VJ
Victoria Jones
  • teaching language arts/English
  • Class of 2015
  • Rock Falls, IL

Victoria Jones of Rock Falls graduated from Augustana College

2015 Jul 6

Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., held its spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 24. Executive director of Gallup Education, Brandon Busteed, delivered the commencement speech. Around 600 students participated in the ceremony.

Among the graduates earning a bachelor of arts degree during the 2014-2015 academic year:

Victoria Jones, from Rock Falls, graduated with a major(s) in teaching language arts/English.

Those graduating were given advice by Brandon Busteed, who said, "Talent is like a fingerprint, every human being has unique talents. The key is using yours to become the best you."

President of Augustana College, Steven Bahls, speaking on life after graduation, said, "Though you may be apprehensive about your future, you now have the skills and confidence to build rewarding lives of leadership and service." President Bahls added, "Augustana students do not shy away from deep intellectual conversations, nor are they afraid of great passion in their work. Augustana students are, in a word, awesome."

Representing the class of 2015, Ebony Allen spoke on what an education at Augustana has done for them. "The class of 2015 is full of rebels, class clowns, athletes -- intelligent, funny, caring and ambitious students," she said. "Students who have been accepted into grad programs nationwide. Students who have jobs waiting for them after we leave here today." In her final comments she said, "Though some of us may not know what we'll do after graduation, we face the future without fear, knowing Augustana -- our home, our alma mater -- has prepared us to be everything we want to be in life."

During the ceremonies, an honorary doctor of humane letters degree was presented to Brandon Busteed.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 158 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.