JJC Celebrates 678 Graduates at 110th Commencement Ceremony

Joliet Junior College (JJC) proudly celebrated its 110th annual commencement ceremony, recognizing 678 graduates as they marked a major milestone in their academic journeys.

During the ceremony, JJC President Dr. Clyne Namuo reflected on JJC's role in founding the community college movement in 1901, which now serves millions of students nationwide. As the College marks its 125th anniversary, he reminded graduates of their connection to that legacy and their role in shaping what comes next.

"You, the class of 2026, stand as the living connection between that bold beginning and the future we are creating," said Namuo.

Student speaker Alexander Ogugua, an active international student-leader who was involved in Business Club, Latinos Unidos, Debate and Rhetoric Club, chamber singers and Phi Theta Kappa, delivered an inspiring message focused on growth, resilience and embracing opportunity.

Ogugua will graduate with an Associate in Arts and plans to continue his studies in finance and real estate at DePaul University.

"If there's one thing I would leave you with, it's this: stop trying to prove yourself. Start building yourself," Ogugua said. "Use what's in front of you. Take the opportunities, even the uncomfortable ones. Because growth doesn't come from where you want to be. It comes from what you choose to do today."

Meghan Callan, JJC's 2026 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year, addressed graduates as the faculty speaker, encouraging them to embrace change and view their journeys as ongoing works in progress.

"Graduates, tonight is not the unveiling of a finished masterpiece," Callan said. "It is the moment you realize you are still creating one. Your life will evolve. You will change paths. You will discover strengths you didn't know you had. That is not failure. That is growth."

The ceremony also highlighted student leadership and service. Leslie Valerio, a fall 2025 graduate, received the Student Service Recognition Award for her contributions to campus and the broader community. Valerio will continue her education at the University of IllinoisUrbana-Champaign to study architecture.

As the College marks 125 years of expanding access and opportunity, the class of 2026 embodies both its proud history and its forward momentum, stepping confidently into what comes next as leaders, innovators and changemakers.

Ceremony Photos

View photos and video clips from the 2025 commencement ceremony on Flickr. Additional content is available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Ceremony Recording

Want to relive the moment again and again? View a recording of the ceremony from start to finish. The full 2026 ceremony program is also available on the JJC Commencement website.