College Confers First Honorary Degree to Jim Rapp as part of 50th Anniversary Celebration
John Wood Community College held its forty-ninth annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, at 6:00 p.m. in the Student Activity Center on the Quincy Campus at 48th and Harrison.
JWCC conferred 322 associate degrees, 201 certificates and 6 College for Life certificates. Dr. Bryan Renfro, JWCC president, conferred degrees and certificates and Mr. Bob Rhea, chair of the JWCC Board of Trustees, accepted candidates as graduates.
As part of the College’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, Mr. James A. (Jim) Rapp received JWCC’s first honorary degree. The degree was conferred in recognition of his longstanding service as JWCC’s legal counsel and his commitment to education and the mission of community colleges.
Ms. Grace Meyer of Quincy delivered the invocation. She was a member of Campus Crusade for Christ, Theatre Guild, JWCC Cheer Team, and the Student Government Association. She is active in the Quincy community through Girl Scouts, St. Francis Catholic Church, and the Quincy Humane Society. Meyer earned a College for Life certificate and plans to work in a local veterinary clinic.
Mr. Luka Bagi of Bedford, England, Kaydence Gregory of Bluffs, and Alisha Skwara of Quincy delivered the student address. Bagi was a member of the men’s soccer team, Phi Theta Kappa honor society and Student Government Association. He was a student worker with JWCC’s maintenance and grounds team and also served as JWCC’s mascot, Woody the Trail Blazer. He earned an Associate in Arts Degree with high honors and transfer to Knox College to study international business and continue his soccer career.
Gregory was a 2022-24 Trail Blazer scholar, served as JWCC’s Student Trustee for the 2022-23 academic year, and was a member of Student Government Association and TRiO. She also served as a student worker for JWCC’s Student Life Office. She earned an Associate in Arts Degree and will transfer to Western Illinois University to major in communication with a minor in event planning and management.
Swkara was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and an ambassador for the JWCC nursing program. She earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree in nursing with high honors in December 2023. She is currently working as a nurse focused on dementia and hospice care.
Mr. Avery Hayes of Palmyra, Missouri, and Mr. Brooks Sonethongkham of Quincy delivered closing remarks. Hayes was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and earned an Automation & Robotics Technician certificate in December 2022. He continued his education and earned both an Engineering Design-SolidWorks certificate and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Manufacturing Technology in December 2023. Avery received highest honors and excellence with his degree and certificates.
Sonethongkham participated in JWCC’s Smart Start Concurrent Enrollment program and earned both his high school diploma from Quincy Senior High School and an Associate in Science Degree with high honors. He is an avid chess player at the Quincy Chess Club, St. Louis Chess Club, and QHS Chess Club, which he founded. Sonethongkham will transfer to the University of Missouri to study computer science.
