Class of 2020 Shout Outs

To all the Nursing Graduates,

I am so proud to have been a part of your learning process. Graduation is always a celebration for me to watch your transition from student to colleague. Covid-19 has made the world an uncertain place however, I am certain that you are well prepared to be at the bedside of the sickest of the sick. Be mindful as nurses the public looks to us to set examples by our behavior. Continue to social distance, mask, and teach others to control infection during these times of celebration. I look forward to seeing you in clinical practice.
A special shout out for an excellent job on your resiliency & congratulations!
I celebrate with all of you.
Take Care,

Kathy Fischer - Faculty/Staff

Near give up! Always try your best and study hard so you can succeed.

Lucia & Joe Babiak - Alumni

Congratulations to all of the 2020 graduates. A special shout out to the Office Assistant certificate graduates: Devi, Dayanna, Janet, Ivonne, Nida & Racquel.

Becky Curtin

Way to go Jackey boy!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations   we love you.

Darlene Bischoffer

Brian Leavitt

Congratulations to all our Honors and Phi Theta Kappa graduates! I am watching and celebrating with you today. I am so proud of everything you have accomplished, and I know you will all achieve great things!

-Prof. Tomasian

Alicia Tomasian - Faculty/Staff

Way to go Class of 2020! What a story you will have to share the rest of your lives--look how special you are!
But make mo mistake--you are special for reasons other than being the class of Quarantine. The very fact that you are graduating, means that you completed something "against the odds. "

Class of 2020 you will always be special to me. You are the first graduating class of my career as full-time faculty! I have had the pleasure of seeing so many of your grow, accomplish and fight to the end. I'm so proud of you all!

Cheers!
MK

Maham Khan - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations class of 2020! I know you will go on to do great things. Remember to always continue to learn new things as education should never end,

Sue Skora - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations to the Class of 2020. What a wonderful accomplishment you all have achieved! Continue to reach for the stars>

Leslye Smith - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations to the class of 2020!! Special shout out to my daughter Mabel Salgado who worked so hard to achieve her dream in becoming a dental hygienist. To her mentors, I thank you so much for all the guidance, knowledge and patience you provided to help her reach her goal.

Mary Ann Salgado - Mother

Congrats! Stay the course. We are so proud of you, Danny Foster! Way to go!

Amanda Llorens - Family member of student

congratulations to Elisa Bigurra. You have sacrifice a lot to get to where you're at. We your family are extremely proud of you. Your will to succeed is stronger that you had imagined. We love you and congratulations ❤❤❤.

Marlene Mancera

Congratulations, you did it. Best of luck!

Daniela Alqui Viveros

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! All of you should feel proud of your accomplishment! You've reached this awesome milestone with hard work and resilience. Best wishes to all as you move forward toward your futures. You are always part of the Harper Community!

Karin Lacour-Rivers - Faculty/Staff

Take the road less traveled by my friends! Be brave and passionate in all you pursue. Take pride in earning your education and never stop learning. Thanks for being my student and for sharing your life with me. I'm proud of your accomplishment and wish you all good things. Wash your hands! XOXOXO LPC

Laura Pulio Colbert - Faculty/Staff

Class of 2020, You are strong. You are determined. You are fearless. You are AMAZING! Congratulations! To the Wonderful Dental Hygiene Class of 2020, You got this! Thank you for touching my life and my heart. Love you. kh

Kathi Hock - Faculty/Staff

This is to specially congratulate Lorla Fajimi and the whole set of Class of 2020 on their passing out today. The ceremony today is a culmination of your hard work and perseverance.
You will surely use this to better yourself and the society in general. Congratulations.

Mustapha Usman Aloji - Lorla Fajimi Friend from Nigeria

Shoutout to Marco Savedraa! best of luck with your future endeavors! you are capable of accomplishing any goals you set your mind to. We are all cheering for you! 🙌🏻

Vanesa Sanchez - Community Member

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! May 16, 2020 is a great milestone of many for you! We know this is the beginning of your next chapter and we know you'll soar as Harper College Hawks! We're Harper College Proud of your accomplishments and wish you well!

