Normandale Community College will honor its graduates at the annual Commencement Ceremony on Monday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, Minn.
The livestream link is available to anyone who wants to tune in and follow the live ceremony.
Approximately 460 graduates are participating in the ceremony, which will honor summer 2024 and fall 2024 graduates, along with candidates for spring 2025 graduation.
The student speaker is Normandale Program Board President Chhayheang Chea. Chea will attend the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management this fall where he plans to pursue a major in marketing and business analytics. He has played a big part in creating, organizing and promoting many new and large-scale events as part of Program Board. Chea has also worked for the last year as Social Media Assistant in the Advancement Office at Normandale. This summer he will be interning with the National Marrow Donor Program (formally Be The Match).
The alumni speaker will be Dr. Alan Goracke. Dr. Goracke is the founder and CEO of Hope For the Community food shelf, and has a rich background in organizational leadership, having held various roles including business owner, pastor, District Superintendent, Senior Merchandise Analyst and Buyer. He is academic background includes a doctorate from Bethel University, with a concentration in organizational systems, and a master’s degree in leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has a master’s degree in leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University, a bachelor’s degree in management from St. Cloud University, and earned two associate degrees at Normandale.
Other ceremony highlights will include the awarding of this year’s Distinguished Faculty Award Winner and the Staff Member of Distinction. Last year’s Distinguished Faculty Award Winner was Nursing Instructor Kari Garin, and the 2024 Staff Member of Distinction was Student Life Involvement Coordinator Genna Lawler. Normandale Community College President Joyce Ester and President of the Faculty Association Sally Dufner will also speak at the event.
top