Dr. Steven Soebbing, JWCC chair and associate professor, fine arts, humanities and education, played processional and recessional selections and led the JWCC Choir in performing the National Anthem.
2024 JWCC graduates by reported hometown in alphabetical order are as follows:
Cameron Z. Lawrence | Alexandria | MO |
Laila M. Beck | Arenzville | IL |
Dennis Ratcliff | Astoria | IL |
Brilyn Lantz | Augusta | IL |
Rusty Thurman | Augusta | IL |
Faith Stille | Barry | IL |
Shayna Leigh Loutzenhiser | Barry | IL |
Ruby Fesler | Barry | IL |
Abigail G. Fesler | Barry | IL |
Mason McTucker | Barry | IL |
Rebecca Walston | Barry | IL |
Jonathan Grammer | Barry | IL |
Ryatt Jackson | Barry | IL |
Kyler Tobias | Barry | IL |
Samuel Walch | Barry | IL |
Amy Keeling | Baylis | IL |
Jewel Alizabeth McEvers | Baylis | IL |
Tricia Knous | Beardstown | IL |
Brandon Dobrovolny | Beardstown | IL |
Aspen Nichole Mueller | Bluffs | IL |
Maeleigh Alexander | Bluffs | IL |
Remington Bolton | Bowen | IL |
Kyle O’Neal | Bowen | IL |
Clayton Bollin | Bowen | IL |
James DeCamp | Bowen | IL |
Elizabeth Van Hove | Bowen | IL |
Tiffany Smith | Browning | IL |
Max Dittmer | Burnside | IL |
Madelyn Hamilton | Camp Point | IL |
Hayleigh Marlow | Camp Point | IL |
Paige Marlow | Camp Point | IL |
Nicole Olps | Camp Point | IL |
Nicole Suann Utterback | Camp Point | IL |
Daxton R. Wiskirchen | Camp Point | IL |
Gary Fifer | Camp Point | IL |
Cydnee Gayle Houston | Camp Point | IL |
Chloe Diane Turner | Camp Point | IL |
Cheyenne McQueen | Camp Point | IL |
Sumer Lois Myers | Canton | MO |
Faith E. J. Rudd | Canton | MO |
Monica N. G. Henke | Canton | MO |
Aubrey Lyn Marie Bliss | Canton | MO |
Jessica Arlis White | Carthage | IL |
Daniel Welker | Carthage | IL |
Katelynn Bush | Carthage | IL |
Kimberley S. Enzeroth | Carthage | IL |
Ethan Schlotterbeck | Carthage | IL |
Aiden Moore | Carthage | IL |
Tyler Yager | Carthage | IL |
Baileigh M. Brann | Chambersburg | IL |
Jessica Manker | Chambersburg | IL |
Jalyn Frevert | Chambersburg | IL |
First Middle Last | City | State |
Peyton Brianne Mast | Clayton | IL |
Taylor B. Kill | Clayton | IL |
Brianna Graham | Coatsburg | IL |
Alexia Johnson | Coatsburg | IL |
Hunter Kurk | Coatsburg | IL |
Jamie Michael Hawkins | Cobden | IL |
Samantha Maria Biswell | Colchester | IL |
Jennifer L. Heap | Colorado Springs | CO |
Matthew Privia | Concord | IL |
Brian A. Hartmann | Dunlap | IL |
Tyler Farrell | East Peoria | IL |
Jonathan Boyer | Ewing | MO |
Jadin Cheryl Downs | Fowler | IL |
Luke Girardin | Fowler | IL |
Sarah Ann Xiao Fang Shumake | Fowler | IL |
Carter Allen Holt | Fowler | IL |
Megan Fessler | Fowler | IL |
Katherine Ludlum | Fowler | IL |
Kaylee Grawe | Fowler | IL |
Laken Smith | Fowler | IL |
Kourtney K. Austin | Frankford | MO |
Brandon Rossmiller | Golden | IL |
Tanner Leedy | Griggsville | IL |
Kayla McCallister | Griggsville | IL |
Cash Kirk | Griggsville | IL |
Noah Stille | Griggsville | IL |
Rachel Barnes | Hamilton | IL |
Joseph Sullivan | Hamilton | IL |
