Caleb Rybolt '19
Each year one student from Illinois College’s graduating class is named valedictorian in recognition of their pursuit of academic excellence.
At the College’s 185th Commencement, Caleb Rybolt ’19 was that student for the Class of 2019. Not only did he excel in the classroom, earning the highest possible 4.0 grade point average, Caleb also had a wide range of experiences that have prepared him for his next four years. This fall, Caleb will begin studying at SIU School of Dental Medicine in Alton to become a Doctor of Dental Medicine. The biology major participated in track and field, served as a lab assistant for anatomy and went on a BreakAway to Hawaii where he learned about the island’s culture and economy. Reflecting on his time at Illinois College, Caleb says the biggest takeaways are the lifelong friendships he made and the experiences that added to his love of learning. He believes he is well prepared for his graduate studies.
“IC provided me with an education that allowed me to see the big picture. I took a wide variety of classes that were all able to contribute to me becoming a better learner in unique ways. From biology to art, I was able to take something out of each class that I will be able to apply to my future.”