Graduates from DePaul University's Class of 2019 share their stories and plans for the future. Clockwise from top left: Willord Simmons, Jacqueline Sanchez, Baylee Ritter and Amanda Moreland. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)This June, DePaul students will gather with family and friends to celebrate commencement at Wintrust Arena. This year some 6,600 new grads will be making plans to take what they’ve learned and shape the future of this city and other communities throughout the world.
Among those graduates are four exceptional students who have already put their knowledge into practice through teaching, research and advocacy. Here are some stories from the Class of 2019:
Willord Simmons | B.M. in Music Education | School of Music Observing music workshops in prison inspired this scholar to research ways that inmates’ creativity and collaboration could inform approaches in traditional classrooms.
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Baylee Ritter | B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising with a double major in Communication and Media and a minor in Environmental Communication | College of Communication
Keeping plastics out of our world’s oceans isn’t just a hobby for Baylee Ritter. The environmental activist has spoken at the United Nations and sailed a boat made of discarded plastics down a river as part of a life-long effort to educate.
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Jacqueline Sanchez | B.S. in Early Childhood Education| College of Education
Growing up in Chicago, Jacqueline Sanchez admired her teachers in Chicago Public Schools while her family struggled to survive. At age 34, this Latina mom is ready to give back in the classroom.
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Amanda Moreland | J.D. | College of Law
Never turning down an opportunity to serve, Amanda Moreland completed more than 1,000 hours of public service while studying public health law at DePaul.
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The June 15-16 ceremonies will be held at Wintrust Arena in Chicago's South Loop. A seventh ceremony was held in May for the College of Law. Find details about the ceremonies, including information about speakers and a live video stream of the events, at
http://bit.ly/DePaulGrad2019.