It’s nearly time for seniors in university and in high school to put away their books and toss their caps into the air as they look to next chapters.
Several high schools and colleges in the Springfield area are holding graduation ceremonies.
Here’s what you need to know.
College and university graduations
University of Illinois Springfield
The College of Health, Science and Technology will hold their Commencement Ceremony at the Sangamon Auditorium in the UIS Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on May 9.
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and the College of Public Affairs and Education will hold their Commencement Ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 10.
The College of Business and Management will hold their ceremony at 3 p.m. on May 10.
A total of 1,071 students will participate in the ceremony out of the 1,587 students who are eligible to graduate.
Valerie Udemba of Lagos, Nigeria, has been chosen as the student commencement speaker for all three ceremonies.
Tena Helton, professor of English, has been named the faculty grand marshal.
Lincoln Land Community College
Where: BOS Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield
When: 7:30 p.m. on May 16.
Those being recognized are recent summer or fall 2024 graduates and potential spring or summer 2025 graduates.
More than 400 LLCC students have signed up to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. 19 of the graduates are from the college’s first cohort of the diesel technologies program.
Olivia Hentzien of Morrisonville is chosen as the student speaker. Zorah Austin of Virden and Sydney Carey of Beardstown are serving as student marshals for the ceremony.
David C. Fowler, executive director of Computer Banc, is being recognized with the 2025 LLCC Honored Alumni Award for his efforts to provide refurbished computers to underserved individuals and organizations. Fowler has been a member of the LLCC Computer Science Program Advisory Board since 2019.
St. John’s School of Nursing
Where: Dove Conference Center, Prairie Cardiovascular, 619 E. Mason St., Springfield
When: 6 p.m. on May 9
28 students are graduating and all are receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The commencement speaker is Kathy Donovan, who is Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at HSHS.
Blackburn College
Where: Hudson Quad
When: 10:30 a.m. on May 17.
Illinois College
Where: Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
When: 1 p.m. on May 11.
Around 225 degrees will be awarded. Matea Aleksandrovska, this year’s senior class representative, will speak during the Commencement Ceremony.
During the ceremony, Illinois College will recognize Henry A. Schmitt from the class of 1973 and Jean Coultas Statler from the class of 2009 with Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa degrees as they retire from the Illinois College Board of Trustees.
High school graduations
Auburn High School
Where: UIS Sangamon Auditorium
When: 7 p.m. on May 23
Glenwood High School
Where: BOS Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza
When: 8 p.m. on June 7
Calvary Academy
Where: 1730 West Jefferson St.
When: 7 p.m. on May 30
Jacksonville High School
Where: JHS Bowl, 215 S. Church St., Jacksonville
When: 7 p.m. on May 16
Lutheran High School
Where: Hope Church, 3000 Lenhart Road, Springfield
When: 12:30 p.m. on May 17
Rochester High School
Where: UIS Sangamon Auditorium
When: 7 p.m. on May 18
Riverton High School
Where: RHS Hawk Center
When: 2 p.m. on May 25
Sacred Heart-Griffin High School
Where: SHG Cyclone Stadium, Ken Leonard Field
When: 9:30 a.m. on May 18
Springfield High School
Where: BOS Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza
When: 5 p.m. on June 7
Springfield Southeast High
Where: BOS Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza
When: 2 p.m. on June 7
Lanphier High School
Where: BOS Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza
When: 11 a.m. on June 7
Williamsville High School
Where: UIS Performing Arts Center, Public Affairs Center
When: 2 p.m. on May 18
Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Graduation season is here. Here’s what you need to know in the Springfield area
Reporting by Tom Ackerman, Springfield State Journal- Register / State Journal-Register
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