JWCC Forty-Eighth Annual Commencement Ceremony Set for May 19
John Wood Community College will hold its forty-eighth annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the Student Activity Center on the Quincy Campus at 48th and Harrison.
JWCC will confer 349 associate degrees, 174 certificates and 1 College for Life certificate. Dr. Bryan Renfro, JWCC president, will confer degrees and certificates and Mr. Bob Rhea, chair of the JWCC Board of Trustees, will accept candidates as graduates.
Ms. Melissa M. Hess, of Quincy, will deliver the invocation. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the facilitator of JWCC’s Adult Student Support Group. She volunteers in the community by serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in the court system, a mentor in the public school system, and a Certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Melissa earned her Associate in Arts Degree with High Honors in December 2022. Melissa plans to continue her educational path in the field of human services and social work.
Ms. Catharine Jean Miller, of Pittsfield, will deliver the student address. She was a 2021-2023 Trailblazer Scholar, 2021-2022 Music Scholar, the 2022-2023 Phi Theta Kappa President, the 2022-2023 Student Government Association President, heavily involved in Student Life events, the Student Representative on the Foundation Board, the Student Representative on the Presidential Search Committee, a Student Ambassador for the Admissions Office, and volunteered time to assist with Student Success Night.
Catharine will be earning an Associate in Arts Degree with Highest Honors. In the fall, she will be transferring to Culver-Stockton College to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.
Ms. Madison McFerrin, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, will deliver the closing remarks. She was a member of the Women’s Basketball team during the 2021-2023 seasons, led the team in multiple statistical categories during the 2022-2023 season, and made the 2022-2023 All-Region Team and 2nd Team All-Conference. Madison will be earning her Associate in Arts Degree. In the fall, she will be transferring to Barry University in Miami, Florida, to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Business & Marketing and continue her basketball career.
Dr. Steven Soebbing, JWCC associate professor, fine arts, humanities and education will play processional and recessional selections and lead the JWCC Choir in performing the National Anthem.
