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Brianna
Booker, of Bradford, shakes the hand of Edison
State Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Thomas Milligan as she receives
her diploma at the 42nd annual spring commencement ceremony.
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Edison State Honors
Graduates
Nearly 400 Edison State Community College students made that
all-important walk down the aisle and across the stage to receive their
diplomas on Friday, May 12, 2017.
Edison State President Dr. Doreen Larson gave a speech praising the
hard work of the graduates and explained the value of their
accomplishments.
“A diploma or certificate does not fluctuate in value. These pieces of
paper and the degrees, which they represent, hold their value over
time,” said Edison State President Dr. Doreen Larson. “For each college
graduate, this piece of paper represents obstacles that students refuse
to let stand in the way of their success.”
“These documents from your community college grant citizenship as a
college educated adult. They serve as qualifiers for employment,
transfer and other degrees, scholarships, and the many opportunities
only open to college graduates.”
During the ceremony, Miami County Commissioner Mr. Greg Simmons
delivered a keynote address commending the graduates and encouraging
them to keep moving forward.
“You’re independent value is no longer just about you. You’re now
stepping into a realm where the ripple effect of your stone being
thrown into the pond of life will be making a difference not only to
those who you hold in close proximity in your heart but now also those
who you work and live with in your community,” said Simmons.
“Your life does matter,” added Simmons. “You can test it, try it,
improve it, and as you move on to the next part of your journey I think
you’ll find that Edison State Community College has served you well.
Return that by conducting yourself in a way that displays integrity and
honor.”
As the College’s first graduate, Simmons noted that, because of his
start at Edison State, he was able to reach many goals in life.
“Edison State was my launching pad for a higher education and a career.
After serving in the Navy, I married, started a family, and returned to
school. As a result of starting at Edison State, I became a teacher, a
pastor, chief probation officer, police officer, Director of West
Central Juvenile Facility, and presently I’m a Miami County
Commissioner. I consider Edison State the start of everything for me,
and it has been really good to me.”
This year’s graduating class earned over 440 degrees and certificates
in such career and transfer programs as arts, business, communications,
engineering and manufacturing, health sciences, humanities,
mathematics, sciences and social and public services.
The class of 2017 represents 13 Ohio counties, with 41-percent from
Miami County, 22-percent from Shelby County, and 19-percent from Darke
County.
“Success for some means heading right into the workforce, often to a
job they’ve earned through an internship; for others, it means further
study at colleges and universities near and far,” said Scott Burnam,
Vice Provost. “But regardless of what’s next for them, when students
succeed at Edison State, they leave thoroughly prepared to take on
their next great challenge.”
35 of those graduating with an associate degree will also graduate
concurrently from high school. Jenna Barlage, a sophomore at Fort
Loramie High School, will graduate from Edison State this summer.
“As many years as we do it, and as many stories we hear about what
students overcome to graduate from Edison State, we continue to be
amazed at levels of focus, commitment, and endurance that our students
demonstrate to become successful,” added Burnam.
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