RBC I May is probably our favorite time of year at Colorado Northwestern Community College. The grass greens up, the trees bloom, and we get to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating students. On May 7, we will be holding our 58th Commencement Ceremony for Colorado Northwestern Community College. It will be a little bittersweet. Bitter, because it will be the final commencement with me as CNCC’s President, as I am retiring at the end of July. Sweet, due to the support and efforts of so many at the college and in the community we will be holding our Commencement Ceremony in-person, with limited attendance.
It is hard to believe that it has been two long years since we have had an in-person ceremony. This year we will award over 160 credentials (diplomas and certifications) to over 150 students. This is extraordinary. It isn’t extraordinary because of the number of credentials or students, but instead because of what our students have gone through to get to this point in their college education.
Commencement is not so much about the college as it is about our students. This year’s graduates have faced some very difficult challenges in pursuit of their education. Our students had to change from face-to-face classes to remote classes twice (last spring and this last fall). They had to deal with family issues that occurred because of the pandemic, find new ways to pay for their education because of lost jobs, and most of all they had to deal with being isolated from their friends and fellow students off and on through this last year and a half. However, in spite of these challenges, they showed their resilience and much like the ancient Spartans, excelled in the face of adversity.
In-spite of these various obstacles, our students have gone above and beyond to accomplish something that will be with them for the rest of their lives. When I think about our students and what they have gone through to get to this point, I am excited about their future. I am excited because I see a group of dedicated adults who will work hard to accomplish all of their goals and to make their lives better.
We are so proud of them and what they have accomplished and couldn’t be happier to say congratulations to the CNCC graduating class of 2021! May the lessons you learned here, both in and out of the classroom, guide you to a happy and successful life.
I want to give a very special congratulations to all of our graduates and let them know they will always be special in the hearts and the minds of the faculty and staff at CNCC. You graduates are the future and, if how you handled this last year is any indication, your future is very bright and will be in great hands.
By RON GRANGER | CNCC President
