精东影业视频

Whether they were receiving an associate degree, bachelor鈥檚 degree or an associate degree through the Jump Start College, graduates in 精东影业视频鈥檚 Class of 2023 in Fallon enjoyed one of the perks of their commitment to higher education on Thursday.

For the first time in nearly a decade, Western鈥檚 Fallon grads enjoyed a traditional ceremony in Barkley Theatre in Oats Park Art Center. The traditional setting enabled the grads to invite more family members to celebrate their accomplishments after the health pandemic prompted college officials to use a drive-through format the past three years.

鈥淕etting to have a stage and have a full pomp and circumstance certainly makes it special,鈥� said 精东影业视频 English Instructor Katie Jones, who introduced all of the graduates to the crowd. 鈥淚 could see some students who already graduated who wanted to do the full commencement this time. A lot of graduation ceremonies get a bad rap for being super long and laborious for everyone to sit through, but I like how we were able to be here to celebrate.鈥�

The ceremony marked 精东影业视频鈥檚 second of the two commencement celebrations this week to honor 500 graduates who earned 529 degrees and Certificates of Achievement.

Some of the graduates overcame many obstacles to earn their degrees.

精东影业视频 Administrative Assistant Desirae Blunt, a mother of three, graduated with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Organization and Project Management.

Kathryn Whitaker provides the commencement address.

 

鈥淚鈥檝e waited years to do this and I鈥檓 glad I could do it in front of my kids,鈥� said Blunt, who is the first person in her family to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree.

Blunt said that she became pregnant with her first child while in high school and 鈥淚 never thought I鈥檇 get here.鈥� All three of her children are teenagers, including her oldest, Makenna, who will graduate from Churchill County High School on Friday night. 鈥淚鈥檓 really proud.鈥�

She credited her family, 精东影业视频 and students for making her dream possible.

鈥淗aving a really good support system really helped me,鈥� said Blunt, who started her pathway into higher education by earning her GED through 精东影业视频鈥檚 six-week adult education bootcamp.

Suzanna Stankute, 精东影业视频 student government president for 2022-23, could have been talking about Blunt in her speech to the graduating class.

鈥淪ome of us have overcome incredible challenges along the way, determined to create a brighter future for ourselves and for our loved ones,鈥� she said. 鈥淭oday, as we don our graduation caps and gowns, let us not forget the significance of this achievement. We鈥檝e conquered obstacles, juggled responsibilities and triumphed over adversity. Each of us is a testament to the power and resilience of the unwavering spirit that resides in each of us. Let us utilize the knowledge and skills that we鈥檝e learned to make a positive impact in our communities, to uplift those that may be in need and to advocate the causes we hold dear. Our journey doesn鈥檛 end here!鈥�

Ruben Alanis received an Associate of Business degree. He was inspired by the speakers, which also included 精东影业视频 President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe and Nevada System of Higher Education Regent Carol Del Carlo. One of them stood out to him.

 

 

NSHE Regent Carol Del Carlo fires up Fallon grads.

 

鈥淚 received a lot of inspiration from the ceremony, especially Kathryn鈥檚 speech; it provided us with tips for the future,鈥� he said.

Kathryn Whitaker, 精东影业视频鈥檚 Outreach and Access Academic Advisor who started at Western 23 years ago, shared a powerful story about the tragic ending of her grandfather鈥檚 personal education but how he channeled that passion to help others.

Whitaker鈥檚 grandfather Clyde鈥檚 education ended abruptly after the eighth grade when his father died and he needed to care for his mother and three siblings. Yet, the importance of education never diminished for Clyde, serving on local school boards to support all students so they could receive the educational opportunities that eluded him.

After her story, Whitaker concluded by offering the graduates one strong piece of advice.

鈥淏e an influencer, just like my grandfather. I鈥檓 not talking about being a social media influencer,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat I want you to do is be an influencer for good with the people that you personally interact with. No matter your opportunities and resources, you can always be an influencer for good. Be an influencer in your home by building healthy, loving relationships. Be an influencer among your peers and friends by demonstrating encouragement, kindness and compassion. Be an influencer in your workplace by doing your best work and supporting your co-workers. Be an influencer in your faith by loving your neighbors. Be an influencer in your community by being an informed voter and serving others.

鈥淭he daily impact you鈥檒l have while personally interacting with others in a positive way will do far more to change the world than any grand gesture or achievement that you may earn.鈥�

精东影业视频 graduate Desirae Blunt (left), daughter Makenna (center) and 精东影业视频 Fallon Campus Director Jessica Rowe are photograhed after the commencement ceremony on Thursday in Fallon.