Harford Community College Holds 53rd Annual Commencement

From Harford Community College:

On Thursday, May 19, Harford Community College held its Fifty-Third Annual Commencement. In a traditional cap and gown ceremony, graduates of the Class of 2011 received the Associate’s degree and/or certificate at the event. Dr. Dennis Golladay, Harford Community College President, delivered the commencement address.

Faculty Marshall Prof. James J. D’Amario and Student Marshall Prof. Paul Santiago led the processional. The ceremony began with welcome from Dr. Golladay and opening remarks by Bryan E. Kelly, Chair, Harford Community College Board of Trustees. Following the remarks, HCC’s “Second Shift” sang The National Anthem. Dr. Golladay delivered the Commencement address.

Dr. Annette Haggray, Vice President for Instruction, presented the candidates for degrees and certificates, and Dr. Golladay conferred the degrees and certificates. The HCC Class of 2011 is comprised of August 2010 and December 2010 graduates, and May 2011 candidates for graduation.

Stephanie Detorie, Da Eun Lee, Kevin Miksis, Emma Schmidt, Sarah Swatski, and Brandon Willem graduated from the Honors Program. To be recognized, graduates must have completed at least nine credits in honors courses with a 3.0 GPA. The Honors Program provides a highly enriched educational experience including greater intellectual and experiential opportunities and challenges, as well as greater in-depth analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of materials.

Academic Achievement Awards were presented to HCC students Michael Bachman, Ashley Barranco, Tamara Beam, Sherry Chavis, Erica Copeland, Monica Fernandez, Lauren Gebhardt-Kram, Amy Hadaway, John Morin, Danielle Sadowski, Stuart Sauer, Kelly Snead, William Stone, Sarah Swatski, Paul Sweigart, Katharina Thomson Tangalin, and Jordan Williams. The Academic Achievement Award is awarded to those individuals who have accomplished the highest academic average in credits earned at Harford Community College. The student may have no more than 12 credits in transfer.

HCC Vice President for Student Development and Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Deborah Cruise presented the Outstanding Student Leadership Award to Sarah Swatski. This honor is awarded to a student who has made significant overall contributions to the College and community. Sarah served as president of the Vowlunteers, a service club. A member of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), she was also the former president of PTK. Sarah coordinated and participated in several service projects, was active in student government, served as a peer leader for Service Learning, and volunteered for numerous on-campus programs.

Following the singing of the Alma Mater by “Second Shift,” HCC’s vocal jazz ensemble directed by Marianne Pastelak, graduates and faculty recessed, and a reception followed for graduates and their guests.

Photo: Harford Community College President Dr. Dennis Golladay joins Jordan Williams, who delivered the student address, and Kevin Miksis, Student Government Association President, at the College’s Fifty-Third Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 19.