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Commencement 2019
Here's a look back at Indiana Tech's favorite day of the year!
 Brian Engelhart
 3 min

Graduating IT

Cheers and some tears (of joy) were the order of the day on Saturday May 11, 2019: Commencement Day at Indiana Tech. Over 1,000 Tech graduates took part in the university’s 98th commencement ceremonies at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. Indiana Tech faculty, staff, alumni and thousands of family and friends were on hand to help them celebrate. For the first time, Indiana Tech held two commencement ceremonies: one for those receiving undergraduate degrees, and another for those earning graduate-level degrees. See who were Indiana Tech’s outstanding students for 2019.

See a special video below from Commencement 2019—a video that capture the spirit of the occasion and a day known to all around the university as our best day of the year. Also, see a special video message, “The Way of a Warrior,” from 2019 BSBA graduate Xavier Williams, which was played at both commencement ceremonies.

The Way of the Warrior
Total Graduates

1,303 graduates

902 attended

Home Away from Home

104 international graduates

374 graduates from outside indiana

Beyond the Classroom

41 graduates are scholar-athletes

Perfect 4.0 GPA

25 undergraduates

15 master's graduates

3 Ph.D. graduates

Military

96 graduates are veterans or members of the military

Degree Types

1,066 Undergrads

218 Master’s

19 Ph.D.

The four founders of Northeast Indiana’s Advancing Voices of Women (AVOW) were this year’s commencement speakers, delivering remarks during the undergraduate commencement ceremony. Patti Hays, Marilyn Moran-Townsend, Rachel Tobin-Smith and Faith Van Gilder established Advancing Voices of Women (AVOW) in 2017. The non-partisan group works to advance the voices of women in civic life and community involvement, encourage civil discourse, welcome new voices, and promote honesty and integrity in public service and community conversations.

During the graduate commencement ceremony, Indiana Tech president Dr. Karl Einolf presented the AVOW founders with the Indiana Tech President’s Medal in honor of their service to the community. The graduate commencement also featured remarks from one of Tech’s newest Ph.D. graduates, Dr. Brian Ellis. Along with 13 others, Dr. Ellis was presented with his Ph.D. in Global Leadership degree during the graduate ceremony.

Assistant Professor of Biology Amy Shank was recognized during commencement as the 2019 Faculty of the Year award winner. Each year, a committee of students from the traditional undergraduate and College of Professional Studies programs choose the Faculty of the Year winner from among a slate of nominees offered by students. Award winners exemplify excellence in teaching through in-depth knowledge of their discipline; providing opportunities for growth and learning to students; building strong relationships with students and colleagues; holding high expectations for students; and helping them achieve their fullest potential, among other qualities.

Assistant Professor of Biology Amy Shank, middle, stands with President Einolf, left, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tom Kaplan after earning the 2019 Faculty of the Year award.
Assistant Professor of Biology Amy Shank, middle, stands with President Einolf, left, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Tom Kaplan after earning the 2019 Faculty of the Year award.

Each commencement ceremony concluded with a special performance of the Indiana Tech alma mater by alum and current Student Life Programming and Conference Events Coordinator Darius Darling. Following the ceremonies, the newly minted Indiana Tech alums were joined by family, friends, faculty and staff back on the main campus for a community picnic featuring Fort Wayne’s finest food trucks, games, and fellowship.

2019 Commencement Ceremony
Graduating class of 2019 seated as their classmates walk to receive their degrees Standing students celebrating and cheering with their fellow graduates Graduating class of 2019 seated as their classmates walk to receive their degrees A Ph.D. graduate being given her hood by President Einolf during the 2019 Commencement ceremony Graduating students waving at their friends and family from the seats during commencement President Einolf addressing the graduating class of 2019 Kathleen Watland and Dan Stoker presenting a degree to graduate during the commencement ceremony Indiana Tech first lady, Maria Einolf, celebrates with a 2019 Indiana Tech graduate Indiana Tech graduates displaying their Indiana Tech Institution of Technology degrees President Einolf shaking the hand of a graduate walking across stage A graduating student celebrating her degree during the ceremony A graduate student sitting with others during the ceremony. Her cap decorated with the Warrior I TECH art. Graduates celebrating from their seats during the commencement ceremony of 2019 Graduating students moving their tassels on their caps as the new graduates of 2019 Dr. Evans presenting a degree to graduating Kelsey Crilly during the commencement ceremony Pattie Hays from AVOW and CEO of Anthony Wayne Services speaking to the class of 2019 Graduating student with her cap displaying Meryln from AVOW speaking to the class of 2019 Graduate Kelsey Crilly singing the national anthem during the commencement ceremony Sherrill Hamman and President Einolf sharing a funny moment at commencement Pattie Hays and Rachel Tobin-Smith from AVOW sharing a funny moment at commencement Graduating class moving their cap tassels during the commencement ceremony Graduating students seated and posing together Marilyn Moran-Townsend speaking to the graduating class of 2019 2019 BSBA graduate Xavier Williams speaking to the graduating class of 2019 Ph.D. Graduate shaking hands with President Einolf during the 2019 commencement Ph.D. Graduate receiving his hood during the 2019 commencement ceremony Sherrill L. Hamman speaking to the graduating class of 2019 Graduate celebrating with her degree at the 2019 commencement ceremony Two international students posing together for a photo during the 2019 commencement ceremony A graduating student celebrating with his degree during the commencement ceremony Procession ceremony as faculty, board members and President Einolf enter the commencement ceremony International student displaying his sash during the commencement ceremony Rachel Tobin-Smith and Pattie Hays receiving the Indiana Tech President’s Medal in honor of their service to the community Rachel Tobin-Smith and Pattie Hays receiving the Indiana Tech President’s Medal in honor of their service to the community 2019 Commencement Ceremony Cap with a 2019 tassel Graduates celebrating and sharing a fun moment behind stage during the 2019 commencement ceremony Marilyn Moran-Townsend and Sherrill L. Hamman celebrating the class of 2019 Indiana Tech Graduate waving at his friends and family during the commencement ceremony A row of chairs with Kathleen Watland celebrating with a student on stage during the commencement ceremony Darius singing the Alma Matter during the 2019 Commencement ceremony Graduates posing with their families outside after the commencement ceremony Graduate posing with her daughter outside after the commencement ceremony Three students posing together for a photo after the commencement Graduates posing with their families outside after the commencement ceremony A graduate standing with a bouquet of flowers after commencement Graduate standing outside as she poses with her Indiana Institute of Technology degree A graduating student posing outside after commencement Graduates posing with their families outside after the commencement ceremony A graduate posing with his family for a photo while holding his degree from Indiana Tech Institute of Technology
Brian Engelhart
Story written by Brian Engelhart
Brian Engelhart, Indiana Tech's vice president for marketing and communication, has been with the university since August 2013.