Avis Proctor - President, Harper College

Congratulations Angelo Shands, Mannan Mohammad, Rose Isela Manuel, Erica Quinones, Nicole Perez Contreras, Ketu Patel, Vrush Patel, Melissa Montes De Oca, Rodrigo Luna, Jehanzeb Khan, Maham Javed, Sulaman Hyder, Kyle Howe, Joslyn Garcia, Keilly Cordon (Do not ever forget, Chicago pizza is the best pizza in the world), Sahira Baig, Lorreine Arroyave, Grace Yim, Shirley Urbano, Swaira Shahid, Heta Patel, Danny Foster, Dishaben Patel, Karina Lara Ruiz, Ashalei Lacy, Ashalei, Kris Kuylen, Leslie Guerrero, Alexis DeArcangelis, and Fegie! Super proud of all your hard work, you will be very missed in OMD. Continue working towards your goals.  You're welcomed to come by for snacks anytime.

Amelia Ortiz Young - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations to the class of 2020 OMD scholars for all their hard work at Harper throughout the years. It has been an honor to work with all of you. Best wishes on your next adventure, you will do awesome.

Amelia Ortiz Young - Community Member

Jessie, I am so proud of you and all your accomplishments! You are such a good student and hard worker. You are so smart and you are going to go far and succeed in life! I will be cheering you on throughout your life and am looking forward to seeing you strive to be the best person you can be! I love you!

Jacqui Kaluzny - Alumni

There will never be another class like this one. Thank you for your perseverance, dedication, and hard work. I look forward to seeing how you each will change the world. Congratulations!

Mike Barzacchini - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations, Class of 2020! Now is your time to soar like a hawk. The sky's the limit! Pursue your dreams. You can do it. We believe in you.

Carol Carlson-Nofsinger - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations Harper Class of 2020! With eyes wide open, take a deep breath, smile, and find peace and joy in your accomplishments. You did it!! And a special shout out to our OMD graduates. We are already missing you but know that we are so excited to continue to watch you spread your wings as you begin your next journey. Know that you will always be part of our OMD family, and remember to keep being one-in-a-million!

Jessica Papa - Faculty/Staff

Congrats Joel on all your hard work! Best of luck to you on your future goals.

Joey Serna - Alumni

Congratulations Harper 2020 Graduates! You did it. Enjoy this wonderful milestone in your lives

Amelia Ortiz Young - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations graduates. Nothing in this world is impossible. Even the word itself says I M POSSIBLE. Celebrate your accomplishments and know that this is just the beginning of all that is possible.

Pascuala Herrera - Faculty/Staff

Shout out to Heather Mackin! Way to go!! So proud of you! xoxox

Molly Mackin - Community Member

Harper Graduates. Congratulations on this culmination of many achievements--big and small--over the course of your time at Harper College. This semester was particularly harrowing; no one asked for a global pandemic to eclipse our everyday lives. No one asked for this illness, or for students to have to quickly pivot to online learning. The fact that you did pivot, however, and successfully, demonstrates your incredible resilience, flexibility, and stamina. These skills are invaluable--they will carry you forward so many times when you think things are impossible. Granted, few life skills are more important than knowing MLA formatting, but when you face more really hard stuff, we hope you'll remember that you did a really big thing when life was really hard. Please build on this success and have confidence in yourself--the next generation needs you, and you'll be ready when they arrive.

Andrew Anastasia - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and a special congrats to OMD Scholars! I am so proud of each one of you. You have all worked so hard and have dedicated yourselves to accomplishing your goals. It has been such a pleasure being able to support you throughout your journey at Harper. I wish you all the best as you embark on the next chapter of your lives. Know that you will always have your OMD family cheering for you every step of the way.

Monica Meneses - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations, Alexis! Super proud of all your hard work. OMD will miss you.

Amelia Ortiz Young - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations, Rose! Super proud of all your hard work. OMD will miss you. You are a superwoman.

Amelia Ortiz Young - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations, Angelo! Super proud of all your hard work. OMD will miss you. You're always welcomed to stop by for snacks.

Angelo Shands - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations Shirley! Super proud of all your hard work. OMD will miss you.

Shirley Urbano - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations, Swaira! Super proud of all your hard work. OMD will miss you.

Amelia Ortiz Young - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations, Ashalei Lacy! Super proud of all your hard work. OMD will miss you.

