Salem Community College graduates second-largest commencement ceremony

CARNEYS POINT TWP. — Salem Community College sent off its second-largest class ever Wednesday night, as 230 students received their degrees and certificates at the college's 42nd Graduation Ceremony.

The college set a different record Wednesday, as they awarded 267 degrees and certificates at the DuPont Field House in Davidow Hall, the most in the college's history.

"As you leave and continue to pursue your dreams, recognize where your opportunities are and take advantage of them," SCC President Joan Baillie said. "If things don't go your way, it's not because of your parents, or the weather or the economy... you and only you will determine your future. Make the best of it."

Marissa Kohrher — who received her Associate degree in health and exercise science — gave this year's student commencement speech and encouraged her fellow students to continue to persevere. She said she was often criticized for choosing to go to SCC, but she refused to let other people decide what was best for her.

"SCC has been quite a ride," she said. "We found out who we are, where to go and how to get there... It doesn't matter if you're old or young, or how long or how fast it took you to get here. The only thing that matters is that we made it, and we should be very proud of ourselves."

While there were many students graduating Wednesday who took the traditional route coming out of high school, there were some that came back to education later on.

One of those students was Kandace Sollars, of Swedesboro, who received her practical nursing certificate at the age of 29.

Sollars worked in the medical field before attending SCC, but wanted to get a degree in order to provide a better life for her six daughters.

"From when I was 3 (years old) all the way through growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor," she said. "So the medical profession was always in my heart."

She started taking her prerequisite courses at SCC two years ago, and her youngest daughter, Na'Shia, is also 2 years old. Her oldest, Na'Bree, is 12 and Sollars said attending courses and taking care of six girls within 10 years of age was never easy.

"It was very difficult," she said. "I'm not going to lie and say it was easy."

Sollars isn't done with her education yet, either.

She hopes to be accepted into SCC's associate nursing program next year and eventually attend Wilmington University for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Valentina Price was another non-traditional student to receive a degree Wednesday night. She went back to school when her youngest child started kindergarten and said, if anything, her journey proved that it's never too late to go back to school. She received her Associate degree in liberal arts.

She's not sure if she'll be back in school soon, but Price hopes to rejoin the workforce and maybe take some business classes back at SCC.

The celebration Wednesday was extra-special for Price, since she got to spend it with her daughter, Gabrielle, who also graduated Wednesday from the college. Gabrielle received her Associate degree in social science and is transferring to The John Jay College of Criminal Justice to pursue a degree in forensic pathology. From there, she wants to get her Doctorate and go on to work for the FBI.

The mother-daughter duo said walking together Wednesday made the night just that much more special.

"It took me a long time to get here," Valentina Price said, reflecting on her education. "I feel like I set a good example for my children."

"She's set such a good example for us," said her daughter. "I think it's awesome. My mom...  she's a little embarrassed, but I think it's really cool."

Also during the ceremony, a number of students and SCC staff were recognized with several awards for the accomplishments at the college this year. The awards and recipients were:

• The Peter B. Contini College Service Achievement Award is presented annually to a graduating student who addresses college issues, displays school spirit and is active in campus clubs or activities. This year's award went to Sonia Bermudez.

• The Arlene Kelley Service to Students Award — given to a staff member who demonstrates a dedication and passion to student success — was awarded to Associate Professor of Education Michael Burbine for being an inspirational role model to his students.

• Erin L. Boyle was honored at the 2014 Distinguished Alumna. Boyle was a member of SCC's Class of 2000 and earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Rowan University. She went on to work as a reporter for Today's Sunbeam and the Gloucester County Times, and she currently serves as editor for EyeWorld, the magazine of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, a nonprofit medical society based in Virginia.

• Sean Evans was elected by the student body to serve a one-year appointment to the college Board of Trustees. Evans is a dean's list student and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. He received his Associate degree in liberal arts.

• Five graduates were awarded with Faculty Medallions, which are given in each of the Associate degree areas (applied sciences, arts, fine arts and science) as well as a certificate recipient. The medallions are awarded to students who excelled academically and have served the college and community. The following students received medallions: Alzahraa Hassona, arts; Emily Gardiner, sciences; Stephen Chapman, fine arts; Colin Fay, arts and sciences; and certificate recipient Jill James.

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Contact staff writer Alex Young at 856-451-1000 ext. 550 or alexyoung@southjerseymedia.com

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