Approximately 280 students of Cleveland State’s class of 2015 will receive their degrees and certificates during the commencement ceremony this Saturday, at 10 a.m. in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium.
“Commencement is a day of celebration for goals obtained, new beginnings and new opportunities,” Cleveland State President William Seymour said. “We are thankful for these students sharing their very best with our campus community. Each one has strengthened us and inspired us to continue the mission for decades to come.”
Cleveland State began a new tradition last year to allow distinguished faculty and staff members to serve as the keynote speakers at the fall commencement.
Ruth Kirkendall, Admissions Operations Manager, and Mark McLeod, Associate Professor of Art, will both be keynote speakers on Saturday.
Ms. Kirkendall is the recipient of Cleveland State's Distinguished Staff Member that is presented each year to an individual who has performed meritorious service to Cleveland State—above and beyond the expectations of the job. Ms. Kirkendall is a first generation college student. She received her Associate degree with a focus in education and graduated with honors from Grossmont Community College in La Mesa, CA. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a focus in Education and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Christian Heritage College in El Cajon, CA. She continued her education while teaching elementary school children by getting her certificate in Spanish and Physical Education at UCSD in La Jolla, CA. She also had the opportunity to work for Advanced Network International and travelled throughout the Unites States and Canada using her CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification setting up computer labs and teaching business management VOIP (Voice over IP Technology). She has also received her certification as a Certified Administrative Professional. She is married to Ron Ingram.
Mr. McLeod is the recipient of Cleveland State's Distinguished Faculty Member that is presented each year to an individual who is an Associate Professor of Art with a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Syracuse University. In addition to serving as Faculty Senate President for the past two years, he was awarded the STAR Award for Service in 2015. During his eight years at Cleveland State, he has helped 34 students raise over $40,000 so that they may have the opportunity to visit NYC art museums. He has also replaced expensive textbooks for art courses with free online content, saving students an average of $400 per semester. In addition to teaching, Mark has organized on campus residencies with artists from Quebec, Toronto and Amsterdam in addition to exhibiting his own work internationally. His most recent work explores the ever changing and erroneous nature of memory with some forays into systems of power. Mr. McLeod and his wife, Audra-Kelly, have two children, son Eli and daughter Maegan.
For those who are unable to attend the commencement ceremony, it will also be broadcast live online through the Cleveland State website at www.clevelandstatecc.edu. It will be archived and can be viewed later by visiting the website.