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Students gather in the Edison Gymnasium during a graduation
walk-through held on Friday, May 6, at the Piqua campus.

Edison Commencement Celebrates Historic Milestones for College

Edison Community College will close out the spring term with its 2011 commencement ceremony this Friday, a day that will celebrate several significant firsts for the school.

This will be the first graduation in 23 years without Dr. Kenneth Yowell, Edison’s former president, who retired in April. Dr. Cristobal Valdez, Edison’s fourth president in its 38-year history, will be on hand for the ceremony.

“For us, as faculty and staff, graduation is an ending and it’s important to remember that we call in commencement because it marks the beginning for our graduates,” said Scott Burnam, registrar. “Edison’s size and personal touch make graduation a very special time for everyone involved. All of us will know many of these students by name because of our ability to deliver personalized, high-touch service in an environment of success.”

The class of 2011 is among the largest that Edison has ever had graduate. More than 500 students will receive degrees and certificates in the allied health fields, business and accounting, and paralegal. This will also be the first year for Edison to graduate students from the newly accredited physical therapy assistant (PTA) program.

“I feel very special and privileged to be a part of the first PTA class at Edison. It has been a long road for many of us and to see the light at the end of the tunnel is exhilarating,” said student Lauren May. “After graduation I plan on sitting for the boards and starting my career as a PTA in an outpatient therapy setting.”

Additionally, another first at Edison this year will be five graduates from Hydro Aluminum in Sidney who are receiving their associate degrees in a program that takes Edison faculty and classes to off-campus sites. The program is funded through Hydro Aluminum with the resources and curriculum being supplied by Edison. All classes but one were taught on location Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

“It was exciting to work with this cohort because they developed a community of learners who supported one another academically both inside and outside the classroom,” said Steven Sykes, professor of manufacturing and industrial management. “Their capstone presentation not only integrated their learning, but also made direct improvements to their process. We’re hoping to continue this program with other businesses in the community.”

Edison’s involvement with the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP) continues to help high-achieving students get a jump start on their college careers by offering them courses for college-credit while experiencing daily campus life. This year, Edison will have 13 students who are graduating with an associate degree before graduating from high school.

“This program is such a great opportunity for students. To graduate from college with an associate degree before graduating from high school is a major accomplishment and will provide these students a significant head-start on their college careers,” said Velina Bogart, admissions coordinator. “Most will transfer to a four-year college or university as a junior, and will be able to begin to work in their careers earlier than most.  It takes a lot of hard work, discipline and determination to accomplish what they have done, and Edison is most proud.”

The speaker for the 2011 commencement will be Edison Community College graduate Valorie Welbaum. She is a 2002 graduate of Tipp City High School and received her associate of science degree from Edison in 2003. She went on to receive bachelor’s degrees from the University of Dayton in chemical engineering and accounting. She now works with Cargill in Dayton as a natural resources engineer.

This is the 36th commencement ceremony to be held by Edison. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 7 p.m.


 
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