The $$Cincinnati Campus recognized its Class of 2013 during commencement exercises held on Saturday, June 1st at the Tri-County Assembly of God.
Approximately 65 graduates received associate’s degrees and diplomas in their fields of study while over 200 family members and friends looked on — and cheered on. Judge Fanon Rucker of the Hamilton County Municipal Court delivered a lively, relevant message, urging them to become “game changers” in life. Opening his remarks by quoting rapper Lil’ Wayne, and citing examples of game changers both contemporary and historical, Judge Rucker gave the graduates many role models to emulate. He also showed how each of these game changers refused to let failure deter them from their ultimate goals.
“Every successful person has been denied numerous times before achieving their desired goal,” said Judge Rucker. “I know that was also true for me…every failure, every struggle, every defeat that I’ve ever had…each one of those ended up being a rung on the ladder that I’ve been climbing throughout my life.”
In addition to diplomas, a number of graduates were recognized with special awards. These included: Toya Washington, who received the Achievement Award; Anita Addo, who received the Leadership Award; Venus Anderson, Annette Roberts, and Stacey Ware, who received the E.M. Coulter Award; Darlene Edwards, who received the Mary P. McGurn Award; Charles Warner, who received the M.A. Smythe Award; and Stephanie Chichester and Kathy Goode, who received the Joseph E. Hurn Award.
After the ceremony, the graduates celebrated with family and friends, basking in the glow of their achievements and their new careers.
A happy graduate is pictured as she receives her diploma — and heartfelt congratulations from their faculty — at the Cincinnati Campus graduation ceremony.
