates received their nurse pin to “signify their entry into the nursing profession and their commitment to providing quality care to patients,” according to the release.
The pinning ceremony took place in Triton’s Performing Arts Center. The nursing graduates entered the auditorium to singer Andra Day’s song, “Rise Up,” wearing white coats and each holding a lighted candle. The ceremony included speeches by nursing graduates Whitney Castle, of Norridge, and Andrea Morales,of Northlake, the release explained.
“The nurse pin means I’ve accomplished something I always wanted to do,” said Castle. “It shows that career change and growth do not have a time or age limit.”
For Morales, the pin serves as “a reminder of all the sacrifices I made,” she said, adding that the instructors at Triton “are amazing. The clinical experience (at Triton) has prepared me to become a nurse.”