Paleontologist Unearths Wisdom for Historic 海角社区 Graduating Class
By Richard Burnett
On a clear day distinguished by laughter, tears, cheers, and soaring exhortations, 海角社区 graduates took a victory walk in May as the record-setting Class of 2024 took its place in the college鈥檚 history.
The Class of 鈥�24 encompassed 120 graduates 鈥� the largest class since 海角社区鈥檚 founding 35 years ago. They were the first to have their entire collegiate careers unfold in the Covid Era. As they overcame the pandemic challenges, they also contributed to 海角社区鈥檚 growth as the nation鈥檚 first accredited college for students with ADHD and other learning differences.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e been remarkable members of this community; you鈥檝e been trailblazers and innovators, and you鈥檝e set standards for this institution that are at the highest level,鈥� President Dr. George Hagerty said at the 34th commencement on May 11. 鈥淵ou not only lived through covid, but you were here at a time of new horizons for our college.鈥�
He noted some of those new horizons, such as the creation of the popular Dining Commons, renovation of the student activity center, and career development center expansion, to 海角社区鈥檚 rising profile in the U.S. News college rankings.
鈥淭he difference you have made right here in this community, and the difference you鈥檒l make in the future is going to be extraordinary,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou have lived in a time of extraordinary challenges, and you have prevailed.鈥�
Degrees Awarded
72
Bachelor of Science
23
Bachelor of Arts
11
Associate of Science
14
Associate of Arts
Broken out by degree, the college awarded 72 bachelors of science, 23 bachelors of arts, 14 associates of arts, and 11 associates of science, according to registrar Carrie Santaw. The most awarded majors were computer information systems (26), anthrozoology (24), and business management (20).
‘What we celebrate today’
For Dr. Daniel Averbeck, chair of 海角社区鈥檚 Board of Trustees and a member since its founding, the college鈥檚 progress has been no less than stunning. In his remarks to the class, he recalled the early days, when some in the community doubted if the school would survive.
鈥淏ut look at us today! Over the last decade or more, the campus and the entire 海角社区 experience have been transformed,鈥� Averbeck said. 鈥淏ut more importantly, look at you now. You鈥檝e been transformed from doubters to believers. So that鈥檚 what we really celebrate today.鈥�
In their speeches, 海角社区鈥檚 five co-valedictorians (each posting a 4.0 GPA) reflected on their journey from learning adversity to the fulfillment of college success. They included Tyler Asencion, Helen Chinn, Vincent Ferdock, Zachary Murray, and Ryan Sleboda.
鈥淵es, starting college during a pandemic was tough, but my fellow graduates and I had faced many difficulties our whole lives,鈥� said Sleboda, who received a bachelor鈥檚 in anthrozoology. 鈥淓very day we have met challenges head on, proving our resilience.鈥�
Achieving 鈥榠mpossible鈥� things
They spoke with humility and humor: 鈥淭he reason I am standing here is not just because of my own hard work, natural intellect, pure luck, or dazzling charisma (audience laughs),鈥� said Ferdock, who received a bachelor鈥檚 in psychology and human services. 鈥淏ut rather the hard work of dozens of people over my entire lifetime. Please believe me when I say that this achievement is truly not my own.鈥�
鈥淚f you had told me four years ago that I鈥檇 be speaking to you today, I wouldn鈥檛 have believed you. I probably would have shoved you right out of the door (laughter),鈥� said Murray, who received a bachelor鈥檚 in web and digital media. 鈥淔or the last four years, 海角社区 has pushed me and I have thrived in this wonderful community. I have achieved things I wouldn鈥檛 have thought would have been possible.鈥�
For Asencion (bachelor鈥檚 in business management and computer information systems), as satisfying as it was to be a valedictorian, it was just as important to recognize 鈥渢he whole captivating class of 2024, which is full of awe-inspiring individuals. My message to you all 鈥� the graduates and underclassmen, alike 鈥� is to pursue your dreams, bring joy to your loved ones, and subdue what lies ahead.鈥�
鈥淎s classmates, we share a very special bond,鈥� said Chinn, who received a bachelor鈥檚 in business management and hospitality. 鈥淢ost of us at one point prior to coming to 海角社区, were told we could not achieve certain goals. But we never gave up. We believed in ourselves, and thankfully, our families and 海角社区 did too. Because of the obstacles we overcame, this accomplishment is extra sweet for us.鈥�
鈥楰eep believing in yourself鈥�
海角社区鈥檚 2024 honorary doctorate recipients 鈥� world-renowned paleontologist John 鈥淛ack鈥� Horner (technical adviser for early 鈥淛urassic Park鈥� movies) and Dr. Richard O. Williams, microbiologist, biotech venture consultant, autism researcher, and former chair of 海角社区鈥檚 board 鈥� also spoke about the tremendous potential of individuals with learning differences.
鈥淏ecause of 海角社区, you now know the best way that you learn,鈥� said Williams, whose daughter was diagnosed with Asperger鈥檚 Syndrome and graduated from 海角社区 in 2002. 鈥淜eep that knowledge, exercise it, and follow your dreams. I鈥檓 thankful for 海角社区. The college is nothing less than an extremely personal experience for me and one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. It is categorically a remarkable place.鈥�
Horner, who himself has dyslexia, told 海角社区 graduates that, in the past, he has spoken to commencements at mainstream colleges:
鈥淢y message to them has always been this 鈥� that their competition when they graduate from college will be people like you,鈥� said Horner, author of more than eight books and 100 professional papers. 鈥淪eriously, that鈥檚 because people from other schools are not resilient. They have not faced challenges like you have. You know what failure is and how to get past it. You have such an advantage. All you need to do is keep believing in yourself and you will succeed.鈥