In their words: Mark Murdoch reflects on graduating during the coronavirus pandemic

Mark Murdoch (left) at the County Line Orchard in Indiana

This is the third story in a four-part series in which students set to graduate in May reflect on how their final semester at Illinois State University has been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Mark Murdoch is earning a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science. He has accepted a job at Pinnacle Actuarial Resources in Bloomington.

Commencement update

A view of the filled Redbird Arena from high in the stands at Commencement

The disruption of the spring semester by the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has also impacted one of Illinois State University’s most cherished traditions: Spring commencement.

Deaf and hard of hearing graduates ready to give back

Woman sitting behind a teacher's desk

Brenda Nedved, Haley Drucker, and Mark Reppen are the deaf and hard of hearing program’s only graduates this December. The three students are all members of the deaf community. While Nedved grew up as a child of deaf adults, Drucker and Reppen were born deaf.