Let’s celebrate some Ivy Tech Northeast grads, shall we?

Friday evening, more than 500 men and women donned their caps and gowns, smiled big smiles, cried happy tears, and left Memorial Coliseum official graduates from Ivy Tech Northeast.

Before the ceremony, graduates lined up by program around the coliseum arena, chatting with their friends and waiting for the OK to file into the arena and take their seats. So I stopped grads at random with my trusty white board and asked them , simply, what do you think about today? What’s going through your head?

WR Sanders, Industrial Technology, had 30 years of experience in welding, but he returned to school two years ago to learn new techniques. He would like to teach welding; he already teaches guitar and vocals.

WR Sanders, Industrial Technology. WR had 30 years of experience in welding, but he returned to school two years ago to learn new techniques. He would like to teach welding; he currently teaches guitar and vocals.

Josh Cabrera, Manufacturing Production and Operations. Because Josh finished his degree, he received a promotion at work.

Jessica Parker, Criminal Justice. She plans to go on to receive her bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice at IPFW.

Jessica Parker, Criminal Justice. She plans to work on her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at IPFW.

Bethany Beachler, General Studies. Why anxious? "Because I've been working for this day for so long--3 1/2 years. She had a background in medicine and hopes to find a job in the medical field.

Bethany Beachler, General Studies. Why anxious? “Because I’ve been working for this day for so long–3 1/2 years.” She has a background in medicine and hopes to find a job in the medical field.

Tiara Kuckuck, Business Management. She’s not sure what she’ll do now that she’s graduated: “Wherever the wind takes me.”

Josiah Gordon, Elementary Education. Josiah plans to receive his bachelor's degree from IPFW now.

Josiah Gordon, Elementary Education. Josiah plans to work on his bachelor’s degree from IPFW.

Brian Farmer, General Studies. Brian has been working on his associate degree for about a decade, taking a class at a time in addition to working full time and caring for his wife and children. He has already enrolled in summer classes to start his work on an associate degree in business.

Brian Farmer, General Studies. Brian has been working on his associate degree for about a decade, taking a class at a time while working full time and having a wife and children. He has already enrolled in summer classes to start his work on an associate degree in business.

And now, let’s show some love to some of the marketing office’s favorite grads, shall we? First off, there’s Mary Jo Toenges, the office’s marketing and events specialist. She graduated with her associate degree in Office Administration.

Next off, meet Kaila Shoemaker. A graduation speaker finalist, Kaila was a marketing intern this semester. She received an associate degree in Hospitality Administration.