Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University has announced the lineup of speakers for its 2017 spring commencement, set for May 13 at Hulman Center.

Baley Halberstadt of Fairbanks, Ind., who is completing her bachelor's degree in communication, and Aaron Schaidle of Peoria, Ill., who is completing his bachelor's degree in nursing, have been selected as student speakers.

Halberstadt has been involved with WISU/WZIS during her four years at State and held numerous positions within the organization, including DJ, assistant promotions director, program director and, most recently, student station manager.

She is a member of the University Honors Program and serves as treasurer of Indiana State's chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society. She has also been named to the dean's list every semester at State.

Halberstadt plans to pursue a career in broadcast radio, either in sales, on-air or in production.

"In high school, I was the commencement speaker as well. Granted, my entire high school had 500 people combined," she said. "I thought it would be nice symmetry and a feather in my cap to be able to do that again. Also, I'm a communication major and I love talking to people, so anytime I get to do something that puts me in front of people I really enjoy it. I'm so happy I was chosen and I'm really looking forward to it."

A graduate of North Central High School, Halberstadt is the daughter of Cathy and the late Kent Halberstadt. She will speak at the 10 a.m. ceremony for graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, Scott College of Business and the Bayh College of Education.

"My speech is a bit of a love letter to my dad, who passed away nine years ago," Halberstadt said. "I wanted to remember him because he is a big part of my life even though he's not here. I really want my message to be about how Indiana State has become a really special place to me with some really special people. I never want to forget the experience."

A second-generation Sycamore, Schaidle participated in the President's Scholars Association and worked with the President's Scholars to plan activities and volunteer events. He also served on the Honors Advisory Committee.

Schaidle plans to become a registered nurse and work on the standard medical-surgical floor of a hospital. He would like to eventually transfer to an intensive care or surgical unit and become a certified registered nurse anesthetist, so he can work in a surgery center with patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders.

"Being a commencement speaker is a nice way to be able to acknowledge all of the good things that my time at Indiana State have brought me," Schaidle said. "It's also a chance for me to thank my parents for all of their support in helping get through college."

A graduate of Peoria Notre Dame High School, Schaidle is the son of Daniel and Catharine Schaidle. He will speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony for graduates of the College of Health and Human Services and College of Technology.

"I want my classmates to be grateful for the opportunity they had at Indiana State to get an education," Schaidle said. "I hope they know that they can make the world a better place because of their experiences at Indiana State."

Students completing graduate degrees will be recognized during the ceremony for their program's affiliated college. Tickets are not be required to attend commencement. For those unable to attend, both ceremonies will be streamed live on Indiana State's website, www.indstate.edu.

Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Spring-Commencement-2017/Selected-Images-2017/i-dWFSdn4/0/M/March%2030%2C%202017%20Baley%20Halberstadt%204473-M.jpg - Baley Halberstadt

Photo: https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Headshot-Proofs/Miscellaneous-Portrat-Proofs/Spring-Commencement-2017/Selected-Images-2017/i-JTwLTNn/0/XL/March%2030%2C%202017%20Aaron%20Schaidle%204188-XL.jpg - Aaron Schaidle

Media contact: Betsy Simon, assistant director of media relations, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-7972, betsy.simon@indstate.edu