Northwest State Community College celebrated the 2014 graduating class at its forty-fourth Commencement Ceremony today. The ceremony recognized 405 graduates from the divisions of Allied Health & Public Services, Arts & Sciences, Business Technologies, Nursing and Math, Science & Engineering Technologies.
Tom Stuckey, NSCC president, congratulated the graduates on their achievements and encouraged them to look ahead. “You have a new opportunity and that is to share, that is to give back. Service to others is indeed success.”
Kevin Becker of Wauseon, Ohio, was the student speaker. He received an Associate of Applied Business Degree in Business Management and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Becker acknowledged the many paths the graduates could take forward, including beginning their careers or continuing their education. No matter the chosen path, he asked his fellow graduates to realize their full potential and not to sell themselves short. “Hard work, determination, study and an unrelenting will not to give up will get you there,” Becker said.
Keynote speaker for this year’s commencement ceremony was Christina Keller, president of CK Technologies. She likened the skills and resources the graduates to have an energy source that can propel them forward. “You have the momentum of the world behind you, so aim high. Don’t be afraid if you fail along the way,” said Keller. “Follow your own path. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it will ultimately lead you where you want to go.”
Following the recognition of the graduates, Dr. Stuckey announced Bethany Stork as the recipient of the President’s Outstanding Student Award. This award is given to a student who has gone above and beyond, both on campus and in the classroom.
Stork resides in Defiance, Ohio, and graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. While attending classes at Northwest State, she received the Student Leadership Award from the Northwest Ohio Nurses Association, served as the president of Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society and received the Peer Award from the NSCC Nursing Division. Stork also is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.