Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College come in many different forms. Some leave with associate or bachelor’s degrees, some with their general educational diploma, and others with certificates.
Similarly, the college’s 54th Annual Commencement Ceremony, held Thursday, May 9, at Kenai Central High School means a lot of different things to those graduates — a step on the path, a conclusion, or a new beginning.
Each has achieved a milestone. Each, according to keynote speaker Dr. Barbara Christian, is an inspiration. She said that regardless of the path they chose, they committed to an educational endeavor of “one, or two, or four, or maybe more” years.
Regardless of what lies ahead, she encouraged the graduates to celebrate their accomplishments, but also “experience new things, and change with them.”
“Never be afraid to be a new you,” she said.
The idea of choices and pathways echoed sentiments raised by KPC Director Cheryl Siemers in her opening remarks. She spoke of the different routes each student walked to arrive at commencement.
She said the students of KPC include a wide variety of people who have made their own choices.
“I can’t put myself in your shoes,” she said. “I will never fully understand your particular situation, the way you navigate your journey … but as you walk across the stage tonight, I can commend your steps. I can applaud your path. I can respect your choices.”
Zach Harden graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies. He said he took advantage of the JumpStart program to achieve that degree only one year out of high school. Now, he’s done with college, and said he’ll probably pursue a trade.
Ashleigh Brand graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. She said she was grateful to be able to complete that degree on the Kenai Peninsula rather than in Anchorage, and that she’ll use it to work as a registered nurse, the next step in a career in health care that’s spanned nearly 10 years.
Willow Patrick is still a high school student, but graduated Thursday with an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies by taking classes through the Kenai Peninsula Middle College. That opportunity let her take classes for free, meet people, make connections, and start to visualize a career.
Graduating with her associate degree, Patrick said, is reassuring as a first step into secondary education.
“I’ve taken 66 credits, I can do it.”
For more information about Kenai Peninsula College, visit kpc.uaa.alaska.edu
KPC River Campus Degrees and Certificates Conferred
Associate of Arts
Alaska Native Studies
Kaylee A. Gorrod *
General Program
Mercedes L. Becker
Indyra L. Edwards-Smith
Krystal M. Haavik
Zach J. Harden **
Cayden M. Kelly
Carter J. Kincaid **
Alexander J. Lisenby
Taylor Maki
Koleman L. McCaughey
Brieanna R. Miller
Millynda E. Parvin *
Willow E. Patrick **
Tre L. Rybak III **
Jennifer L. Simpson
Corbin C. Stuive
Nathaniel N. Tuttle
Associate of Applied Science
General Business
Heather L. Prisk **
Industrial Process Instrumentation
Daniel K. Byrd
Ava G. Grossl
Natasha J. Mallett
Wyatt Mehlberg
Kristofor L. St Luise **
Paramedical Technology
Mackenzie R. Evenson *
Matthew A. Lorenz *
Process Technology
Dylan J. Barndt *
Jarret G. Brunz *
Aaron Butcher
Andy Dixon *
Megan E. Garrett
Ava G. Grossl
Calvin Hills
Travis J. Howell *
Anthony Jaramillo *
Richard D. Kazaitis
Kirk Kennedy
Deven Malutin **
Riley McKee
Philip W. Miller
Kameron V. Moore
Josef W. Niva **
Camron C. Presley
Alissa Shabanoski
David C. Wolf *
Occupational Endorsement Certificate – Ahtna Language
Raedeen E. Neeley
Taliylah D. Patrick
Occupational Endorsement Certification – Conservation Ecology
Ilaria Bardini
Grace Bradley
Jack D. Budd
Darcy Chaguaceda
Samantha J. Earney
Zoe M. Grossnickle
Diego Norena
Kelsey H. Rogers
Cemiyra C. Torres
Occupational Endorsement Certificate – Corrections
Ashley C. Carl
Occupational Endorsement Certificate – Marine Mammal Biology
Isabella Ackermann
Isabella R. Felts
Ashten M. Grooms
Desiree Jenkins
Kaitlin Katayama
Abigail N. Mish
Alec Nosovitski
Rebecca A. Nowlin
Maya Silver
Madison R. Thornhill
Charlize E. Uptegrove
Occupational Endorsement Certificate – Petroleum Production
Deven Malutin
Logan M. Miller
Devon A. Shepard
Undergraduate Certificate – Petroleum Technology
Deven Malutin
Logan M. Miller
Certified Nursing Assistant
Alycia Bowden
Gracie Bras
Jillian Churchill
Christina Cooper
Paige Crawford
Delaney Crosby-Schneider
Charisma Fulk
Joanne Glaves
Kya Glover
Kristina Hamilton
Lanita Harms
Haleysue Inman
Elizabeth Jurco
Blu Kelley
Paisley Maxwell
Nikita Monyahan
Lottie Nunnally
Jeannette Read
Brooke Summers
Ruth Suprien
Thi Tran
Jessica Wilcox
Emilee Wilson
GED Graduates
Dimitry Basargin
Alexandra Casey
Leeloo M. Darwin
Carlee A. Faircloth
Akilina Konev
Chanachon Kulthepbundit
Naomi Petrosius
James Preston
David E. Scott
Izaiah C. Templeton
Liam E. Way
Other University of Alaska Degrees and Certificates Conferred
Associate of Applied Science
General Program – UAA
Samantha J. Perry
Native Language Education – UAF
Kari L. Shaginoff **
Nursing – UAA
Katherine L. Beattie
Ashleigh S. Brand *
Ellimarie Bravo-Moe
Jayson A. Cooper
Kirsten G. Hinz
Jennie M. Hulbert **
Shannon E. Lowry *
Tamara R. Miller
Adeline R. Nelson
Chanelle F. Usvat **
Bachelor of Arts
History – UAA
Shelby L. Fuller **
Bachelor of Business Administration
Business Administration – UAF
MJ McCown **
Medical Assisting Certificate – UAS
Jody A. Anglebrandt
Key
* — Cum Laude
** — Magna Cum Laude
Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College proceed into the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Faculty Chair Bill Howell names David Wolf a recipient of a Faculty Choice Award during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion A graduate of Kenai Peninsula College gives a thumbs up as graduates proceed into the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School on Thursday.
Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College listen to speakers during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Faculty Chair Clair Kochis names Willow Patrick a recipient of a Faculty Choice Award during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Faculty Chair Clair Kochis names Kaylee Gorrod a recipient of a Faculty Choice Award during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College proceed into the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College gather for photos before the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Student Services Director Sara Rinearson names Koleman McCaughey a recipient of the Staff Choice Award during the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Graduates of Kenai Peninsula College proceed into the 54th Annual Kenai Peninsula College Commencement Ceremony at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