Abigail Beck | Hannibal | MO |
Lindsay Noel Mohler | Hannibal | MO |
Laura Dawn Hoots | Hannibal | MO |
Mitcheal Harbison | Hannibal | MO |
Alicia Carlson | Hannibal | MO |
Marisa Riccitelli | Hannibal | MO |
Tracy Ketsenburg | Hannibal | MO |
Tung Nguyen | Hannibal | MO |
Shyre Abbey | Hannibal | MO |
Matthew Wealer | Hannibal | MO |
Carmen Smith | Hannibal | MO |
Jacob Michael Tallman | Hannibal | MO |
Koleena VanSickel | Hannibal | MO |
Mikhaela McCune | Hull | IL |
Boston Hall | Hull | IL |
Matthew Martin | Hull | IL |
Taylor Cassady | Janesville | WI |
Conner Mack | Kahoka | MO |
Drayson A. Daniels | Kahoka | MO |
Aerith Moreau | Kampsville | IL |
Melissa Juliet Dolter | Keokuk | IA |
Kyle James Bumphrey | Kewanee | IL |
Jedd Abney | Kinderhook | IL |
Luke Weir | Kinderhook | IL |
Thomas Davis | Kirkwood | IL |
Jordan Mackenzie Moore | Knoxville | IL |
Dodge Dare | La Belle | MO |
Kaleigh Burbridge | La Grange | MO |
Libby Ann Ippensen | La Prairie | IL |
Paige R. Brumbaugh | Lewistown | MO |
Ciera Clevenger | Liberty | IL |
John Isaac Frey | Liberty | IL |
Kyla Frizzell | Liberty | IL |
Kai Gower | Liberty | IL |
Breiton Klingele | Liberty | IL |
Logan Robbins | Liberty | IL |
Jackson Tenhouse | Liberty | IL |
Shelly Zengel | Liberty | IL |
Robert Clayton Obert | Liberty | IL |
Ava Blankenship | Liberty | IL |
Katlyn M. Zanger | Liberty | IL |
Reese Thomas Knuffman | Liberty | IL |
Jade Blair | Liberty | IL |
William Schoonover | Liberty | IL |
Joseph Jacobs | Liberty | IL |
Lucas Obert | Liberty | IL |
Jared R. Predmore | Liberty | IL |
Nicole Gravitt | Liberty | IL |
Cameron Paszkiet | Liberty | IL |
Christian Paszkiet | Liberty | IL |
Lakoda S. J. White | Liberty | IL |
Seth Bruenger | Loraine | IL |
Kassondra Blanchett | Loraine | IL |
Jorie Whitaker | Loraine | IL |
Athenea Cruz Medina | Louisiana | MO |
Delbert Wells Jr. | Maquon | IL |
Patrick McLain | Maywood | MO |
Holli M. Fuhrman | Mendon | IL |
Zackary Nevins | Mendon | IL |
April Shaffer | Mendon | IL |
Natalie Kindle | Mendon | IL |
Madison Gregory | Meredosia | IL |
Emily Whitlock | Milton | IL |
Kelly Stark | Monroe City | MO |
Fabian Walls | Monroe City | MO |
James C. Hager | Monroe City | MO |
Adam Mellen | Morton | IL |
Erin R. Barfield | Mt Sterling | IL |
Melissa Jane DeWitt | Mt Sterling | IL |
Robert William Groesch | Mt Sterling | IL |
Ethan Howell | Mt Sterling | IL |
Jacob Laning | Mt Sterling | IL |
Cortni Law | Mt Sterling | IL |
Kaitlyn Brooke Leenerts | Mt Sterling | IL |
Nicole Taylor | Mt Sterling | IL |
Joycelyn Welty | Mt Sterling | IL |
Marcus J. Perry | Mt Sterling | IL |
Heidi Marie Miller | Mt Sterling | IL |
Krista Taylor | Mt Sterling | IL |
Aydan Koontz | Mt Sterling | IL |
Ashley Fearneyhough | Naples | IL |
Addy Michelle Ruble | Nebo | IL |
Breann M. Ruble | Nebo | IL |
Sumer I. Warner | Nebo | IL |
Richard T. Bates | New London | MO |
Philip Jude Plumb | New London | MO |
Alexis Marie Damron | New London | MO |
Baylee Marie Zeiger | New London | MO |
Sadie Stine | New London | MO |
Tara Poor | Palmyra | MO |
McKenna Abbott | Palmyra | MO |
Luke D. Triplett | Palmyra | MO |
Avery Hayes | Palmyra | MO |
