The Pinnacle of Higher Education!
Friday evening on August 19, as the rains swept through Geauga County, sixty-three graduates received their diploma from ֱ State University.
The celebration began in mid-afternoon with a Pinning Ceremony for the Bachelor Degree in Nursing graduates. This tradition symbolically represents the dedication and effort the student has put into their academic journey. At this event, each graduate recognizes a special person that has supported them and encouraged them along the way. Their heartfelt thank you is read while that person pins them. This is always a very emotional experience and, as always, there was not a dry eye in the house.
Newly appointed Interim Dean Susan J. Stocker gave a warm welcome to the graduates and their families at both the Pinning and Commencement Ceremonies. Stocker stated, “Commencement is the highlight of the academic year. It’s always such an honor to present the students with their diplomas.”
As keynote speaker, Senator Capri Cafaro began her address by confessing she had a difficult time coming up with what to say to the graduates. Cafaro set a scene in her commencement address entitled, “New Horizons. A Bright Future.” of how she was finally inspired.
Her idea came while hiking on what was supposed to be a moderate trail at Acadia National Park. During her hike, rain and fog rolled in making the hike very challenging. She realized “the only way out is through,” Cafaro said. “That’s when it hit me, that this trail hike was a bit of a metaphor for life” and certainly for the graduates.
She said that the decision to embark on an academic journey inevitably is made more challenging by life’s storms. The graduates stayed the course and made it to the finish line. They became tougher, smarter and better at balancing those challenges. “Now there are new horizons” she said, and when other “storms roll in, they’ll be ready to stay the course.”
For over fifty years, the Geauga Campus has witnessed this journey in each and every student. Many of these are first generation college students and members of our workforce, who often share that if the regional campuses didn’t exist, they may not have had the opportunity to commit to higher education. Once again, we are reminded of the importance of higher education, of how it shapes lives and makes a difference in our communities. We are inspired by each story of dedication and determination.
Congratulations August 2016 Graduates!
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies -Performance
Stephen Robert Michael Bundy ~Magna Cum Laude
Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice Studies
Clayton Richard Smith ~Magna Cum Laude
Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management
Candice D. Bower
John A. Bull ~Summa Cum Laude
John Pieter Fox Sr.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
Alyssa R. Roach ~Cum Laude
Bachelor of Science in Educational Studies
Emma Shahimanyan
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
Brain Michael Yurko
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Hallie Morgan Anderson
Sarah Christina Boeke
Amber Dawn Flanagan
Laura Jeanette Francis
Ryan Thomas Green ~Cum Laude
Thomas Avery Green
Elaine Marie Hill
Andrew John Hospodor III
Amanda Laureen Jackson ~Cum Laude
Nancy Rebecca James
Danielle Nicole Lombardo
Megan Alison Mehicic ~Summa Cum Laude
Brittiany Dawn Ochsner
Brittany T. Paratore
Katherine Therese Phillips
Ashley Marie Pratt
Alexa Teresa Rimback ~Cum Laude
Jenice Teena-Mecole Roberts
Racquel Robinson ~Cum Laude
Jenna Marie Seibert
Janna Jeanne Stefanko ~Cum Laude
Kristen Danielle Valentino
Grace Anna Wyatt
Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies in Computer Technology
Paul Joseph Panehal ~Summa Cum Laude
Timothy Ryan Tupta
Justin Mathew Woodward
Associate of Applied Business in Accounting Technology
Joshua L. Badovick
Associate of Applied Business in Business Management & Related Technology
Jessica Jane Plesz ~with Distinction
Associate of Applied Business in Computer Technology
Cody Edward Eagan
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing –LPN to RN
Laura Louise Bitter
Angela Noel Bonaiuto
Lidiya A. Brown
Jessica Byerly
Gwendolyn Duchaine ~with Distinction
Robin Lynn Isabella
Marquisha Jackson
Candace Q. Jones
Kathy A. McKee
Angela Marie McManus
Dianna Minear
Crystal K. Olinger
Kelsey D. Pratt
Keli R. Ruff
Melinda L. Ruggeri
Alison Elisabeth Scheiman
January Lee Seikel
Tracy L. Suarez
Renee Charlette Wells
Ashli N. Woods
Associate of Arts
Dominique A. Braxton
Dawn R. Hauser
Miles James McDaniel
Associate of Science
Alicia Elizabeth Szemon
Sylvesta T. Turner
Jasmine T. Vaughan