Graduates reflect on future dreams at Commencement

KOKOMO, Ind. - All her life, Susan Yoe knew her grandfather expected her to earn a college degree.

As she graduated from Indiana University Kokomo on Tuesday (May 13), she felt satisfaction in achieving his dream - even though he's no longer with her.

"He had a full ride to college but gave it up to go to work so his siblings could go to college," said Yoe, who earned a degree in elementary education. "This is what he wanted of me, and how I can make him proud."

She moved to Kokomo from Atlanta, Georgia, to attend IU Kokomo. Now that she's completed her degree, she's moving to husband's home in Arizona, where she will teach in a Navajo Nation primary school life skills classroom.

"It's certainly an underfunded community, but above all else it's a beautiful community," she said. "Now I have the privilege of bringing my degree to that community."

Yoe was one of more than 400 graduates honored at Commencement, ready to move forward and reach for their goals.

For Taylor Yoder, that means preparing a portfolio of tattoo artwork, so he can use his new media, art, and technology (NMAT) degree to become a tattoo artist. He originally planned to be a high school teacher, but determined he wanted to use his artistic talents in a different way.

"I've really gone on a journey of finding myself and figuring out who I wanted to be in this world," said Yoder, from Kokomo. "I felt like this was more where I was meant to be. It's what made me happy. I found my time here enjoyable."

Completing her degree in general studies allows Katie Roberson, Fort Wayne, to make a career change from restaurant work. She plans to further her education with a master's degree in social work, to help women and children in homeless or domestic violence shelters.

"Earning a degree means I can find a job that's going to make me happy in the long run, and I can help provide for my household," she said. "I'm excited to finally start something I want to do."

Her academic advisor, Tracey Sala, and her success coach, Carole Ogle, played an invaluable role in her graduation.

"They have pushed me through getting into my classes and supported me when I wanted to stop," she said. "Without their support this would have been a lot harder."

Professors played a key role for Cody Frazier, as he earned business degrees in management and marketing.

"They are very engaged with the students, and it's really easy to get one-on-one help," the Kokomo resident said. His marketing professor, Elizabeth Clayton, was especially supportive.

"I was in her class freshman year, and she helped me out then, and was still helping me this year," he said.

Frazier plans to complete his current temporary job this summer before transitioning into a marketing job, preferably in Kokomo.

Wendell DeMyers's future will take him further away, as he plans to move overseas to play professional basketball, now that he's earned his degree in general studies.

He said the best part of his IU Kokomo experience was the connections he made with friends on and off the basketball court, as well as his teachers.

"I really grew a lot in my relationships," said DeMyers, from Indianapolis.

Relationships also played a key role in Cheryl Dashiell's experience earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

"Clinicals with my cohort were really fun," said Dashiell, from Russiaville. "Doing hands-on learning has been the best part."

Her goal is to work at IU Health Hospital. She's proud to have graduated.

"It's surreal because I'm a first-generation graduate in my biological family," she said. "It was important to me to graduate, and to earn a nursing degree."

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