The $$Parkersburg Campus held graduation on Thursday, May 15 at the Parkersburg Art Center. Thirty-seven students graduated, with seven receiving honors and five receiving high honors. The campus hosted State Senator Donna J. Boley as the commencement speaker.
Senator Boley has served her community and state as a senator for nearly 30 years. Born in Tyler County, she retired from the private sector and was appointed by Governor Arch Moore, Jr., to the Senate in 1985. She then won the 1986 election for her appointed seat and is one of the first women to serve in the state legislature. Currently, Senator Boley serves on numerous committees, including Military and Education; and Energy, Industry and Mining. Senator Boley has previously served as the Senate Minority Leader; a delegate to the Republican National Convention multiple times; the 70th, 71st, and 72nd Legislature’s Other Public Service Chairman; and was the recipient of the Distinguished West Virginian Award.
[img]Senator Boley spoke to the graduates about success and that we may not get there in the way we plan it. Most people think that their path to success will be a straight line. “In most cases, your path to success may take you in many different directions and that is ok,” said Senator Boley. She used her son’s path as an example of what success will most likely look like. She said that he had moved throughout the country holding jobs in sales, account management, and other industries. Some of his jobs took him around the world, particularly to Japan and the Far East. He is currently teaching in West Virginia and very happy to be doing so. “Being flexible is important as you move through your career and your life,” she advised the graduates.
Five students earned special awards for achievement, leadership and academic success. Michael Parkhurst, Jr., was awarded the Achievement Award with a 3.97 GPA in a double major of business administration-management and office technology professional. Pharmacy technology graduate Beverly Edwards, received the Leadership Award. The E.M. Coulter Award went to phlebotomy graduate Elizabeth Carrodus, while Laurie Landers, medical office assisting graduate, won the Mary P. McGurn Award. Christopher Matlack, an information systems engineering graduate received the M.A. Smythe award.
Reflecting upon time spent at ANU and what her degree means, Shela Mihaliak, a medical coding and billing graduate stated emphatically, “It means that my daughter will have a better future.” Shela started her career in medical billing at the PMR Clinic shortly after completing her course work.
“I was a diamond in the rough and the staff at ANU, my friends and my family helped me shine all the way past my graduation day to where I am now,” said April Workman. “I’ll never forget the confidence that was given back to me thanks to that college.” April passed her certification and is working as a registered medical assistant at Mid-Ohio Valley Nephrology, which is exactly where she wanted to work.
A-West Virginia State Senator Donna Boley served as the commencement speaker at the $$Parkersburg Campus graduation.
B-The $$Parkersburg Campus Class of 2014.