Abigail Rose Benning | Palmyra | MO |
Jaime Todd | Palmyra | MO |
Victoria Elaine Benjamin | Payson | IL |
Jairyn Hinthorne | Payson | IL |
Zyanne Mast | Payson | IL |
Kaylee Smith | Payson | IL |
Carley Jean Epperson | Payson | IL |
Kyler Smith | Payson | IL |
Amy Hughes | Payson | IL |
Curtis Crim | Payson | IL |
Evan Robinson | Pearl | IL |
Alexander Brody Faulkner | Peoria | IL |
Faith Grace Baker | Pittsfield | IL |
Susan Michele Barnes | Pittsfield | IL |
Karley Bogatzke | Pittsfield | IL |
Wessley Joel Davis | Pittsfield | IL |
Jackson Fish | Pittsfield | IL |
Breanna Fox | Pittsfield | IL |
Kristi A. Graves | Pittsfield | IL |
Jordan Lamb | Pittsfield | IL |
Bryson Matthew Thometz | Pittsfield | IL |
Nicole Cooley | Pittsfield | IL |
Mason Pherigo | Pittsfield | IL |
Morgan R. Deeder | Pittsfield | IL |
Colten Birkbeck | Pittsfield | IL |
Sierra Dawn Grimsley | Pittsfield | IL |
Dana M. Fry | Pittsfield | IL |
Jacqueline Baldwin | Pittsfield | IL |
Leif E. Carter | Pittsfield | IL |
Kimber Meyer | Pittsfield | IL |
Savannah Nash | Pittsfield | IL |
Ethan Huber | Plainville | IL |
Christian J. Klingele | Plainville | IL |
Malina Marie Sunde | Plainville | IL |
Jenna Marie Ngulitel Edwards | Plainville | IL |
Bradley Epley | Plainville | IL |
Ashley Moore | Pleasant Hill | IL |
Marisa Ahern | Quincy | IL |
Trayton Anders | Quincy | IL |
Luka Bagi | Quincy | IL |
Carson L. Bartlow | Quincy | IL |
Adrian Blattner | Quincy | IL |
Kelsey Bockenfeld | Quincy | IL |
Kelsey Nicole Butler | Quincy | IL |
Henry Cann | Quincy | IL |
Kaitlyn Coons | Quincy | IL |
Emily Jeanné Cornett | Quincy | IL |
Makenzie Kayann Davis | Quincy | IL |
Kaleb Austin Dieterle | Quincy | IL |
Braylon Diggs | Quincy | IL |
Coulter Fry | Quincy | IL |
Kennedy L. Frye | Quincy | IL |
Blaise Michael Genenbacher | Quincy | IL |
Timothy Goehl | Quincy | IL |
Natalie Goerlich | Quincy | IL |
Katelyn Greening | Quincy | IL |
Kaydence Gregory | Quincy | IL |
Brianna Rose Hale | Quincy | IL |
Charles Hall | Quincy | IL |
Michael Hall | Quincy | IL |
Gabrielle Julia Harms | Quincy | IL |
Caroline Haxel | Quincy | IL |
Ellie Hayden | Quincy | IL |
Rylee Ann Hendricks | Quincy | IL |
Hannah Hightower | Quincy | IL |
Samantha Hinds | Quincy | IL |
Reagan Hinkamper | Quincy | IL |
Cayge Hughes | Quincy | IL |
Bryce Janssen | Quincy | IL |
Ben Kasparie | Quincy | IL |
Bailee Marie Kelty | Quincy | IL |
Jillian Kirkpatrick | Quincy | IL |
Rachael Langworthy | Quincy | IL |
Hayden E. Lankey | Quincy | IL |
Shane LeClair | Quincy | IL |
Corbin Lee | Quincy | IL |
Kelsey Leerhoff | Quincy | IL |
Alex Loman | Quincy | IL |
Amanda Leanne Lubbert | Quincy | IL |
Kayla Maguire | Quincy | IL |
Payton Mansfield | Quincy | IL |
Kennedy Mellon | Quincy | IL |
Jocelyn Meyers | Quincy | IL |
Carson Moreno | Quincy | IL |
Laura Morgason-Oller | Quincy | IL |
Alexander Morningstar | Quincy | IL |
Emma Nye | Quincy | IL |
Grace Peters | Quincy | IL |
Mackenzie Peters | Quincy | IL |
Alexis Christine Pohlman | Quincy | IL |
Savannah Catherine Real | Quincy | IL |
Abbey M. Rhodes | Quincy | IL |
Jayden A. Rice | Quincy | IL |
Jackson Richmiller | Quincy | IL |
