Moraine Valley alum receives statewide award

Moraine Valley Community College alumnus Jason Knade was a co-recipient of the 2024 Illinois Community College Trustees Association Distinguished Alumnus Award, which recognizes an alumnus who has exhibited outstanding success and distinction in their chosen field. Additionally, the recipient must have shown service that is beneficial to society and supported community college education.

Knade is a successful filmmaker who has worked worldwide on hundreds of films, music videos, commercials and documentaries.

He primarily works as a director but also has experience in writing, producing and cinematography. He currently is the creative director of Behold and is a self-employed director and cinematographer who also works with other production companies.

He has filmed such noteworthy people as the pope, a sitting president, famous actors, members of Congress, and Hall of Fame athletes. Knade has done work for brands like Nike, Canon, Nordstrom and Maker’s Mark. He has won prestigious awards, including two Emmys, and was nominated for three additional Emmys. He also received Best Film, Best Feature, Best Music Video and Best Short nominations and awards at film festivals around the world.

Knade credits Moraine Valley’s diversity with impacting his work. He has created films that celebrate underrepresented communities and aspire to create social change. His debut film, “Cyclicity,” was nominated for the Iris Prize, the biggest LGBTQ prize (in terms of award money) in the world. His film “Hogtown” won Best Film at the International Black Film Festival and other competitions and was named a Top 10 Film of the Year by The New York Times.

In addition to filmmaking, Knade has taught communications and film classes at Moraine Valley and other colleges.

Porter Place promotes Chavers to executive director

Laporsha Chavers has been promoted to executive director Porter Place, a memory care community in Tinley Park. Chavers will oversee all care, operations and programming.

She previously was associate executive director at the same community. Chavers also served as associate executive director for Grace Point Place in Oak Lawn.

New Lenox’s Szubryt conducting research

New Lenox’s Bradley Szubryt is participating in the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience at Carthage College. Szubryt is conducting research into The Role of Incompleteness and Disgust in Predicting OCD Symptoms: An Induction Study.

Millikin University spring graduates list

Country Club Hills: Donovon Anderson; Frankfort: Maddy Regan; Lockport: Taylor Young; New Lenox: Aidan Hart; Oak Forest: Kacey Mitchell

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