While sheepskin has been replaced by paper diplomas and degrees, a new group of students now have something to show for the investment they've made in their education.
More than 100 graduates from 2005 programs at the Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College walked across the Mariner Theatre stage last week to receive their degrees, General Equivalency Diplomas (GED) and other certificates.
University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton and Chancellor Elaine Maimon joined campus Director Carol Swartz and other officials participating in the ceremony.
Before diplomas and student awards were handed out, Maimon told the graduates and recipients to keep learning and to help each other learn.
"Become involved in our community and become important to the common good," Maimon said in a speech to the audience. "Keep learning, help others — make us proud."
Patty Shroy graduated magna cum laude with an associate's degree in human services.
She was the evening's student speaker and gave a well-received speech and quoted His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama believed education is like an instrument that can be used constructively depending on the user, Shroy said. If an education is combined with a good heart and sense of commitment, then it will be a constructive one.
"We are in troubled times and I believe a society that holds education in high regard is one that has a high regard for humanity," Shroy said. "I am encouraged about our future when I can stand with all of you today."
Shroy was one of 30 students who received an associate's degree this year; 30 others earned professional certificates, and two received bachelor's degrees.
Fifty-one students earned GEDs through the Adult Basic Education Program at Kachemak Bay Campus. Close to a dozen of them participated in the graduation ceremony on Wednesday. Among them was Nikolaevsk resident Patty Basargin.
Basargin has been working for years on her GED. She is the mother of eight grown children. Basargin had encouraged her children to finish high school, and, for some, college. In turn, they encouraged her to go back to school, she said.
"They said, 'Mom, now it's your turn to walk up there and get your diploma,'" she said.
Basargin also hoped getting a GED will help her get a better job.
"I couldn't get a good job in Homer because I didn't have a good education," she said.
Basargin plans to continue university-level classes at Kenai Peninsula College.
Another former Nikolaevsk resident, Teresa Fefelov, wanted to further her education after two of her children went to college. With most of her children grown, Fefelov said the time was right to go for her GED.
"It's a long, cold winter, and you have to do something to stay busy. That's what I chose to do," Fefelov said. "It was fun."
Fefelov moved with her family to Homer from Nikolaevsk eight years ago. Living in town made it easier to attend school. She particularly enjoyed history and science, she said.
Terry Elliott also received a GED last week, saying later that she had wanted to get her high school education earlier but was unable to.
Now, as the mother of a 6-month-old child, Elliott has other responsibilities to juggle.
Getting an education was important, though, and she was able to receive her diploma after the college's Family Learning Center helped watch her child while she attended classes.
Small Business Management Certificate:
Joseph Reinhart, Tammany C. Walters
Associate of Arts
Billeen Carlson, cum laude, Lauren Cannon, Maria Martushev, Daphane C. Maxon, Jerry Olt, Anna Marie Roedl, cum laude, Katie Marie Schollenberg, Anisia White
Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
Tammy L. Colton, Sharlene Marie Nelson
Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration
James Lee Morris, Denise Thompson
Associate of Applied Science in Human Services
Rhonda R. Blackwell, Jessica Anna Davis, magna cum laude, Robin Camille Faulk, cum laude, Patricia Shroy, magna cum laude
Associate Degree in Nursing from Weber State University
Laura L. Asbell, Sheila Burgess, Peggy J. Frazier, Laura L. Gillis, Stephen Hughes, Ruth Hunting, Wendy McConnell, Mark Turner, Katie Watson, Valen M. Wedler, Dana Whittaker, Lora Wilke
Associate of Applied Science in Petroleum Technology
Flegont Reutov
Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology
Sandra L. Glidden
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Joan Marie Stempniak, Marlaina R. Thiel
General Education Diploma
Jessica Adame, Dana Allen, Patty Basargin, Joshua Blanchard, Jayne Buechner, Jason Butler, Jessica Clawson, Alexis Dodge, Joseph Garcia, Amanda Garrick, Jackie Garrick, Melina Glover, Garrett Gonzales, Chris Landrus, Claire Mullen, Trevor Mumma, Jeremy Pawcio, Elaina Ryder, Ronda Ryder, Lorenda Seifert, Devon Seward, Bobby Smith, Paul Suter, Shane Tesar, Amanda Thompson, Nick Thurmond, Tyler Torrence, Samuel Turner, Shawn VanSandt, Jennifer Walters, Casey Waters, Samuel Wise
Certified Nursing Assistant State of Ak Certification
Ksenia D. Basargin, Sara L. Brooks, Rebekah Burkhardt, Emily L. Chalup, Peggy D. Christian, Cathy J. Flowers, Starla J. Franklin, Melissa L. Gagnon, Amy L. Gamboa, Julia S. Herreid, Nancy A. Holman, Thita V. Hudson, Jessica R. James, Cheryl A. Jones, Angie C. Kalugin, Brenda L. Kay, Diane J. Keeley, Georgia L. Mario, Heather R. McHenry, Ashli H. Neese, Amy K. Rattenbury, Marilyn Robertson, Amanda J. Thompson, John S. Willis, Jody F. Yakanak, Sonja D. Young
Chris Eshleman can be reached at chris.eshleman@homernews.com.
Graduates
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