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Simon Rodriguez
Waubonsee Community College will celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 with commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, at the college’s Sugar Grove Campus Field House. Ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and tickets are required.
At Waubonsee, 1,005 individuals have earned degrees during the 2025-2026 academic year. Forty-one students earned Presidential Honors of a 4.0 grade point average (GPA), and 287 earned Academic Honors of a GPA between 3.5 and 3.9. The average GPA of this group of students is 3.21. Reflecting the college’s diverse community, the graduates range in age from 17 to 70.
This year’s commencement speaker will be Waubonsee alumnus Simon Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a son of immigrant parents from Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, born and raised in Aurora, Illinois. A graduate of East Aurora High School, he went on to earn degrees from both Waubonsee Community College and Illinois State University, while also being awarded a Fulbright scholarship. He currently serves as the Youth Services Manager for the City of Aurora.
The 58th commencement ceremonies will be led by Faculty Marshal Dr. Lisa Fozio-Thielk, Professor of Psychology, and Student Marshal Michelle Alaniz, Student Senate President and Class of 2026 graduate.
Friends and family unable to attend commencement in person can watch the ceremonies via the college’s English and Spanish livestreams, which begin shortly before each event. For those attending in person, a live Spanish translation will be available on mobile devices via personal headsets.
For more information about commencement, visit waubonsee.edu/graduation.
