The May 9 commencement ceremony for graduates of programs at Kachemak Bay Campus was proof that there’s nothing a little dedication and a trusty Subaru can’t do.
The Homer campus for Kenai Peninsula College, a branch of the University of Alaska Anchorage, celebrated 57 graduates who earned everything from their GEDs to bachelor of arts degrees. Some Homer residents got degrees through a University of Alaska Southeast distance education program and received their diplomas at the ceremony.
Joey Evensen, a Homer-grown local and Homer High School graduate who went on to become a prominent geologist doing research in the oil and gas industry, returned as the keynote speaker. More than that, he has returned to Homer and is now teaching at the college, which he also holds a degree from.
After KBC, Evensen went on to earn degrees from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Oklahoma.
He regaled the graduates and the community members gathered to support them with tales of the Subarus that got him through his various life stages and travels. A big point he drove home with the graduates was to not be afraid to make mistakes, and to think outside the box.
This sentiment was echoed by valedictorian Delcenia Cosman.
The graduates were:
Associate of Arts: Delcenia Cosman, Tara Colleen Findlay, Jenna Kropf, Hannah MacLean, Robert Martin, Jessie E. Mattson, Kyle A. Mattson, Pedro Ochoa Jr., Jaclyn Rainwater, Neal Wimmerstedt and Patricia Woo.
UAA Associate of Applied Science in Nursing: Brian Burns, Heather Hays, Angela Holland, Britt Milne, Sandy Plummer, Stacy Roderick and Kim Urban.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Paul Eneboe III and Michael Tupper.
UAS Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education: Steven L. Shannon.
UAS Bachelor of Business Administration, Human Resource Management: Charlene Flyum.
GED: David Avendano, Jessica Bouman, John Clutts, Cami Green, Elizabeth Hull, Marion Jones, Griffin Shero and Sarah Turk.
American Welding Society Certification: Petr Afonin, Sean Blanie, Brent Ensign, John Kuklis, Joshua Lockwood, Bruce Nibert, Jacob Schmutzler and Will Schlein.
State of Alaska Certification, Certified Nursing Aide: Nina Aviles, Ulyana Cam, Mandy Jahanbin, Alexandra Kuzmin, Sophia Kuzmin, Nocile McKenney, Courtney Moody, Alexsandra Pozdeev, Elizaveta Reutov, Elizabeth Thatcher, Brianna Bahl, Matthew Baker, Steven Dilfer, Gavin Elvaas, Marian Jones, Kristina Mastre, April Stover, Pamela Tyhurst and Wendy Webster.
Reach Megan Pacer at mpacer@homernews.com.
Kachemak Bay Campus graduate Pedro Ochoa Jr. (center) laughs with classmates before their commencement ceremony Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
A Kachemak Bay Campus graduate fidgets with her tassels while waiting for her commencement ceremony to start Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. KBC graduated students who earned their GED, associate degrees and more. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
