From GEDs to master’s degrees, 32 students will be honored at the May 8 commencement ceremony of Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, University of Alaska Anchorage. Commencement will be held at Mariner Theatre at 7 p.m.
Michael Carey will be the evening’s keynote speaker. For more than 30 years, Carey has been a well-known writer and journalist for the Anchorage Daily News and “helped shape the publication’s opinion on political, social and community matters,” said a KBC press release. Now an editorialist emeritus for the paper, Carey continues to write for ADN. He also is a frequent commentator on statewide and national media outlets.
In 2005, in recognition of his demonstrated, life-long commitment to Alaska history and political journalism in the state, UAA awarded Carey an honorary Doctorate of Law degree. In 2011, he was recognized by the UA Board of Regents with the Meritorious Service Award for his significant public and volunteer services to Alaska.
Receiving an associate of arts degree, Nina Reutov will be KBC’s commencement student speaker.
This isn’t Reutov’s first achievement. Having grown up in Kachemak Selo, Reutov graduated from Homer High School in 2010 and then completed a KBC course of study to become a certified nurse assistant. Working as a private care provider part-time, she has continued her studies at KBC.
The biggest challenge has been “juggling school and work. When we have time off, I need to be using that time wisely,” said Reutov.
Following commencement, Reutov said she plans to give herself a break from studying. Interested in business management, she is looking for an opportunity to work for a small business and get an inside look at how management on that scale is done.
Her advice to other students?
“Take small steps,” said Reutov. “And really give yourself time to celebrate your small achievements. Every little one.”
Patricia Jacobson, chair of the University Board of Regents, and UAA Chancellor Thomas Case will confer degrees on the following students:
Kenai Peninsula College
Associate of Arts Degree
Zane Denham;
Edrei Evarts;
Cody Gaines ;
Kaylie Kimberlin;
Aaron Lewis;
Marina Polushkin;
Nina Reutov;
Ben Tyrer
Associate of Applied
Sciences, Human Services
Scot Wheat
UAA Master of Arts
in Teaching
Billeen Carlson
UAA Master of Education, Educational Leadership
Heather Pancratz
UAS Master of Education,
Special Education
Galyna Smith
Students receiving their GED high school equivalency diplomas include:
Rocky Berg
Shane Corbell
Chayla Dawson
Gabriel Evans
Ryan Flannigan
Harmony Hillburn
Jeremiah Inama
Carly Jones
Sean Lowe
Demetria Lugo-Sena
Rylee Millspaugh
Michael Munalem
Vanessa Neal
Abigail Petrosius
Gloria Ramirez
Samuel Reece
Neonila Reutov
Cristina Reutov
Rebekah Ruzicka
Tanner Wagley
As part of the commencement ceremony, Jacobson, Case and KPC Director Gary Turner will present Carol Swartz, KBC campus director, with the 2013 UA-UAA Meritorious Service Award in recognition of her commitment and service to the University and Homer for 27 years. (See related story, page 3.)
The public is welcome to attend to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of these graduates.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
