44th Commencement Held at JCC / 609 Awarded Degrees

Jefferson Community College held its 44th annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the McVean Student Center Gymnasium. The commencement exercises were videostreamed through the Jefferson website at www.sunyjefferson.edu.

Jefferson’s class of 2008 is comprised of 609 students who graduated in December 2007, or are candidates for graduation in May or August of 2008, pending satisfactory completion of coursework. Twenty-two students received two degrees each, and one student earned three degrees, bringing the total number of degrees awarded to 633, of which 190 are A.A.S. degrees, 181 are A.A. degrees, 250 are A.S. degrees and 12 are certificates. The popularity of distance learning is evident in the class of 2008. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that 19 graduates completed their degree by taking strictly online courses and more than half (71%) of graduates took at least one online course from Jefferson. Jefferson continues to be a strong educational partner of Fort Drum. Nearly 38% of this graduating class is comprised of active duty Soldiers, their family members, veterans, retirees or members of the Army Reserves.

During commencement, Jefferson also recognized six students who earned associate in applied science degrees in dental hygiene from Monroe Community College. Through a partnership between Monroe and Jefferson, these students were able to take all dental hygiene classes offered by Monroe on the JCC campus in Watertown. The clinical component of the curriculum was also completed in Watertown, allowing a degree in dental hygiene to be completed without leaving the local area.

David R. Smith, M.D., president of the State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, delivered the keynote commencement address. Dr. Smith was appointed SUNY Upstate’s sixth president in September of 2006 and brings extensive expertise as both a healthcare professional and an academic administrator to the SUNY system.

SUNY Upstate is the only academic medical university in Central New York, with nearly 7,000 employees, four colleges, its own University Hospital, and a $750 million operating budget. Along with Jefferson Community College, SUNY Upstate Medical University is a member institution of the SUNY Colleges of the North Country Consortium based on Fort Drum.

The student commencement speaker was Michael E. Perry of Watertown. Michael enrolled at Jefferson Community College two years ago after spending several years in the workforce, including 13 years managing several Radio Shack stores in the North Country. His desire to formalize his education led him to pursue degrees in business administration and accounting. At commencement, Michael received an associate in applied science degree in accounting. He is also an Honors Program graduate.

While at Jefferson, Michael was president of both the Tau Xi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Institute of Management Accountants, and he also served on the Faculty Student Association board of directors. He was employed as a student manager, planning events for the campus and the community, and he served as the master of ceremony for the 2007 and the 2008 annual campus-wide award ceremonies. In 2006, Michael was selected by his accounting professors to be a peer tutor and he earned the very first Tutor of the Month award from the Learning and Success Center this past November. He was also instrumental in helping to initiate an online tutoring program for off-campus students.

During the commencement ceremony, four members of the JCC community were awarded SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The Chancellor’s Awards recognize extraordinary achievement and encourage the continuation of excellence. Matthew R. Lambert of Watertown, counselor in the Advising, Career and Counseling Center, received the Chancellor’s Award for Professional Service. Genny E. Pond of Pulaski, assistant professor of engineering science, was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Cynthia A. Shelmidine of Mannsville, assistant professor of criminal justice, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. John J. Thomas of Ogdensburg, assistant librarian, was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship.

Additionally, two students were recognized for having received SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence earlier this year. The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence acknowledges students who have best demonstrated the integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives: community service, athletics, creative and performing arts, leadership and career achievement. In April, David E. Elmer of Watertown and Keri E. Nelson of Alexandria Bay and were chosen by SUNY for the 2008 Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence.

Mr. Elmer, a graduate of Watertown High School, received an associate in science degree in liberal arts – mathematics and science. With his 4.0 grade point average, David has been named to the President’s List for each of the three semesters he has been enrolled at Jefferson and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society. David plans to transfer to SUNY Upstate Medical University and pursue a career in respiratory therapy.

Ms. Nelson, a graduate of Alexandria Central School, received her associate of applied science degree in hospitality and tourism. She has been named to the President’s List for two semesters, the Dean’s List one semester, and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society. Keri plans to transfer to the Rochester Institute of Technology and pursue a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and service management. While at Jefferson, Keri has served as president of Student Government and as the student representative on the Jefferson Community College Board of Trustees.

Ms. Nelson was also recognized along with Mark A. Southcott of Watertown, for being named to the All-New York Academic Team for Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for community colleges. To be chosen for the All-New York academic team, students must have a grade point average of at least 3.25 and have a history of scholarly achievement and outstanding service to campus or community. Mr. Southcott, a 2006 graduate of Watertown High School, received his associate in science degree in engineering science from Jefferson Community College. He has been named to the President’s List for two semesters and the Dean’s List one semester. Mark plans to attend Cornell University and earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in pursuit of a career in marine research.