Amelia Ortiz Young - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations to the class of 2020 OMD scholars for all their hard work at Harper throughout the years. It has been an honor to work with all of you. Best wishes on your next adventure, you will do awesome.

Amelia Ortiz Young - Community Member

Graduates — You reached your goals! Congratulationson your accomplishments.

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” ~ Pele, Brazilian soccer player

Sending a virtual “High Five” to all of you!

Jan Elbert - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations Class of 2020! It has been our pleasure to have you on our beautiful campus. Please come back and visit often.

Nancy Savard - Alumni 2005

Congratulations class of 2020, you have endured, overcome, and surpassed so many odds. This year will someday be looked at as yet another hurdle you too have concord! Go forth and show everyone you have what it takes!

Thomas (Fred) French - Faculty/Staff

Well you did it, congratulations! As the story goes "Today is your day your are off to great place, you off and away." Best of everything class of 2020! Wish I was there to celebrate with you.

Robert Allare - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations class of 2020. I am so proud of your accomplishment and excited for your future. The resiliency you demonstrated getting to this point will take you far in life. Best wishes!

Megan Dallianis - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations!! You have all achieved your goal of graduating and we are all proud of you. Continue on this path and you will achieve all that you want in life. Good Luck in all your future endeavors.

Joanne Gorecki - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations Class of 2020! Wishing all of you happiness, success and the very best!

Mary Budyak - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations Class of 2020 on achieving a milestone of which you all should be very proud. No matter the paths that you may take from here, you've taken important steps towards creating amazing futures for yourselves. My wishes for your continued success and that you all continue to SOAR in all your future endeavors.

Mike Vanlandingham - Faculty/Staff

Congrats to the Class of 2020 on achieving your goals. May this be the first of many milestones and accomplishments in your life. Go out and conquer the world! Let your light shine as bright as possible. We are so very proud of you! We are Harper!!

Michelé Smith - Faculty/Staff

Joseph Badalamenti, I am so very proud of you and what you have accomplished. Celebration or not will never diminish this hard earned milestone in your life. I am right beside you reaching for all the dreams you have yet to realize. Life is just beginning. It might seem sad and dark now but that rainbow is right on the next horizon. I love you and always will as you journey through life.
GOOD LUCK and safe travels wearever that may lead you.

Mom

Lisa Valenti - Current Student

Class of 2020, congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure!

Erika Hartman - Alumni 2015 - Business Administration

Congratulations on achieving a significant milestone in your life! We are very proud of all that you accomplished and wish you all the best as you Go Forward. Go Hawks!

Matt McLaughlin - Alumni 1994

Fantastic job, Graduates! Good luck to you on your academic journeys.

Stephany Rimland - Chair, Art Departmentf

Congratulations to our graduating class of 2020! We are so excited and proud of all our graduates as we get to share this milestone with you.

Wishing you the best!

Office of Student Financial Assistance - Faculty/Staff

Graduation! It’s finally here. You are in an elite group of people with a college credential. I hope you take the time to reflect on how special and meaningful that is. I am honored that you selected Harper College. I am proud that you are a Harper Hawk. I welcome you as an alumni of Harper College and encourage you to never stop learning. Harper will continue to be here to help you .

Congratulations!

Dr. Maria Coons - Interim Provost - Harper College

Congratulations Harper College Class of 2020! Your hard work paid off. You've shown resilience, patience and perseverance in these ever-changing times. Be proud of what you have achieved and look ahead with great anticipation!

Lori Eschenbaum - Faculty/Staff

congrats 🎊🎉🍾 Tya nancy we are proud of you na abot najud nimu emo pangandoy❤️. take care always god bless 😘😘😘 

Nancy Reynolds

Message for Amber Brown

My heart felt congratulations to all of your accomplishments! Stay strong better days are ahead. Good luck on the next chapter of your life. I just know that you will succeed in everything you put your mind to. I‘m just sorry that we didn’t get to see you before you graduate but know that we are all thinking of you. You have been a rockstar for the Foundation office and we will miss you terribly. Leap forward!!!!

Best, Suzette

Suzette Tolentino - Faculty/Staff

Class of 2020 - Congratulations, you made it! Celebrate YOU and all of your accomplishments today! Wishing you all the best in your next life adventure!

