Normandale Community College honored this year’s graduating class at the annual Commencement Ceremony on at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, Minn.
The ceremony honored summer 2024 and fall 2024 graduates, along with candidates for spring 2025 graduation.
The livestream link is available to anyone who wants to go back and watch the ceremony.
The student speaker was 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 played a big part in creating, organizing and promoting many new and large-scale events as part of Program Board. Chea also worked as a Social Media Assistant in the Advancement Office at Normandale. This summer he is interning with the National Marrow Donor Program (formally Be The Match).
The alumni speaker was 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. His 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 included the awarding of this year’s Distinguished Faculty Award Winner and the Staff Member of Distinction. This year's Distinguished Faculty Award Winner was Biology Instructor Dr. Ngawang Gonsar. As a result of receiving the Distinguished Faculty Award, Dr. Gonsar will be a speaker at next year's Commencement ceremony.
The Staff Member of Distinction award went to TRIO Student Success Coach Aucuria "AC" Harrison. As part of being named the Staff Member of Distinction, Harrison will help lead the procession of students to start next year's ceremony.
Normandale Community College President Joyce Ester spoke at her final Normandale Commencement, as she he is leaving to take the position of President of Governors State University in Illinois. Her final official day at Normandale is June 3.
President of the Faculty Association Sally Dufner also spoke at the event, along with Minnesota State Colleges and University Board of Trustee Dr. Jacqueline Johnson and 2024 Distinguished Faculty Award winner and Nursing Instructor Kari Garin.
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