Jessica Carol Robbins | Quincy | IL |
Bradyn Robertson | Quincy | IL |
Nicole Rokusek | Quincy | IL |
Logan Schlueter | Quincy | IL |
Connor Schwindeler | Quincy | IL |
Jose David Serrada Pena | Quincy | IL |
Taelor Lynn Sheets | Quincy | IL |
Natalya C. Sorensen | Quincy | IL |
Ethan Sparrow | Quincy | IL |
Andrew Srebroski IV | Quincy | IL |
Aden Stapleton | Quincy | IL |
Abigail Stegeman | Quincy | IL |
Andrew Steinkoenig | Quincy | IL |
Joshua Stevens | Quincy | IL |
Andrea Stupavsky | Quincy | IL |
Joshua Talton | Quincy | IL |
Josiah Talton | Quincy | IL |
Emme R. Tournear | Quincy | IL |
Deedria Waldrop | Quincy | IL |
Amaya Webb | Quincy | IL |
Aaron Weber | Quincy | IL |
Mason Joseph Wells | Quincy | IL |
Keyouna West | Quincy | IL |
Barrett M. Whitfield | Quincy | IL |
Alexcis Wittler | Quincy | IL |
Luke Gabriel Wittler | Quincy | IL |
Ethan Woods | Quincy | IL |
Camila Zbynski | Quincy | IL |
Gabbriella R. Kearns | Quincy | IL |
Clancy Katherine Crawford | Quincy | IL |
Garrett Max Meyer | Quincy | IL |
John Albert Anderson | Quincy | IL |
Adonya S. Archibald | Quincy | IL |
David Eduardo Castro Larrache | Quincy | IL |
Elizabeth JoAnn Chandler | Quincy | IL |
Aubrey Dallmier | Quincy | IL |
Mackenzie Grace Davison | Quincy | IL |
Mykaela Elliott | Quincy | IL |
Ava Jaclyn Marie Fischer | Quincy | IL |
Addie Belle Force | Quincy | IL |
Sara Lynn Garland | Quincy | IL |
Michaelia Goodwin | Quincy | IL |
Avery Grawe | Quincy | IL |
Cameron Holford | Quincy | IL |
Mason Horman | Quincy | IL |
Spencer R. Jenkins | Quincy | IL |
Ashley Juette | Quincy | IL |
Kieren LeMaster | Quincy | IL |
Krista Michele Rittenhouse | Quincy | IL |
Andrew Rudd | Quincy | IL |
Eden Olivia Scheuermann | Quincy | IL |
Claire Sly | Quincy | IL |
Brooks Rodhoum Sonethongkham | Quincy | IL |
Keila Stapleton | Quincy | IL |
Grayson Tedrow | Quincy | IL |
Landon Parker Wallace | Quincy | IL |
Lucas Wiegand | Quincy | IL |
Cheyenne Elaine Wiley | Quincy | IL |
Reese Williams | Quincy | IL |
Thomas Youden | Quincy | IL |
Megan Dora-Ann McDowell | Quincy | IL |
Isabella Douglas | Quincy | IL |
Morgan Black | Quincy | IL |
Morgan Pettyjohn | Quincy | IL |
Quinton Parker Hankins | Quincy | IL |
Nathaniel R. Pabisiak | Quincy | IL |
Benet Eversden-Duesterhaus | Quincy | IL |
Aaron D. Wittler | Quincy | IL |
Ty Ryan Routh | Quincy | IL |
Connor Matthew Brown | Quincy | IL |
Thomas W. Muse | Quincy | IL |
Jesus Ramirez | Quincy | IL |
Belinda Abbey | Quincy | IL |
Marlee Jane Asher | Quincy | IL |
Gesi Danell Baker | Quincy | IL |
Haylie Danker | Quincy | IL |
Julianna Eden | Quincy | IL |
Audrey Caitlyn Evans | Quincy | IL |
Erika Fee | Quincy | IL |
Jamie Renee Ferguson | Quincy | IL |
Morgan Christine Goehl | Quincy | IL |
Tawnya Haws | Quincy | IL |
Nick Kelley | Quincy | IL |
Avery Kriegermeier | Quincy | IL |
Kaitlyn Marie LaTour | Quincy | IL |
Lacey Lewis | Quincy | IL |
Aideen Orr | Quincy | IL |
Alaina K. Pylican | Quincy | IL |
Lexi Nicole Schaffer | Quincy | IL |
Alisha Skwara | Quincy | IL |
Erika Whittaker | Quincy | IL |
Kobe Williams | Quincy | IL |
Sarah Mason | Quincy | IL |
Heather A. Frankel | Quincy | IL |
Haley Catherine Grenell | Quincy | IL |
