There will be a special trio of ladies among the 1,029 candidates for graduation during Thursday night’s Gateway Community & Technical College commencement at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.
2,288 credentials and 118 general equivalency diplomas (GED) will be presented.
“Tonight, we celebrate the result of our students’ hard work and the commitment of our staff and faculty,” said Dr. Vic Adams, Gateway interim president/CEO. “We welcome the class of 2016 as new Gateway alumni and a prepared workforce for the community.”
This year, the college saw a 3 percent increase in the number of candidates for graduation and an over 28 percent increase in number of credentials conferred.
The celebrants on Thursday include a grandmother, mother, and granddaughter.
Barbara Howe said she is graduating tonight “because my granddaughter believed in me.”
When Howe was laid off after 19 years on her job, granddaughter Paige Bagwell, a Gateway dual credit student from Holmes High School, suggested she go back to college. Despite her doubts, Barbara listened to Paige and enrolled. Not long after Barbara lost her job, her daughter and Paige’s mother, Tammi Bagwell, was also laid off. She, too, enrolled in Gateway.
Tonight, Bagwell and Howe will receive an associate’s degree in applied science degree in medical information technology. They will continue their education in health information technology and hope to work at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.
Paige Bagwell, who graduated from Holmes, will receive her associate’s degree in applied science and plans to pursue a career in web design.
“The biggest accomplishment is that we did this together,” said Tammi Bagwell. Balancing home, work and school while all made the dean’s list was not easy, but the three women supported each other and completed their goal, together.
Howe’s statement to anyone considering college, “If I can do it, you can do it!”
The ceremony will include the presentation of the annual Student Choice Awards to outstanding faculty and staff nominated and selected by students. The college will also recognize faculty and staff New Horizon nominees for statewide recognition by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
Gateway credentials include associate in arts, associate in science, and associate in applied science degrees, plus technical diplomas and certificates. Many graduates will receive more than one credential.
-Staff report
Photo provided
