On Saturday, May 5, 2012, Schoolcraft College celebrated its 47th annual Commencement Ceremony at Compuware Arena in Plymouth, MI. Of the 1,696 students eligible to participate (those earning an associate degree or certificate), 440 graduates donned their caps and gowns and invited friends and family to celebrate their accomplishments.

Michael J. Wisniewski, Jr., a resident of Romulus and President of Schoolcraft College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for community colleges, presented the Student Reflection for the Class of 2012. Following his speech, Wisniewski, was recognized for his service to both the college’s chapter of PTK and as President of the Michigan Region of PTK, and the great success of both groups. In fact, as President of the Michigan Region, his leadership was recognized at the International PTK conference when the Michigan Region was named Distinguished Region and Michael received the Distinguished Regional Officer award.

Two other student leaders were recognized as well. Keith Dawkins, a resident of Southfield, also has been involved with PTK, serving as Vice President of Leadership this year. After some personal health and professional setbacks, Keith decided to return to college in Winter 2010. He also serves as a tutor in the Learning Assistance Center and tutors high school students in his spare time. Keith’s academic achievements and affinity for math have garnered him numerous awards and scholarships that will also be very helpful in continuing his education goals, which include earning an engineering degree from the University of Michigan. In fact, he was runner-up in the Math Department’s annual Pythagorean Prize competition, named to the All-Michigan Academic Team, has been named as one of only 50 National Coca-Cola Silver Scholars, and named a member of the All-USA Community College Academic Team.

Leah Esslinger, a resident of Plymouth, also served as an officer in PTK, as Vice President of Communications, alongside Michael and Keith, which is probably one of the reasons why the Schoolcraft chapter has been so active and achieved so much success. Leah also is a tutor at the college’s Learning Assistance Center where she tutors writing and Spanish and a staff writer for The Connection student newspaper and a faculty sponsored International Institute newsletter called The International Agenda. In her spare time, Leah has established a tutoring program with the college’s Americorp Vista program, The Detroit Project, which educates people about the social issues faced in Detroit, empowering students to become active citizens and to introduce Schoolcraft students to the rich cultural community Detroit offers. While Leah’s commitment to community service is certainly apparent, she is also an excellent student. Her scholarly attributes have earned her numerous state and national awards recently including The All-Michigan Academic Team, Michigan Outstanding Student Service Award, Newman Civic Fellowship from Campus Compact (of which Lean is only one of 162 so named in the United States), and one of only 20 Coca-Cola New Century Scholars in the U.S. and a member of the All-USA Community College Academic Team.

Following the special student recognitions, keynote speaker Paula D. Cunningham addressed the graduates and the 3,000 guests in attendance. Cunningham is President and CEO of Capitol National Bank (CNB), a subsidiary of Capitol Bancorp Ltd. In 2006 she was named to serve as only the third president of Capitol National Bank, which has been located in Lansing for more than 27 years. Prior to joining Capitol National Bank Ms. Cunningham had been with Lansing Community College for 25 years, where she held a variety of positions including associate professor in the management and marketing department; director of professional development; executive director of marketing, community and board relations; vice president of planning and college relations; and for six years as president, from 2000-2006. As President of Lansing Community College, she successfully led a community millage campaign to generate an additional $9 million for the institution into perpetuity. Under her leadership, the college implemented a strategic planning process that resulted in five new buildings and that significantly renewed the college. LCC’s main building was officially named the Paula D. Cunningham Administration Building in 2006 and is the only building in Lansing named after a woman. Following her address, Cunningham was presented with the 2012 Honorary Degree, which is presented to persons who have rendered distinguished service to community colleges and to the community. 

Jodi Latuszek, J.D., of Lansing, formerly of Livonia, was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2012. As a young adult and a very practical one at that, Latuszek recognized that her family’s financial
situation made pursuing a college education, let alone a law degree, difficult at best. She did not give up and
chose to begin her pursuit of higher education at Schoolcraft College. She joined the staff of the Schoolcraft Connection, the college’s student-run newspaper and received a scholarship for tuition. After graduating from Schoolcraft College in 2001, she transferred to Michigan State University, and then Cooley Law School where she earned her law degree. “My experience at Schoolcraft gave me the confidence to think bigger. If it was possible to earn tuition doing what I loved, I knew it was also possible that I could be a lawyer.” She currently works for Child Welfare Services State Court Administrative Office. In her first five years of practice she has briefed cases in both the Michigan and United States Supreme Courts. And she has been named one of the Top 5 lawyers under 35 by the Ingham County Bar Association.

The general Commencement Ceremony held May 5 is one of several ceremonies celebrating the achievements of Schoolcraft College’s graduates. Last week the Culinary Arts program held their ceremony, along with the Nursing programs annual Pinning Ceremony, which featured the graduation of 110 nursing students. Eleven members of the Police Reserve Officer Training program will graduate at the Radcliff Center in Garden City on Thursday, May 10; followed by 34 graduates of the Police Academy graduation on Friday, May 11; and 44 from the  Fire Academy  on Thursday, May 24.   These ceremonies all will begin at 6:30 p.m.