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As a first-generation college student, Mitzy Grana Diaz of Hartford never expected to stand at a podium and “feel genuinely sad about leaving.”

“As the first person in my family to graduate high school, every step of this journey has been completely undiscovered territory for me. I had no road map to follow, so I created my own,” Grana Diaz told SMC’s Outstanding Graduate Reception May 8 in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

“Education is truly for everyone regardless of age, gender or race, which could be the most profound lesson SMC taught me,” she said. “There is no such thing as perfect timing. This realization put me at ease when I felt like I was the last one to the finish line of life. Some days I looked around and wondered if I was behind, if I had missed my window. But SMC showed me that the only timeline that matters is your own. I know now that I will reach my goals at a time that’s right for me.

“Two valuable strategies got me here,” she said. “The first was time management, balancing my academics with Honors Program and the Environmental Research Group required organization and discipline. The second was surrounding myself with ambitious, like-minded people who challenged me intellectually.”

“One of the most incredible opportunities SMC provided was flying to New Orleans to attend the March 2024 American Chemical Society meeting, where I was able to present research findings (on lead absorption with chamomile) with Dr. Doug Schauer’s guidance and help.

“Professors saw potential in me when I didn’t see it myself. They taught me to think critically, how to ask questions and how to believe in my own capabilities. Thank you, SMC, for being a place I didn’t know I needed.”

President Dr. Joe Odenwald introduced the Phi Theta Kappa and Honors Program member graduating in general studies and transferring to Western Michigan University to major in freshwater science and sustainability.

She earned the Edward A. Guse Scholarship, a Grady Scholarship, a Presidential Scholarship, an Honors Program Scholarship and a STEM scholarship.

Dean of the School of Nursing Dr. Melissa Kennedy and Dean of the School of Business and Advanced Technology Dr. Karen Reilly read honor graduates’ messages and presented certificates and portfolios.

Manager of Development and Executive Director of the SMC Foundation Board Emily Schrock reported, “In the past year alone, more than 1,000 students achieved scholarships totaling more than $1 million.

Tom Ellspermann, Terry Groth, Tom Jerdon and Becky Moore represented the 23-member foundation board.

“Every gift, whether it be a named endowment or an unrestricted donation, contributes to our mission of delivering Knowledge for All,” Schrock said. “These gifts empower our students, who will soon benefit every corner of our community. As our students prepare to graduate and take their next steps, whether it is continuing their education or going straight into the workforce, we know that they are poised to make meaningful contributions to our community and the world.

“Their time at SMC equipped them not only with knowledge and skills, but with the drive to lead, to innovate and to uplift others. We hope that, inspired by those who supported them, they will then choose to pay it forward, empowering future students to follow their path.

“Education is truly a passport to lasting change,” Schrock said. “And thanks to the generosity of our donors, their time, talents and resources, we are launching graduates who are ready to make a difference. I, for one, can’t wait to see the positive impact they will create.”

Ninety-one students graduating with honors at SMC’s 58th Commencement were recognized for earning cumulative grade-point averages of 3.5 or higher:

Nathan Andrina, Alexandria Bailey, Phillip Bell, Noe Beltran, Eleanor Bernhardt, Courtney Bily, Kaylee Brooks, Anna Brovont, Jenny Bupp, Bryan Cardoso, Juanita Carretero, Brittney Catanzarite, Michael Cheevers, Riley Coulson, Tyger Crump, Sashenka Cruz, Lucy Custard, Samarah Custard, Courtney Dillenbeck, Jennifer Edmonds, Violett Elkins, Nora Fisher, Ryan Forburger, Maria Garcia, Connie Grabemeyer, Mitzy Grana Diaz, Nathan Hetler, Gatlin Holden, Grant Hoover, Matthew Hopkins and  Matheson Imperio.

Also: Gwendolyn Jackson, Bo Janicki, Anna Johnson, Amanda Jones, Caleb Jones, Cadence Knight, Evan Kniss, Karli Kovalak, Breeanna Kraft, Nathaniel Lakin, Aliya Leavitt, Bernard Lischer, Gabriel Livingston, Ryan Lubieniecki, Blake Majeski, Amber Mark, Casey Marlin, Kately McClish, Caleb McCloughan, Kelsey McClure, Elaine McCormick, Stella McDaniel, Ashleigh McIntyre, Timothy McLauchlin, Connor McPhee, Charley Meier, Samantha Meyer, Amy Montgomery, Brenda Osborn, Gina Patterson and Gavin Pattison.

And: Winona Paul, Micah Peppel, Camila Pereznegron Diaz, Tristen Peugh, Presley Prabhu, Daniel Ramirez-Mata, Rocio Rosas-Andrade, Shirso Sarker, Alex Schlee, Krista Schrader, Peter Scott, Shilah Semple, Luke Sherwood, Hannah Shimanek, Gracyn Shoaf, Riley Sinkler, Ayshia Smith, Kamryn Smith, Trenton Smith, Daijah Strickland, Kyle Thomson, Emily Tuinstra, Lizaldy Valera, Lillian Waggoner, William Walters, Maxwell Weaver, Zachary Weller, Daniel Westlund and Alexa Wilson.