Dr. Mark S. Schlissel, the 14th President of the University of Michigan, will deliver the commencement address at Wayne County Community College District’s (WCCCD) Forty-Seventh Annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 4 at Ford Field in Detroit. Dr. Schlissel, a distinguished academic leader, is the first physician-scientist to ever lead the University of Michigan. He became president in July 2014.
The ceremony will be historic — not only because Dr. Schlissel will deliver the keynote and encourage the Class of 2016 to go forward and achieve their dreams — but because WCCCD will be graduating its oldest student at 87 years of age, Mrs. Ruby Watson Parker. Mrs. Parker began her educational journey at WCCCD in the Fall of 1969.
Another noteworthy aspect of the ceremony is that ten (10) students from Cass Technical High School and Chandler Park High School will be graduating with their associate’s degree coupled with their high school diploma, as part of the District’s dual enrollment program. WCCCD has established and maintained dual enrollment partnerships with over 40 high schools in nearly 15 school districts within the region.
This is an exciting time in the lives of the Class of 2016. Ms. Monira Akhter, 2016 Class Representative, will deliver remarks on behalf of the graduates during the Commencement ceremony. Among the graduates, also, will be Mrs. Meranda Sawabini, a mother of quadruplets who will receive her nursing degree. The youngest person among this year’s graduates will be Cortez Pittman, age 19.
William O’Rear, will perform the National Anthem.
Dr. Curtis L. Ivery, Chancellor of the Wayne County Community College District states, “As we approach our 50th anniversary, education continues to be the key to achieving success. Our students leave with the assurance that they step forward into this changing society with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.” We are honored to have President Schlissel be a part of this celebration.
More than 1,800 graduates will receive their degrees and certificates in various disciplines. The program will begin at 11:00 am. There will be loud applauses from families and friends to acknowledge the achievements of the Class of 2016. Among those cheering the loudest will be Meranda Sawabini’s quadruplets; cheering for their mom for a job well done.
About WCCCD: WCCCD, the largest urban community college in Michigan, is a multi-campus district with five campus locations, the Mary Ellen Stempfle University Center and the Michigan Institute for Public Safety Education (MIPSE), serving 72,000 credit and non-credit students annually across 32 cities and townships, and more than 500 square miles. WCCCD is committed to the continued development of new programs, workforce transformation, hosting community-based training sessions, and improving student facilities and services. www.wcccd.edu .
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