The Link

6/1/2012
COLUMBIA COLLEGE

Columbia College of Missouri-Crystal Lake and Columbia College of Missouri-Elgin to hold joint commencement June 9

COLUMBIA, Mo., June 1, 2012 - Columbia College of Missouri-Crystal Lake and Columbia College of Missouri-Elgin will hold a joint commencement ceremony to recognize the 155 graduates who have completed degree requirements during the 2011-2012 academic year. The ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the Spartan Events Center, Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Ill.

Dr. Terry Smith, executive vice president and dean for Academic Affairs, will give the commencement address and confer the degrees with assistance from Dr. Eric Cunningham, associate dean for the Division of Adult Higher Education. Dr. David Sam, president of Elgin Community College, and Dr. Vicky Smith, president of McHenry County College, also will provide remarks.

"Commencement is the perfect time to recognize the commitment and dedication of our students," said Smith. "The road to higher education is not easy, and we are proud to honor their accomplishments."

Columbia College of Missouri-Crystal Lake was established in 1989 as a degree completion program at McHenry County College. In 2000, the campus relocated to downtown Crystal Lake, and then in 2008 it moved to the current location on Route 31. Throughout these moves, the partnership with McHenry County College has been kept intact.

In 1997, Columbia College of Missouri-Elgin was established as a degree completion program via an articulation agreement with Elgin Community College. Today, it is located in the University Business Center on the Elgin Community College campus and continues to serve adult learners in Elgin and surrounding areas.

Columbia College of Missouri-Crystal Lake offers six on-campus bachelor's degrees while Columbia College of Missouri-Elgin offers five. Both campuses offer 23 associate, bachelor's and master's degrees online.

Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Mo., Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 160 years. As a private, nonprofit, liberal arts and sciences institution, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. With more than 30 campuses across the country, 18 of which are on military installations, students may enroll in day, evening or online classes. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Columbia College educates more than 30,000 students each year and has more than 70,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit www.ccis.edu.

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(Contact: Jessica Royston, Public Relations Associate, (573) 875-7596, jroyston@ccis.edu)