Butler County Community College had its largest group of marching graduates at its ceremony Wednesday.

Friends and family packed into the Field House, where around 320 graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas. In total, the Class of 2019 had 599 graduates.

“That is easily the largest number of graduates this century for BC3,” said Nick Neupauer, president of the college.

As speaker after speaker stepped to the podium, a buzz in the crowd grew. Children and parents fussed, but for different reasons.

But the flock of blue-gowned graduates remained silent, their heads turned toward the stage and their eyes focused.

The graduates appeared to devour every word, especially those of distinguished alumna Sandra Ihlenfeld, who now works as the executive director of the Butler YMCA.

Ihlenfeld said she had a tough childhood that broke her confidence, but seeking higher education changed things for her.

“I was raised hearing that you will never be anything,” Ihlenfeld said. “I felt empowered each time I stood in my cap and gown.”

BC3 was the first step for her. She later got her bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock University, then her master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ihlenfeld said she hoped the students could gain the same confidence she felt when she graduated. She asked them to stop and appreciate their achievement and the people who helped them reach that goal.

“Today is your day. Smile and remember your hard work,” Ihlenfeld said. “Keep believing in yourself. You will make Butler proud. Flap your wings and fly.”

With their time at BC3 behind them, many of the students spoke highly of the institution without.

“It's been a really amazing experience,” said Kylie Negley. “I made a lot of friends and a lot of memories.”

Negley graduates with an associate degree in social work. She was accepted into the honors program at California University of Pennsylvania for the fall to pursue her bachelor's degree.

Negley said seeing the sea of graduates who prepared in Founder's Hall was overwhelming and surprising.

“Whenever I went to school, I didn't realize it because class sizes are so small,” she said. “Since it's a community college, I think it's a huge accomplishment.”

Amber Durban of Slippery Rock received her associate degree in business administration.

Durban said she graduated high school in 1995. She tried to earn her degree at Slippery Rock University, but she was three years in and feeling like it could take too long. She transferred to BC3 and with transferred credits earned the degree in one.

Durban said she felt a little more comfortable attending BC3 too.

“It was nice to have people at BC3 that were my age or older,” she said. “At SR I felt like I was the only one.”

Durban said she felt like she was part of something special and diverse in graduating with this year's class.

Graduate Amara Darcy of Butler said she was acclimated in high school to large class sizes, because at Butler High School that's to be expected.

“Coming from Butler my graduation size was around 600, but it's still cool to be part of one of the biggest here,” she said.

For some, Wednesday was the last stop before starting their careers.

Kim Geyer, a Butler County commissioner and BC3 graduate, said the county is proud to welcome or reintroduce the next generation of BC3 graduates to the workforce.

“It's much more than an education,” Geyer said. “This day is a new journey that begins and a new pathway that is forged.”