South Central College’s 2023 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 11 at Bresnan Arena in Taylor Center on the campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato. The ceremony starts at 4 p.m. with doors opening at 3 p.m. The event will celebrate graduates from the college’s Faribault and North Mankato campuses completing their programs in Fall 2022, Spring 2023, or Summer 2023. The total number of graduates for these semesters is 579.
This year’s keynote speaker is Kelly Nygaard, President of the Stillwater/Oak Park Heights Convention and Visitors Bureau, who graduated from Faribault High School and South Central College. Before that, she worked for the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism for six years, managing downtown revitalization and tourism efforts.
Kathy Sheran will speak on behalf of the Minnesota State Board of Trustees, where she has served since 2020. She previously served for three terms in the Minnesota Senate and 16 years as President of Mankato’s City Council.
The student speaker will be Annabelle Wellnitz, who is graduating with two degrees: an associate of arts and an associate of applied science in culinary arts. While at SCC, she was active in Collegiate DECA, serving as SCC’s chapter co-president and receiving a state Outstanding Leadership plaque.
More commencement information is available at www.southcentral.edu/graduation.