FKCC awarded its first baccalaureate degree, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management (BAS-SM), to Neetu Jagasia at the College’s fifty-sixth Commencement Exercises held on December 13 in the College’s Tennessee Williams Theatre. Forty-one students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.  The College awarded a total of 132 degrees and certificates this fall semester.  The students’ achievements culminated years of hard work and resilience, including a particularly harrowing final semester marred by Hurricane Irma in September.

Jagasia, who goes by “Sweetie,” was already an FKCC alumnus holding two associate degrees.  The mother of twins maintained two jobs while pursuing her bachelor’s degree.  FKCC President Dr. Jonathan Gueverra marked the historic moment by presenting Jagasia with a stole in the color drab to signify her new credential in the field of business.  Gueverra also teaches classes in the BAS-SM program, which the College launched in January 2017.

In addition to receiving diplomas, 20 students earning Associate in Science in Nursing degrees, were presented their nursing pin.  The nurses’ pin dates back to famed nurse Florence Nightengale work during the Crimean War and symbolically initiates new nurses to the profession.

In his Keynote Address, Dr. Michael Wooten, the Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, advised graduates to be courageous and entrepreneurial.  He called out specific graduates who overcame challenges and praised the entire class for persevering through post-Irma struggles to complete their degrees.

Gabrielly Torelli, the Student Government President and Associate in Arts graduate, encouraged her classmates to follow their passions and not to waste time.  Torelli was highly involved with FKCC’s Special Olympics Club and Project ACCESS program for students with intellectual disabilities. She is transferring to the University of Colorado in Boulder to pursue a law degree, but pledges to visit her FKCC family to “defrost.”

FKCC’s spring semester begins January 5.  Information about academic programs, including course schedules and ways to pay for college, can be viewed at www.fkcc.edu.

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