Sheryl Otto

 Congratulations! From you entire Harper family - you are amazing! Although we're sad that we can't be physically together to celebrate, we will always be here for you in spirit. Harper proud - today and always!

Vicki Atkinson - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We are so proud that you stuck through the difficult spring semester and finished strong! Wishing you all the best as you take your next steps into your new season of life.

Joyce Wisniewski

Congrats class of 2020! I’m so proud of you for completing all the hard work to finally make it to graduation! I can’t wait to see what the future brings for you but I know you’ll be great!

Gurwinder Kaur

Oh the places you will go....
So proud of you Class of 2020! Congratulations !
Dream Big and Reach for the Stars!

Wishing you all the best!

Mary Kay

Mary Kay Harton - Dean of Students, Harper College

Congratulations to all Harper 2020 graduates! A special shout-out to the Fast Track graduates. We celebrate your success and are honored to have you in Fast Track. We are Harper and will continue to support you in the next phase of your education and career journey.

Maggi Franks - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations to the class of 2020! You have persevered during an unprecedented time and I couldn't be more proud of each and every one of you. What a tremendous accomplishment and on behalf of the entire Law Enforcement and Justice faculty team, we wish you the very best. May you embody professionalism, respect, integrity, courage, and excellence as you build upon what you learned and experienced at Harper College.

Brad Grossman - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations class of 2020!!! You did it!!! Keep pressing forward on to great places and continue to believe in yourself, your goals, your dreams, it's attainable!

Diane Tarver - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! You did it! You hard work and dedication have truly paid off. Take the time to celebrate your amazing achievement. Harper is proud of you!

As our newest alumni, make sure to stay in touch, participate in an alumni program or event, and keep us posted on the amazing things you accomplish in your future! You are now a part of the Harper Alumni Community. Congratulations from the Harper Alumni Program!

Shannon Hynes - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations! I hope you are able to take a moment and enjoy this wonderful accomplishment.

Professor Contreras

Ana Contreras - Faculty/Staff

Congrats! Stay Strong! You showed you can persevere! Now keep the momentum going!

Frank Trost - Faculty/Staff

Dear Class of 2020., I applaud you for your hard work and ability to make it to the finish line during this most difficult time. You are stronger for it! If you are a former student of mine, please keep in touch and always keep sight of your goals. Be gritty and never stop trying.

Cari Paterno - Faculty/Staff

Class of 2020 you did it! I wish each and every one of you a life full of learning. Congratulations.

Darice Trout - Faculty/Staff

Congratulations Harper College Class of 2020! We are all so very proud of you and the hard work that you have put in to earn your degree or certificate. One important piece of advice that I can give you all is to NEVER GIVE UP no matter what circumstances you face throughout your lifetime. You can make it in life and I know that you all are going to do incredible things throughout life.

Jacob Van Meter - Current Student

CONGRATULATIONS HARPER COLLEGE CLASS OF 2020 FROM HARPER COLLEGE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT!

Student Involvement

Congratulations Harper College Graduating Class of 2020! Whether you have been awarded a certificate or degree, I congratulate you and your achievement. May you always remember this as a positive and enriching time, and may you always be encouraged to keep learning, and celebrate your personal and professional achievements along the way. Thank you for being a Harper student, and for being the reason that I continue to connect with Harper. Please stay in touch! 

Sue Borchek Smith, Staff - Student Involvement

Congratulations, Class of 2020! We are so proud of you! May your SOAR!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined!

Henry David Thoreau 

Michele DeCanio, Faculty/Staff

Congratulations class of 2020! Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“Plan to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

All the Best! Reverend Fesutus L. Johnson, Jr. 

Festus L. Johnson, Jr., Faculty/Staff

Congratulations, Harper Class of 2020! You've worked so hard, and showed such resilience during these last few months. You are always a part of the Harper family - I wish you all the best and can't wait to hear about your future successes!

Heather Zoldak, Faculty/Staff

Congratulations. Class of 2020. We are all so very proud of you.

Anything you do,
Let it come from you.
Then it will be new.
Give us more to see.

--Stephen Sondheim SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Kevin Long, Faculty/Staff

Congratulations. Class of 2020! Your perseverance will serve you well as you move on to your next objectives. We are so proud of you. We are Harper! Best wishes to all of you.

