ARCHBOLD, OHIO – Northwest State Community College celebrated the 2016 graduating class at its forty-sixth Commencement Ceremony this past weekend. The ceremony recognized 389 graduates who completed an Associate degree or certificate program with the College.
Dr. Thomas Stuckey, NSCC president, congratulated the graduates on their achievements by stating “by your example, you are encouraging your children, grandchildren and friends to graduate from college.” He also noted the importance of college as the graduates enter the next chapter in their lives. “Embrace life’s challenges, they often create our strength. As you go forth, hold your head high, for you are on the path to success,” said Stuckey.
Butch Blankenship was the student speaker. He relayed his experience, graduating from Four County with a job in tow, but reached a point where education became a must. Blankenship earned an Associate of Applied Business in Business Management degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He remarked, “Northwest State is a treasure.
You would be hard-pressed to find a company in northwest Ohio that does not have someone on staff that has taken classes here or proudly holds a degree.”
Keynote speaker for this year’s commencement ceremony was William Martin, president / CFO of Spangler Candy Company. Martin noted the graduates are “the smart ones,” and touched upon the employment crisis in our region. “The solution (to the skills gap) is right here at Northwest State, and it has been for decades,” noted Martin. He closed by saying “God created all of you with a purpose in mind. Get out there and find your purpose. Serve your community, be a leader. Northwest Ohio needs you, and you are well-prepared.”
Following the recognition of the graduates, Dr. Stuckey announced Michael Weber as the recipient of the President’s Outstanding Student Award. Weber graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and was involved in numerous campus activities. Weber resides in Napoleon and is currently an EMT with the Ridgeville Fire Department. He is married, is a proud father of four children, and is actively involved in his community and his church.
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