Illinois

NIU Graduates Convene For December 2016 Commencement (Photos)

Northern Public Radio | By Jessie Schlacks

Published December 11, 2016 at 2:17 PM CST

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NIU President Doug Baker addresses graduates at the close of the Fall 2016 undergraduate commencement ceremony.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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Communication major Alexis Mencos sports a mortarboard that reads, "Though she be but little, she is fierce." It also features a character from the cartoon series "Powerpuff Girls."

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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Music majors Robert Cooper (left), Taylor Beekman, and Noel Henniger chronicle their experience before the Fall 2016 commencement ceremony Sunday.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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Biology majors Stephanie McDonald (left) and Alyssa Anderson share memories before the undergraduate ceremony Sunday. McDonald is originally from Zimbabwe and met Anderson at NIU. Both are getting married after graduation.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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NIU graduate Octavia Erkins is sworn in as second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the commencement ceremony. Erkins will be stationed in Fort Jackson after graduation.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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Bruce Porter II gets familiar with an NIU huskie during the Fall 2016 commencement ceremony. Porter came to see his uncle's graduation Sunday.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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Biomedical engineering major Tony Roberts stands as President Baker addresses his accomplishments. Roberts is a first-generation university student in his family, spent six years in Nigeria, and pursued three engineering internships while at NIU.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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Music education major Matt Doran sits after President Baker acknowledged his achievements. Doran plays piano and organ, participated in NIU ensembles and a full symphony orchestra, and maintained high grades.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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Music major Joel Pierce plays bass pans for the NIU Steel Band at the commencement ceremony.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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NIU Steelband director Liam Teague plays cello pans at the Fall 2016 commencement ceremony.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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Daniel Trout sits next to his wife Amanda (left) after the commencement ceremony. The two met and got married while at NIU.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

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President Baker discusses achievements of Journalism major Jessica Christofersen (right). She served in the U.S. Army, worked for The Northern Star, and was a finalist for a prestigious academic award. She also is working to become a commercial pilot.

Katie Finlon / WNIJ

Hundreds of students gathered for Northern Illinois University's undergraduate commencement ceremony Sunday at the Convocation Center. Friends, family, and relatives filled the stands for the graduation activities.

NIU President Doug Baker acknowledged what he calls "notable achievements" of several students, including Student Marshall Jessica Christofersen; she served in the United States Army, reported for The Northern Star, studied in England, and is working for commercial-pilot certification.

Another student, Octavia Erkins, was sworn in as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the ceremony.

The NIU Steel Band performed in the commencement ceremonies for the fourth consecutive year.