BC3 commencement celebrates closing of one chapter, opening of another
BUTLER TWP — The 488 students in Butler County Community College’s graduating class for the spring 2026 semester — the most since 2022 — range in age from 17 to 63.
Some are transferring their credits to other schools. Some are going into the workforce. Maybe, some are charting their own path to build their future, school officials remarked during speeches. Either way, they’ve succeeded at one life chapter and are moving on to the next.
“Some of you are earning your first degree. Some your second. Some even your third,” BC3 president Megan Coval said. “And many of you have balanced school with jobs, children, military service, caregiving responsibility and countless other commitments.”
Inside a packed BC3 Field House, students making up the college’s 58th commencement received their diplomas during a lively ceremony Wednesday, May 13.
The commencement was meant to be joyful. Brass instruments filled the air with music while the long line of students filled the Field House. A national anthem rendition by Deanna Golden was well received. Meanwhile, speakers, trustees and distinguished guests left a chair open for the late Glenn T. Miller, a trustee and alumnus described as a “steadfast champion” of the college and believer in BC3’s power to change lives.
Throughout the commencement, parents and grandparents stood up to take photos of their loved ones, draped in caps and gowns, being presented their long-awaited certificate of graduation. Friends stood up to shout and cheer for those they were supporting, despite being told to refrain from applauding until the end. Babies and young children cried and ran around as their parents officially achieved a life milestone.
“Friends and family are also to be commended for the roles that you have played in helping our graduates to reach their goals,” said Joe Kubit, BC3’s board of trustees chairman.
School officials took time to celebrate “60 years of Pioneers” — the college’s 60th anniversary of operation. They touted access to affordable education, with a vast majority of students graduating debt-free.
They also took time to acknowledge what a college degree means for so many of the hardworking students trying to make a good life for themselves.
“I recall 42 years ago, standing at commencement over at Founders Hall, waiting for my name to be called to receive my degree,” Kubit said. “Like the graduates, my life had been shaped by the amazing people that comprised this fine institution, where students can get a great start on their postsecondary education or where underemployed workers can be retrained for future success.”
Degrees awarded included those in subjects such as agriculture, dentistry, economics, education engineering, journalism, medicine, music, nursing philosophy, public administration, social work, veterinary science and more.
“Graduates, today is your day. It represents a culmination of your hard work and perseverance and determination. This is a moment you’ve earned, and no one can take that away from you,” professor Aaron Schlott said. “Think about your time here at BC3. There may have been mornings where getting out of bed for class felt impossible or evenings where assignments piled up higher than you can handle. Days where work, family and school all collided and you wondered if you could keep going.”
“And yet, you did,” Schlott emphasized.
Gregg Behr, the keynote speaker, pointed to the brilliance of Mr. Rogers and his desire to do good in this world to inspire students moving forward. Central to Fred Rogers’ heart, Behr said, were people just like the graduating students.
Pride in personal growth was a big theme at Wednesday’s commencement ceremony.
“True pride is about recognizing your own growth,” said Taylor Voloch, a graduating student and one of the commencement speakers. “It’s about being able to look at what you’ve been through, what you’ve overcome and saying, ‘I did that.’”
That hard work and determination to overcome life’s struggles, officials said, will help graduating students take on whatever they face next.
“Graduates, you are ready to be nurses, to be teachers, to be entrepreneurs, business leaders, first responders, caregivers, community builders,” Coval said. “You’re ready to transfer. You’re ready to lead. You’re ready to go right into the workforce. You’re ready to do all of those things. I have no doubt you’ll go on to do the big things.”
