rlcgrad2a.mov
Rend Lake College 45th Commencement Ceremony (Class of 2012 afternoon ceremony May 12)
INA, Ill. -- More than 800 students graduated from Rend Lake College on Saturday with 1,385 associate degrees and certificates. It was the college's 45th Annual Commencement ceremony.
Grads2012wOverall, the RLC Class of 2012 featured 830 graduates being conferred 702 associate degrees and 683 certificates. RLC President Charley D. Holstein congratulated the graduates, reminding them to thank those who supported and helped them get where they are today.
"We are extremely proud of each of you and we offer our best wishes for continued success," Holstein said.
In his address to the graduates, RLC Board of Trustees Chairman Bryan Drew talked about his experience as an RLC student and Class of 1995 graduate. He talked about the impact golf coach Dave Smith made on his life, and about the pleasure he takes from sitting as chairman of the board of an institution that is dear to him.
"The people here are not just your teachers or your coaches," Drew said. "They are individuals who become your friends. They become your mentors ... and, for some of you, they will become your peers. I think this is something unique that can only be found in the type of study here at Rend Lake College. I don't think this experience can be found ... at U of I, Harvard or Yale. ... They are there to turn out degrees. We are here at Rend Lake College to turn out successful people. Sitting before me are a number of successful people and your family and friends know that. We appreciate all that you have done."