South Suburban College to Host 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony with Keynote Dr. Ngozi Ezike

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– South Suburban College (SSC) will host its 93rd Commencement Ceremony on Facebook Live Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. SSC is committed to honoring the accomplishments of its Class of 2021 through a virtual platform that keeps health and safety a priority and eliminates potential health risks. Student recognitions, cap and gowns and commencement photos, and messages from several key stakeholders will be included in the program. Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), will serve as the College’s 2021 Commencement Speaker.

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Ngozi Ezike as our Keynote Speaker,” said Dr. Lynette Stokes, South Suburban College President. “Dr. Ezike is a trailblazer who has been a thoughtful leader for our State while navigating challenging issues. We look forward to her commencement message for our future leaders.”
Dr. Ngozi Ezike is the first Black woman appointed to lead the IDPH, a 143-year old state agency. Dr. Ezike is a board-certified internist and pediatrician who previously worked for the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), where she served for more than 15 years. She also was medical director at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. Dr. Ezike is a nationally recognized expert in the area of healthcare within the juvenile detention and justice systems. A graduate of Harvard University and the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, she is a Certified Correctional Health Professional and Diplomate of both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics.

Frank M. Zuccarelli will also provide his annual words of congratulations and advice to his future colleagues. “As an alumnus of South Suburban College and Chairman of the Board for over 40 years, Commencement is still my favorite occasion of the year. While I miss the opportunity to present diplomas in person to our graduates, I am proud that we are once again able to provide a fun and proper send-off, virtually. The Class of 2021 certainly deserves it!”

This year, South Suburban College will award over 500 degrees and certificates to graduating students. SSC completed a successful virtual commencement in 2020 with over 20,000 views on social media. Follow SouthSuburbanCollege on Facebook, or visit ssc.edu for more information.