Each graduate has a unique story of challenges overcome toward life improvement
Martin University will hold its 54th commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 27, at 12 o'clock noon in the Fr. Boniface Hardin Gathertorium, located at 2186 North Sherman Drive.
During the ceremony, 27 graduates will be honored; 18 undergraduate students will receive Bachelor of Science degrees, and nine will receive Master of Science degrees. Among the graduates are:
Sucara Melvin and her daughter, Seneca, will be among Martin's few dual-generation graduates. Sucara will receive her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and Seneca will receive her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development. While Sucara says, "It's been a struggle to get to this point," they were committed to supporting each other and dedicated to pursuing their education. They are excited to celebrate their historic milestone together and want to inspire others to pursue their dreams, proving "that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and support from loved ones."
Grecia Sanchez-Cruz will be the first student to graduate from Martin's High School Equivalency, Education for All program, designed to assist individuals who overcome numerous challenges but are eager to receive a high school diploma and want to pursue a college degree. This program is funded by a generous Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) grant.
Bianca Winston will be the second student to graduate from Martin's new teacher preparation program for highly qualified urban teachers' training and licensing, focusing on educating and serving children in preschool through sixth grade.
Albert Spalding will be the first student to complete Martin's new retail certificate program, a stackable credential allowing students to obtain certifications in grocery-related skills with the option to be applied toward an undergraduate degree in Business Administration.
Jason Johnson of Providence Cristo Rey High School will be the first high school student to complete EmployIndy's Job Ready Indy (JRI) Badge Program due to his corporate work-study assignment. JRI is a workforce development initiative that aims to validate participants' attainment of job skills through an online badging system.
Four students to be named Triumph Award recipients for achieving high academic honors.
In addition, 11 students will be recognized for completing the Martin University School of Education High School Dual Credit Program, a partnership between Martin University and Indianapolis Public Schools’ (IPS) Graduation Academy. They received their high school diploma on May 16 and college credit in Early Childhood Education. Four of these students are registered to attend Martin in the Fall.
"We congratulate all of our graduates who have a unique story of the challenges they overcame to earn a degree that will transform their lives," said Dr. Sean Huddleston, President of Martin University. "They are on a path of economic mobility that will not only improve their lives but also benefit the state of Indiana as a whole. Education is the key to unlocking opportunities for those seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Martin University is committed to providing the resources necessary for their success. Their achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of each student and the support provided by our faculty and staff," said Huddleston.
More on the new and unique Martin University School of Education High School Dual Credit Program:
This program allows high school students to simultaneously earn their high school diploma and college credits, putting them on a path to a bright future. The partnership between Martin University and IPS provides students access to higher education when they may not have considered it an option otherwise. Research has shown that dual enrollment can lead to higher grades in high school and make students more likely to complete an undergraduate degree. Since the Fall semester of 2022, 20 eleventh and twelfth-grade students who attend Grad Academy have earned 108 college and 36 high school credits while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.41. Of the students graduating, 27%, or three, have committed to enrolling full-time at Martin University in the Fall to pursue their undergraduate degrees. 100% of the students surveyed stated that had it not been for Grad Academy and Martin University, they would not have finished high school, let alone enrolled in college courses. These students inspire others to pursue their dreams and take advantage of the opportunities available to them through education.
Founded in 1977, Martin University is Indiana's only Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) of higher education. It is steeped in a history of service, and its mission is to educate and develop diverse workforce-ready students in an inclusive, supportive, and collegiate environment. Martin University's vision is to elevate the landscape while providing transformative opportunities, inclusive support, and service to our communities.
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