Aug. 24 -- Augustana College recently recognized 555 students during its 165th commencement ceremony.
The commencement address was presented by U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford. The college's featured student speaker was psychology student Ocean Keola Akau.
Local students who participated in the commencement ceremony include:
* Fulton: Kylie Collachia, elementary education; Jakob North, kinesiology
* Morrison: Charley Williams, biology
* Mount Morris: Isabella Olalde, business administration, marketing and communication studies; Adam Thorsen, business administration, finance and accounting
* Oregon: Adam Glendenning, business administration, management and business administration, finance
* Prophetstown: Dawson Haggard, business administration, management
* Rochelle: Afi Gati, biochemistry and public health
* Rock Falls: Antonio Gassman, music performance, piano; Emma Watts, theater performance and film
* Sterling: Evan Adami, business administration, finance and accounting; Jaycee Bythewood, geology; Carter Kenney, public health; Olivia Schwingle, psychology; Amy Zeigler, mathematics and English