The Plainfield Enterprise - Our Newspapers Work!

In its 50-year history, Oakton Community College has awarded more than 30,000 degrees and certificates to students who are making a difference in their professional careers and communities. Celebrate the accomplishments of five of these alumni at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Oakton's Skokie campus, 7701 N. Lincoln Ave., in Rooms P103-104. The Village of Skokie is the lead sponsor of this event, which is free and open to the public as part of Oakton's golden anniversary celebration.

The five honorees are: Theresa Bashiri-Remetio, senior financial analyst at U.S. Cellular and former Oakton trustee (2009, Morton Grove); Jhay Spottswood, attorney focusing on energy and environmental law (2010, Columbus, Ohio); George Lungu, award-winning Oakton professor and foreign relations expert (1990, Des Plaines); Cathy Bromberg, IBM software asset management licensing and compliance manager (retired) and youth mentor (1984, Mundelein); and Maryam Coskum, internationally published police researcher and data analyst (2011, Mesa, Arizona).

"For five decades Oakton has served as a successful launching point for students as they start or further their career or continue their education," noted Katherine Sawyer, chief advancement officer. "The ripple effects of the Oakton experience are often immense and immeasurable but can be told through the stories of our alumni. The college community is excited to celebrate the accomplishments of these five outstanding individuals who have excelled professionally and provided inspirational service to the community at this milestone event. The celebration will provide an excellent opportunity for the community and alumni to remember the past, celebrate the present and aspire to an even more promising future."

Those interested in attending the ceremony and reception that follow can RSVP at oakton.edu/alumni.

Oakton launched its 50th anniversary on the college's Founders Day on June 25, 2019 and will continue to hold events for the college and community through June 2020. Visit http://www.oakton.edu/50 for additional information.