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)CHICAGO — Stopping plastic from flowing into the ocean. Observing
music education behind bars. Earning a teaching degree while parenting. DePaul
University students take many different paths in their studies, gaining
real-world experience along the way.
Willord Simmons, Baylee Ritter, Jacqueline Sanchez and
Amanda Moreland are among the 6,600 DePaul students set to graduate this year
from DePaul University and will join more than 186,000 living alumni worldwide.
Six ceremonies will be held at Wintrust Arena in Chicago’s South Loop June
15-16, and a seventh ceremony was held in May for the College of Law. Details
about the ceremonies, including information about speakers and a live video stream
of the events are online at http://bit.ly/DePaulGrad2019.
These four exceptional students are among the many DePaul
graduates 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. Read more>>
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. Read more>>
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. Read more>>
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. Read more>>
About DePaul University
DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest
private, nonprofit university in the Midwest, with nearly 22,500 students and a
wide range of academic and professional degree programs. DePaul was founded in
Chicago in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), a Roman
Catholic religious community dedicated to following the ideals of St. Vincent
de Paul, the 17th century priest for whom the university is named. More
information is at www.depaul.edu.
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Media Contact:
Kristin Claes Mathews
kristin.mathews@depaul.edu
312-362-7735