The Bolling family practically skipped up the walkway to Purdue University Northwest’s Hammond campus.
In from Phoenix, Arizona, for Arriana Bolling’s graduation Saturday afternoon, the trio — dad Aaron Bolling, stepmom Tiffany and grandmother Ramona Bolling — stopped to take a picture of themselves in front of the Nils Building before finishing the jog to their seats. Arriana Bolling, who lives in Portage, was getting her degree in mechanical engineering, and they were going to savor every moment.
“She’s the first in our family to graduate college,” Aaron Bolling said with a mile-wide grin. “We’re feeling super and extremely grateful.”
“And she pushed through while working,” Ramona Bolling added. “She went through it.”
The families of some 677 Purdue Northwest students joined the Bollings in celebrating the graduates’ accomplishments during the school’s spring commencement Saturday. Nearly 900 students earned degrees this semester, including 755 bachelor’s degrees and 134 masters degrees, according to PNW spokesman Kale Wilk.
The keynote speaker, retired Lake County Judge Diana Kavadias Schneider, who earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 1971, walked the dais a second time as well, receiving her master’s in English. Schneider told the graduates that she’s troubled by today’s political climate.
“My generation took too much for granted, and I’m troubled by many things that are enumerated in the Preamble: Racism, sexism, political extremism, and misinformation are all antithetical,” she said. “Facts and truths do matter.
“Be good, be informed, hold your elected officials accountable and engage in peaceful opposition. And use your vote in every election.”
Schneider also offered the requisite graduate advice and suggested they make time for community service and to realize that failure never deterred her resolve and was often helpful.
“Count your blessings — there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t realize how many opportunities I’ve had — and always show gratitude,” Schneider said. “Instead of focusing on differences (in people), focus on what’s the same. People want to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Viviana Canelo, of St. John, was relieved to have gotten to graduation for her nursing degree. There were times that were maddeningly tough, she said.
“I’m not going to miss all the studying and the professors who were harsh, but I will miss the professors who were kind,” she said. “It feels great to know I accomplished getting through.”
Mom Sonia Canelo, also a nurse, beamed at her daughter. The two have had several conversations about which direction she was going to take her degree.
“I tried to talk her into med-surg like me, but she refused,” Sonia Canelo said, laughing. “She wants to do labor and delivery.”
Daniel Appiah Gyeke, who’s originally from Ghana in West Africa, said he owes his master’s in communication to retired PNW professor Mary Beth O’Connor, who helped him apply. After completing his doctorate at the University of Oregon, he plans to take his work back home.
“I’ve been working on a study that examines gaming and virtual reality and how they can be used to foster change (in African culture),” he said. “My family is really happy for me and can’t wait to see what my future holds.”
Chancellor Thomas Keon served as the master of ceremonies, never venturing off-script. Keon came under fire last winter for making a racist comment during a December commencement ceremony.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
