BC3 holds 43rd commencement
BUTLER TWP — Wall-to-wall pride filled the fieldhouse at Butler County Community College Tuesday night for the school's 43rd annual commencement.
“I finally achieved my goal ... to graduate college,” said 23-year-old Tasha Michaels of Mercer.
Michaels, one of 464 graduates in the Class of 2011, earned an associate degree in office administration.
Of the graduates, 228 marched in the procession, believed to be a record number for the college.
The grads, who ranged in age from 19 to 73, their family members and friends totaled about 1,700 in attendance.
Many were armed with cameras, flowers and hugs.
A portion of the students, like Erin Miller, 25, of Cranberry Township, said they are prepared to begin their job search.
Miller, who earned a degree in business management, wants to manage a bookstore.
“This is such a relief,” she said. “I'm finally done.”
Other students, like Emily Simunich, 23, of Greenville have already started working. She earned a degree in early childhood education and is employed by Mercer County Head Start.
And others, like Leigh Dillaman, president of the student honor society Phi Theta Kappa, plan to continue their education at four-year colleges.
“Here we are. We did it. We made it,” Dillaman said to her classmates during her address as the chosen student speaker.
In addition to Dillaman, speakers included keynote speaker Gene Collier, who is an author, a playwright, and a columnist for a Pittsburgh newspaper; the distinguished alumni speaker was Ruby Wilkosz, regional director of the Volunteers of America's Working Order Program; and Tina Kelly, who spoke as the new student representative.
“It feels so good to graduate,” said Teresa Sintz of Butler.
At 47, Sintz said a college degree was a longtime goal that she didn't put in motion until her two children left her house to begin their own pursuit of degrees.
“My kids will be watching tonight,” she said.