Ashley Marie Schmidt | Quincy | IL |
Payton Renee Baker | Quincy | IL |
Maranda Mize | Quincy | IL |
Justyce Stephenson | Quincy | IL |
Jack Deno Crickard | Quincy | IL |
Mathew James Juette | Quincy | IL |
Grace Bernadette Marie Meyer | Quincy | IL |
Laken Aidich | Quincy | IL |
Gabriela G. Escamilla | Quincy | IL |
BobbiCrystina Monzo | Quincy | IL |
Alexis Roberts | Quincy | IL |
Debbi Sloup | Quincy | IL |
Pi-Tumbasa Puli | Quincy | IL |
Wendy White | Quincy | IL |
Allison Barthel | Quincy | IL |
Jacqueline Buckner | Quincy | IL |
Alyssia Comley | Quincy | IL |
Sonya Turner | Quincy | IL |
Dustin Schroeder | Quincy | IL |
Brenden Blattner | Quincy | IL |
Jaden Nicole Crawford | Quincy | IL |
Seth Haugh | Quincy | IL |
Alex Logan | Quincy | IL |
Alan Pacheco | Quincy | IL |
Jack Pales | Quincy | IL |
Max Parrino | Quincy | IL |
Braden Sheffield | Quincy | IL |
Shane Stotts | Quincy | IL |
Austin Durst | Quincy | IL |
Ryan Wand | Quincy | IL |
Jacob Thomas | Quincy | IL |
Jakob Griggs | Quincy | IL |
Devon McBride | Quincy | IL |
Brendan Wand | Quincy | IL |
Hunter Leindecker | Quincy | IL |
William Jo Norton | Quincy | IL |
Jaden McPherson | Quincy | IL |
Angel Denton | Quincy | IL |
Taylor Hiland | Quincy | IL |
India Johnson | Quincy | IL |
Brittany Smith | Quincy | IL |
Jodi Winfield | Quincy | IL |
Amy Wright | Quincy | IL |
Kaitlin Griffin | Quincy | IL |
Justice Taylor | Quincy | IL |
Blake Wagy | Quincy | IL |
Jordan Borovay | Quincy | IL |
Tiesha Burk | Quincy | IL |
Amy D. Burton | Quincy | IL |
Joshua J. Clay-Culver | Quincy | IL |
Christina Feltman | Quincy | IL |
Racaia Finley | Quincy | IL |
Tierra LeDonne Gallaher | Quincy | IL |
Amber Hoener | Quincy | IL |
Alexandria Keck | Quincy | IL |
Samantha Lambert | Quincy | IL |
Timothy C. Legemet | Quincy | IL |
Milagros Lorraine Mendoza | Quincy | IL |
Jordan Meyer | Quincy | IL |
Venessa Rankin | Quincy | IL |
Alaina N. Shoopman | Quincy | IL |
Amanda Sill | Quincy | IL |
Mattie Tjaden | Quincy | IL |
Kristin Wagner | Quincy | IL |
Alyssa Ann Weech | Quincy | IL |
Nathan Hall | Quincy | IL |
Bryce T. Genenbacher | Quincy | IL |
Cooper Lee | Quincy | IL |
Wilbert Maas | Quincy | IL |
Justen Nash | Quincy | IL |
Wendy Miracle | Quincy | IL |
Freedom Journey | Riverton | IL |
Zoey Marie Myers | Rockport | IL |
Kaci Riddle | Rockport | IL |
Colton Sexton | Roodhouse | IL |
Heather Lyons | Rushville | IL |
Jena N. Smith | Rushville | IL |
Tyler Trone | Rushville | IL |
Rachel Hackworth | Rushville | IL |
Tracey Heatherly | Summer Hill | IL |
Lisa Weeks | Sutter | IL |
Justice Spencer | Table Grove | IL |
Drake Houser | Timewell | IL |
Kristen Grenlund | Timewell | IL |
Joshua Ehrich Humke | Ursa | IL |
Taylor M. Payne | Ursa | IL |
Madalynn Morrison | Ursa | IL |
Amber Casley | Ursa | IL |
Vanessa Walker | Ursa | IL |
Kaci Elizabeth McKeon | Versailles | IL |
Brisyn Analeigh Hohenbery | Versailles | IL |
Shaun Manning | Washington | IL |
Riley Bozarth | West Point | IL |
Ramsey Fry | West Point | IL |
Kelton James Rice | West Point | IL |
Kaylene Dale Brunenn | West Point | IL |
Preston J. Hubbard | West Point | IL |
Lindsay Rivera | Winchester | IL |