Erie County Community College graduates its first class

Erie County Community College presented diplomas and certificates to members of its first graduating class on Saturday. Nineteen students earned associate degrees and nine earned certificates in welding during the "Firsts"-themed event.

"You have quite literally charted a new course and paved the way for generations of EC3 students to come," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro told graduates. Shapiro gave the main commencement address at the college's west campus at the former Villa Maria Academy in Millcreek Township.

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"It's always tough to be first," Shapiro said. "You had to do something that no one else ever did before. You took a risk on EC3 and you bet on yourselves. It was a good bet. It's hard to balance your studies with your life, your work and your duties to family. But each of you took charge of your life and decided to chart your own course.

"It's your example, your leadership that we need now more than ever here in Erie and across our great commonwealth," Shapiro said.

Shapiro also commended the Erie community leaders "who saw the immense need for an affordable, flexible, high-quality higher education option in this region" and worked with businesses to provide students with skills that employers need.

Opening day in 2021: First students begin classes at Erie County Community College

"They saw the need for better coordination with local businesses and the schools training people for jobs. And that is exactly what EC3 has done in a relatively short period of time," Shapiro said.

The college's first graduates include Regina Akers of Erie. Akers enrolled in the community college when it opened two years ago, after her children were grown.

"It was time to finish what I want to do," Akers said.

Akers, 51, works at the Eagle's Nest Leadership Corp. in Erie and earned an associate degree in liberal arts. She plans to continue her education at Penn State Behrend and ultimately to earn a master's degree in business administration.

Erie County Community College, she said, started her on that path.

"It was an amazing opportunity," Akers said. "I'm so grateful, and so impressed with the staff and everyone here to assist us. I thank God for this college."

Michelle Schnars of West Springfield earned an associate degree in applied business while working as a nurses' aide. She dreams of starting her own business.

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"I want a little more in life," Schnars, 41, said.

Austin Harris, 20, of Harborcreek Township, earned a certificate in welding in a nine-month program at the college and said his job prospects are good.

"There's always a need for welders," he said.

The college awarded its first honorary degree to Empower Erie, the nonprofit formed in 2016 to do the research and organize the support required to create the college.

"(A proverb) says that a society grows great when its people plant trees in whose shade they will never sit," Erie County Community College President Chris Gray said in presenting the degree. "That's exactly what this community did."

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The state Board of Education approved Erie County's application for a community college in July 2020 after three years of delay. Community college classes began Sept. 1, 2021.

Erie County Community College admits any Erie County resident with a high school diploma or equivalent. The school's tuition cost of $160 per credit is much lower than costs at traditional four-year colleges. And even that cost was waived for the community college's first students. Erie County Council's $1.75 million allocation of federal COVID-19 relief funds paid their tuition.

Erie County Executive Brenton Davis, in addressing graduates, credited predecessor Kathy Dahlkemper's administration for positioning Erie County as local sponsor of the community college.

Official in July 2020: State Board of Education approves Erie County’s community college

The college will continue to grow, Davis said.

"We will continue to build it stronger so that it can be even better," he said.

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: 'I thank God for this': Erie County Community College awards degrees