The 2024 Commencement Ceremony for South Central College (SCC) will take place Thursday, May 9 at the 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 2023, Spring 2024, or Summer 2024.
Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson is this year’s keynote speaker. Olson began serving as Chancellor of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities in August 2023. Before taking on oversight of the state-wide system that includes 33 colleges and universities, Olson was an academic leader in Southern Minnesota for more than two decades. From 2003 to 2012, he was provost and vice president for academic and student affairs at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and then president of Winona State University from 2012 – 2023.
“Over the years, our commencement keynote speakers have come from a broad range of fields,
with all having a unique ability to inspire others,” said Annette Parker, President of South Central College. “Dr. Olson certainly fits that description, and we are deeply honored that he accepted our invitation to return to Mankato to deliver this year’s keynote address.”
While it’s a rare opportunity to have the Minnesota State Chancellor speak at SCC’s commencement, it is a tradition for a member of the Minnesota State Board of Trustees to deliver an address each year. In another unusual move, this year’s representative from the board is also an SCC student.
Minnesota State Student Trustee and SCC student Christopher Richter will speak on behalf of the Minnesota State Board of Trustees. Richter was appointed by the governor to a two-year term on the Board of Trustees in September 2023. In the prior 2022-23 school year, Richter served as SCC’s Faribault Campus Student Senate President.
Making these accomplishments all the more impressive is the fact that Richter carried out both roles as a high school student in Minnesota’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program (PSEO allows high school students to enroll in college classes and programs while in high school). In addition to representing the Minnesota State Board of Trustees on stage throughout the commencement ceremony, Richter will also walk across the stage to receive his associate of arts degree from SCC.
And in June, he will also receive his diploma from Owatonna High School.
“Christopher is proficient in wearing many hats, so taking on the dual role of Minnesota State Trustee and SCC graduate at this year’s commencement is only natural,” said Parker. “While we will miss him as a student at SCC, we know he will continue to do an amazing job as a Minnesota State trustee and in the next phase of his education in engineering.”
SCC students Tracy Wuddah and Victoria Robinson will round out this year’s line-up of impressive commencement speakers.
Tracy Wuddah, who will deliver Student Remarks, is an international student from Ghana, West Africa, who is graduating with her Associate of Applied Sciences in Culinary Arts. She has proven her skills by placing in two collegiate culinary competitions. “Tracy’s story of triumphing over adversity is a true inspiration and I know all who hear it will be moved and motivated by her phenomenal journey,” said Parker. Wuddah has been active in the International Student Club and Women of Color Success Network. She has also worked with SCC’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the college’s Customized Workforce Education division.
Victoria Robinson will read a poem she first read in February at DREAM 2024, the annual national conference for Achieving the Dream, a nationwide network of colleges dedicated to student success. As SCC’s first DREAM Scholar, she read her “I AM” poem at the conference, receiving a standing ovation and an invitation to present her poem for the National Endowment of Humanities. Robinson is graduating from SCC with her Pre-Social Work Transfer Pathway associate of science degree and will transfer to Minnesota State University, Mankato as a junior to complete her Social Work bachelor’s degree.
“One of South Central College’s most powerful assets is the diversity of our student body, and this year’s commencement speakers certainly represent that,” said Parker. “Exposure to a variety of different backgrounds and perspectives, in the classroom, in the hallways, and yes, now at commencement, enriches the educational experience and cultural competence for all.”
More commencement information is available at www.southcentral.edu/graduation.
