President/CEO Steve Gunderson of Career Education Colleges & Universities Presented Keynote Address
[Bridgeview, Chicago-Jefferson Park, IL] Northwestern College held its 114th Commencement Ceremony on June 8 at The Copernicus Center in Chicago’s Jefferson Park. President Lawrence Schumacher announced that nearly 280 students that participated were awarded certificates and degrees upon completing their studies at the College’s two Illinois campuses, including Bridgeview and Chicago-Jefferson Park, as well as on-line. In total, nearly 450 students graduated from Northwestern College throughout the four quarters of this academic year.
The largest group of graduates stemmed from the College’s School of Health Sciences (including Health Information Technology, Coding, Medical Assisting and Radiologic Technology programs) as well as the Violet L Schumacher School of Nursing. The graduates also stemmed from the Schools of Commerce and Technology as well as Legal Studies, including the Programs of Business Administration, Criminal Justice and Paralegal.
This year Northwestern College was honored to feature Steve Gunderson as its Keynote Speaker. Gunderson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the national association of Career Education Colleges & Universities, in addition to being a retired US Congressman from Wisconsin. Following a distinguished career in public service, Gunderson now devotes his energies to speaking out and advocating on behalf of career schools like Northwestern College, ensuring that students of all sectors of higher education are treated uniformly, and that our nation properly invests in workforce education programming.
Gunderson graduated from both a public university and one of the career schools from the educational sector he now advocates for. In doing so, Gunderson has said, “I learned the theory at UW-Madison, and I learned the practical at Brown School of Broadcasting.”
Gunderson was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature at the age of 23 and after 3 terms, was elected a US Congressman. During his 16 year tenure he made numerous contributions, but he was recognized as a leader on Education and Employment Policy. His post-public office career has revolved around career education, workforce development, and “The Jobs Revolution in America”. Since 2012 Gunderson has served as President and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities, where his work is strictly focused on career education and workforce development.
During his remarks to the Northwestern College Class of 2018, Gunderson first shared three messages with the graduates: 1)You Are Good; 2)As you enter this new career, Be Good; and 3)Understand that more than your professional career, life in its totality requires you to Do Good. With respect to “You Are Good,” he explained that there are far more job openings in the workforce than there are skilled, qualified applicants, making their educational accomplishments that much more significant. “You are good because of what you have done,” he stated, and that no matter how many dark clouds and bad days you endure throughout your lives and careers, “No one can ever take away from you the achievements that we are celebrating today.”
Gunderson went on to urge the Class of 2018 to “Be Good.” As many of the graduates are entering the healthcare industry where there is an incredible demand, he pointed out that science and technology are producing new innovations in healthcare delivery every day. “This means you must be a lifelong learner,” he told them. “Whether it’s formal or informal education, you cannot take care of the people you want to take care of if you don’t keep up with the incredible pace of change.”
Finally, Gunderson asked the graduates to “Do Good.” They are entering the workforce at a time of an incredibly divided citizenry. “We need you to understand that you are not only a professional, but you are also a good citizen, a good neighbor, and a good colleague to those who like you, and to those who do not like you.”
In his concluding remarks, Gunderson professed that true success is to leave the world a better place in some way, and to know that even one life has breathed easier because you had lived. “You are good. You must be good. And you must do good.”
The graduates were also addressed by the College’s President, Lawrence Schumacher. President Schumacher focused his remarks on the triumphs of the graduates. Many are the first in their families to earn a college degree, and the majority had to juggle jobs, families, spouses, finances, households – including single parent households – while enrolled at Northwestern College.
“College is not a utopia where you get to put life on hold while trying to get your education,” said President Schumacher. “College was a struggle for everyone, even if it felt like you were the only one struggling.” Commencement is not only a ceremony to recognize their educational accomplishments, he explained, but recognition of the balancing act they performed with their everyday lives in order to get there.
In his concluding remarks, President Schumacher imparted these last few words. “This commencement does not mark the end of something, but the beginning of the next phase of your journey. Walk proudly…seize new opportunities, and live extraordinary lives. There is nothing you cannot do if you put your mind, heart and soul into it!”
About Northwestern College:
Northwestern College (NC) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 230 S. LaSalle St., Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 263-0456, www.hlcommission.org. The college offers focused career-oriented associate degree and certificate programs with flexible schedules and a supportive faculty. Day, evening, weekend, online classes and online programs are available. More information can be found at www.NC.edu or by calling toll-free (888) 205-2283.