The school year is finally starting to wind down.  Most of the campus is worrying about where they will live next year, and what classes they will take. On the other hand, the seniors here at Monmouth College are worrying about what to do after college.  With the end of college comes graduation and the Commencement ceremony.  Recently, Monmouth College announced that the person to lead the 2008 Commencement exercises will be Illinois Senator Mattie Hunter.

Democratic Senator Mattie Hunter is a 1976 graduate from Monmouth College.  After getting her degree in government from MC, Senator Hunter went on to get her Master’s degree in Sociology from Jackson State University in Mississippi. Senator Hunter also has a certificate in business administration from the University of Illinois- Chicago’s School of Entrepreneurship. 

In 2003, Hunter decided to go into politics and began serving in the Illinois State Legislature.  She serves as the chairperson of the Appropriations III Committee and is a member of numerous other committees.  She has been involved in passing bills that deal with the banning of mercury fever thermometers and treating obesity, and she assists the Illinois Department of Health in this area.  She is also very dedicated to encouraging youth to get involved and help out in their communities. 

President Mauri Ditzler said that when the College looks for a Commencement speaker, they look for a speaker who is not offensive, and who is a good role model for the graduating students.  “She [Hunter] has taken a Monmouth College education and has accomplished great things,” Ditzler remarked. When asked about what he thought Senator Hunter would be able to offer the graduating seniors  of Monmouth College in her speech, he said, “I don’t know for sure, but even though she is not the most famous speaker we have had, she has worked for causes commonly ignored.  I think she will challenge us to think about what we can do for the less fortunate.” 

President Ditzler said that he is looking forward to this year’s graduation, and he is already beginning to look to next year’s list of candidates for Commencement.

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