Jeff Julian, Faculty/Staff

Class of 2020. You did it! We are so proud of your accomplishments. Soar your wings and make a difference. You are a Harper Hawk! Congratulations.

Laura Brown, Faculty/Staff

Congratulations, class of 2020! You are strong and, resilient Each of you will blossom and thrive.

Caryn Levington, Faculty/Staff

It is a great accomplishment that you are graduating this May! I would like to congratulate the entire graduating class of 2020 for your perseverance and dedication. May your future be blessed as you begin the next chapter in your life. Cheers and God bless!!!

Jennifer Summerhill-Prislinger, Former Harper student and former Palatine resident

Job Placement Resource Center

Congrats to the Class of 2020!!! You did it!!!

Sonia Jawnyj, Faculty/Staff

I am a quote person, so I wanted to share some quotes with you as you move on to your next adventure...

"Speak with honesty. Think with sincerity. Act with integrity" - Unknown

"Change is INEVITABLE. Progress is OPTIONAL." - Tony Robbins

"Next time you're afraid to share ideas, remember someone once said in a meeting, let's make a film with a tornado full of sharks." - Unknown

"Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want" - Unknown

"Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think." - Albert Einstein

"Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome." - Unknown

To the Harper College graduating class of 2020 - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Dana Tenenbaum, Faculty/Staff

Harper College Alumni make a difference every day…we are so honored you have joined us! WTG Grads of 2020! Nothing can stop you now! Get after it!

Marguerita Whitby, 2008 Alum

Congratulations graduates, you did it!!!!! As a fellow Harper alum, I am so proud and excited for every one of you. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you’re now a lifetime member of the Harper College alumni family. Though you’re graduating at a very difficult time in our world, you’re already one step ahead with the knowledge and experience you gained at Harper. This isn’t so much about saying goodbye to you today, but more like so long, as Harper will always be here for you, be it by providing job search advice, offering fun continued education classes, and much more. I wish you all the very best in your life ahead, with much success and happiness.

Wendy Levine, 1984 Alum

Congratulations class of 2020! We are so proud that you started, you rode it out no matter how challenging it got, and you finished. You should be very proud.  Good luck with your next choice – be it further study, a new career or your next challenge.  And remember, as a proud Harper College Alumni you will always have the Harper family on your side.

Laurie Turpin-Soderholm, 1982 Alum

Congratulations! We celebrate not only your achievement today, but in your successes that are sure to continue tomorrow. Well done and couldn't be prouder of you all.

Donna Harwood, 1988 Alum

Congratulations on your graduation, Class of 2020!  Your Harper degree will serve you well as you start your next chapter.

Lauren Chilvers

Dear Harper Grads,
I attended Harper on numerous occasions between 1997 and 2005. I graduated Cum Laude with a degree in interior design. That was my second two-year degree as I had received one from Triton College years before in construction management and contracting.

That interior design degree spanned 15 years in terms of the time it took me to obtain it. Half was done over several years while I lived in the Bay Area of San Francisco. Then, due to continued full-time work constraints, which included Nationwide travelling, it took me another eight years to actually finish the work at Harper.

Perseverance and patience were necessary for me to be able to say ""I'm a Harper graduate""! It's got to be very hurtful that you're not going to be able to have an in-person ceremony; it is a great feeling to put on cap and gown and receive your diploma. However, knowing you did a great job, and put it in a lot of hard work and effort, should be what you hold onto at this moment in time. I'm proud of you and you should be proud of yourself, too!

Life is very weird right now, and I feel we're in what my girlfriend calls ""the pause"". It's a similar feeling after you graduate when you're not really sure exactly where your life is going to take you. You've got some ideas of what that's is going to look like, but not really sure. Just stay in love and not fear, know that you're in the right place, and go forth with pride to serve your community the best way you know how!

Sending everyone a big cyber hug from Arizona!

Deborah Murphy, 2006 Alum, Interior Design

Be proud of what you have accomplished and remember the good times Harper College gave you.

Pauline Wieland, 1981 Alum

Congratulations for getting your degree. I graduated 2006, after going for 25 years. Was one of the best days of my life. I sure wish things were different, but if you made it to graduate, that's the important thing. Much luck in the future, stay strong, stay safe, always keep on learning.

Nancy Fazzio, 2006 Alum, Hotel Management