On Sunday, June 9, three CU Chicago graduates donned their caps and gowns at Chicago's Metropolitan Peace Academy to receive their Bachelor’s Degrees in Organizational Leadership & Change – Edward Jones, Lydell Lofton, and Tommie Jenkins! Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, our three grads were energetically welcomed to the next chapter of their journey.
Edward, Lydell, and Tommie are all members of our Institute for Nonviolence Chicago cohort, and represent the second-ever graduating class of CU Chicago, joining last year's graduate, Crystal Palmer-White of the Chicago Housing Authority.
Offering remarks at the celebration were CU co-founder and President Adam Bush, Provost and Vice President of Lifelong Learning Sylvia Spears, Board of Trustees Chair Wendell Pritchett, and Assistant Vice President for Community and Belonging José Rodriguez, in addition to Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Chief Training Officer Dr. Vanessa Perry DeReef and Senior Program Officer Jimi Orange.
CU Board members Tracie Hall and Andrea Sáenz also delivered remarks, congratulating the graduates on their momentous achievement.
The graduates were collectively honored with CU's Fighting for Justice Award, which recognizes graduating CU students who go above and beyond in advocating for a more just world.