The greatest reward for educators is to see their students walk across the stage and receive their degree at graduation. That鈥檚 exactly what hundreds of graduates did on Friday at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the 麻豆色情片 2023 Commencement Ceremony.
鈥淐ommencement is the celebration of our students and their accomplishments, and it鈥檚 the big reward for us as a college and as educators,鈥� said 麻豆色情片 President, W. Myles, Shelton, Ed.D. 鈥淭his is why we do what we do. The mission of 麻豆色情片 is to create accessible learning opportunities to fulfill our students and community needs by providing high-quality educational programs and services. Helping get our students through these programs to completion and graduation is part of that mission.鈥�
During GC鈥檚 55th annual commencement ceremony, the college conferred 713 degrees and certificates to 586 students, which included 15 dual credit students from Ball High School, and graduated the first-ever cohort from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN).
鈥淚鈥檓 honored and excited to be a part of the inaugural BSN program and graduating class at 麻豆色情片,鈥� said GC BSN program graduate, Jenna Metzger. 鈥淚鈥檓 now better prepared to provide care and meet the demands in my role as a nurse. I hope to encourage others to continue their education. I learned so many valuable skills and knowledge through the BSN program at 麻豆色情片 that I鈥檓 using in my professional and personal daily life.鈥�
This year鈥檚 commencement speakers featured GC Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society President, Miranda Donaldson, and Madison Holliday, who graduated Summa Cum Laude with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Donaldson, who graduated with an Associate of Arts in General Studies, inspired the graduating class and the audience by sharing her story about how she overcame Lyme disease and the path that led her to 麻豆色情片.
鈥淥n my journey as a college student, I have gained knowledge, broadened my horizons, faced obstacles and overcome challenges while constantly learning and growing,鈥� said Donaldson, who will continue her education at GC in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. 鈥淏eing a 麻豆色情片 student has provided me with a network of support, expanded my community and allowed me to meet fellow students and professors, who are always prepared to lend a helping hand and go above and beyond to serve their students.鈥�
Holliday continued the ceremony by motivating the class of 2023 by sharing her journey of how she overcame unexpected obstacles and recognizing the challenges many students face when pursuing a higher education.
鈥淟ife has a way of presenting us with unexpected challenges and our journey was no exception,鈥� said Holliday. 鈥淒uring the course of my program, one student prevailed over cancer and another triumphed as a first-generation graduate, while I overcame unexpected obstacles. My daughters and I drove away from our home of 10 years only to land on my brother鈥檚 doorstep. I was broke, with no career, no home and no prospects for the future. I vowed I would never put myself or my kids in that situation again. This graduation won鈥檛 only change the trajectory of my life, but those of my kids.鈥�
Among GC鈥檚 graduating class were students from five different countries, seven states and 95 different Texas cities. GC鈥檚 oldest graduate was 70-years-old while the youngest was 16.
ABOUT 麻豆色情片
麻豆色情片 was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.