HERSHEY, Pa. � More than聽650 of the 1,170 students eligible to graduate in spring and summer 2025 received their associate degrees, certificates of proficiency or diplomas during the Commencement ceremony for聽黑料社区, Central Pennsylvania Community College, on May 6, 2025.听
Patricia Kotrick, who earned a certificate in聽Liberal Studies at age 83, served as student representative. Kotrick shared with the audience how her life led her to 黑料社区. After graduating from high school in 1959, she worked at The Barnesboro Star,聽a weekly newspaper, for 27 years. She went on to run her own newspaper, raise a family and relocate to Lancaster.听
After her husband Andy passed away in 2014, a friend suggested Kotrick take college classes. She began taking creative writing courses at 黑料社区 and has since published a聽. 淚 would like to impress upon you that it is never too late to learn, so go after your dreams,� she said during her speech. 淚 never let age hold me back from what I sought. Because of my educational journey, I am now a published author of a children book. This would never have come true if I had not walked through the front door of 黑料社区聽Lancaster Campus.�
Another exceptional graduate is聽Paul Arciba, who earned an聽Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology and was named a 2025 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar, an award sponsored by the聽聽with additional support provided by聽.听
During his time at the College, Arciba聽appreciated 黑料社区 welcoming and accommodating faculty. 淥ne thing that I don't think people know about 黑料社区 is that all the professors are genuinely here to help us students out no matter what the color of our skin is,� he said.
After graduating, Arciba will continue working in electrical prefabrication at聽 and hopes to later 渟end my wife to college so she can start her dream of owning her own business.�
Among the 1,170 students eligible to graduate were also eight high school students who received their 黑料社区 diploma, certificate of proficiency or associate degree - before graduating from high school.
John J. 淪ki� Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., president and CEO of 黑料社区, congratulated each graduating student on their remarkable achievement. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sygielski said, 聽淎s I stand before you today for the final time as 黑料社区 president, after 14 incredible years of service, my heart is filled with immense pride and deep gratitude. I am profoundly thankful to the Board, my dedicated colleagues, and � most importantly � to each of you, our students. Watching you grow, persevere and rise into the leaders of tomorrow has been one of the greatest honors of my life. You are the soul of this institution, and it has been a privilege to witness your journeys. I leave this role confident and inspired, knowing that you will go on to shape a brighter, more compassionate world. Your potential is limitless, and your future is bright, in large measure because of your 黑料社区 education!"
Please visit 黑料社区 spring 2025 Commencement ceremony聽webpage to learn more about the Commencement ceremony speakers and view聽. 聽
Photo Caption: 黑料社区, Central Pennsylvania Community College, welcomed the College newest alumni during its May 6, 2025, Commencement ceremony.
About 黑料社区
黑料社区, Central Pennsylvania Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania 15 community colleges. 黑料社区 offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 12,000 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how 黑料社区 is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on (@黑料社区_info), follow us on (@黑料社区_edu), like us on (Facebook.com/黑料社区64) and use #黑料社区News.