Lane Community College holds first in-person graduation ceremony since 2019
Lane Community College conducted its 57th commencement ceremony Saturday.
Held in the rain at Bristow Square on the main college campus, many students received diplomas wearing transparent ponchos over their caps and gowns. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the first in-person ceremony since 2019.
"The pandemic didn't keep you away and, by golly, the rain didn't keep you away," LCC president Margaret Hamilton said. "You navigated all your challenges — you even checked during online learning to make sure you were no longer on mute. But you didn't do it alone. All your friends and family and the people here today, they helped you."
About 55% percent of the 2022 class completed transfer degrees and 45% earned career-technical degrees or certificates, according to a news release. About 56% of the graduating class is first-generation college students.
Hamilton said the 2022 class includes more than 100 entering nursing fields, 30 entering the dental profession, 14 entering diesel mechanics and vehicle technician fields, more than 100 entering trades, more than 70 entering IT, business and accounting fields, 16 entering hospitality fields, more than 30 entering child care fields, 20 becoming physical therapy assistants and 118 entering paramedicine fields.
She said 68% of the class takes veteran benefits.
Hamilton also recognized graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021, some of whom were in attendance, whose graduation ceremonies could not be held in person over the last two years because of COVID-19 health restrictions.
Student Government Association President Donel Memey Kwaleso spoke about overcoming fears, just as she was able to go from stumbling through speeches in her 2019 English classes to addressing fellow graduates Saturday.
"Today is a great day because it speaks to our accomplishments, daily efforts and sacrifices made in recent years," Kwaleso said. "We made it. We managed to go beyond our fears and constraints. We were able to grow and accomplish our dreams to be here, building a glorious future for the world around us. We succeeded."
LCC alumnus Oregon State Sen. James Manning Jr. was the ceremony's keynote speaker and encouraged the Class of 2022 to spend its talents and energies uplifting others in the communities.
"I hope you will share with others the lessons you learned here at Lane Community College," Manning said. "I hope you will reinvest in your community and inspire others who feel left behind or those who may feel hopeless or disenfranchised. Have the wisdom to encourage and inspire. I want to remind you that success is measured in terms of how those you help achieve their successes."
More:Lawanda Manning remembered as a 'tour de force,' lauded for her service to others
Manning addressed the graduates on the first anniversary of the death of his wife, legislative aide Lawanda Manning. She was an LCC graduate herself and is remembered as an instrumental part of Manning's public life, establishing herself as a well-respected figure at the state capitol where she was best known as "Miss Lawanda."
Hamilton presented Sen. Manning with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, which this year LCC also posthumously awarded to Lawanda Manning.
"We appreciate your advocacy for community colleges and we are proud that you both chose to start your path of public service right here at Lane," Hamilton said.
Contact reporter Adam Duvernay at aduvernay@registerguard.com. Follow on Twitter @DuvernayOR
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Lane Community College holds first in-person graduation since 2019
