FALL COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION
Students celebrated Fall Commencement after earning their diplomas despite difficult challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic .
More than students were eligible to graduate
with almost 500 of those attending two ceremonies .
• Among the graduates was Katelyn Vollmer who earned her Associate in Science degree in Social and Human Services with a specialization in Domestic Violence .
• “ We all went through the pandemic , I have had my bumps in the road , but I got there . I didn ’ t lose focus and the more hurdles that came up , the more I wanted to prove that I could do it ,” said Vollmer .
• “ I am the first of my parent ’ s children to graduate . I have worked so hard to get here , finally I am seeing all of that hard work pay off .
• EFSC President Dr . Jim Richey lauded the graduates , saying they ran a gauntlet of challenges caused by the pandemic that were unmatched in the college ’ s history .
• “ You have been through tremendous disruption , change and uncertainty caused by the pandemic . Some of you may have lost jobs , experienced financial problems and even faced sickness to yourselves as well as your family and friends ,” said Richey .
• “ But through it all you never wavered , never lost sight of your goals , never surrendered your dream of a bright future filled with promise and opportunity . Take a moment and let that sink in . You did not give up . You never gave up .
• “ I cannot begin to say how proud I am of you , and how inspired I am , truly inspired , by your strength of character and strong belief in yourselves . In you I see resilience , fortitude and courage in a grand way .”
• Also graduating were Kashana Kollie and Patrice Floyd , friends from Tampa who said they got through their EFSC journey by supporting each other .
• “ I did not get to walk at my high school graduation so this means everything to me . I am the oldest of eight children and this is just amazing that my parents get to watch me get my degree today , my children also get to watch me . I am elated ,” said Kollie , who earned an Associate Degree and is moving on to EFSC ’ s Organizational Management Bachelor ’ s of Applied Science program .
• “ It has been hard , but I am so excited to be here today and now I have accomplished this goal ,” said Floyd , who earned a Bachelor ’ s in Organizational Management . “ My mom has passed away and it is something she always wanted for me and honestly something I have wanted for myself for a very long time .”
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