Riverland hosts first "Live" commencement Ceremonies since 2019 Friday

(ABC 6 News) – Riverland Community College will host its first live commencement ceremonies since the spring of 2019.

The 2020 and 2021 ceremonies were virtual ceremonies due to the pandemic.

On Friday, May 13, a total of 587 students are graduating from Riverland’s fall, spring, and summer semesters with approximately 277 participating in the two commencement ceremonies.

The 3 p.m. ceremony is for 174 students graduating in Accounting, Bookkeeper, Business Transfer Pathway, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Receptionist, Human Services, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Psychology Transfer Pathway, Health Sciences Broad Field, Medical Assistant, Nursing, Practical Nursing and Radiography.

The 6 p.m. ceremony is for the 102 students graduating from our Career Technical Programs.

The ceremonies will be presided by Riverland Community College President, Dr. Adenuga Atewologun. The keynote speaker at both ceremonies will be Jacinth Smiley, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Hormel Foods in Austin. The student speakers at the afternoon ceremony are Gracie Svien (Northfield) and Tanya Vanderpool (Hayfield).

The 6 p.m. student speakers are Evelyn Rosas (Owatonna) and Kyle David Traynor (Austin).