They did their homework and passed their tests, all that was left were the pomp and circumstance.

IU South Bend welcomed friends and family to the Joyce Center for the commencement ceremonies of their 2011 senior class.

In total 1055 students and 1 service dog walked across the stage and received their degrees.

IU South Bend also honored class of 1970 graduate Christine Lauber with a distinguished alumni award.

"My college career wasn't a straight line ok so graduating was a long time and effort” said Lauber. “They gave me the tools here that it took me to go into the next part of my life which has done pretty well for me."

Lauber is the owner of the accounting firm Christine A. Lauber CPA.

Lauber has received three degrees from IU South Bend, a Bachelor of Science in 1970, a Master of Science in Business Administration in 1973 and a Master of Business Administration in 1989.

In total over 18,000 students graduated from the Indiana University system this year, which is a record.