A Record Number of Graduates at Fall Commencement

College sees 18 percent increase in students petitioning for degrees and certificates

A record number of students petitioned to graduate from Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) at the 2017 Fall Commencement, continuing an upward trend of academic achievement.

The College was asked to confer 1,929 associate degrees and certificates of completion at the graduation ceremony, which took place Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Cleveland.

The total represents an 18 percent increase from last fall and more than doubles the number from five years ago. The rising numbers reflect the College’s commitment to providing Northeast Ohio residents the education and training needed for the jobs of tomorrow.

“Every graduate of Cuyahoga Community College strengthens the overall community,” said Alex Johnson, president of Tri-C. “Their academic achievement builds a foundation for a better future. This is only the start of their success.”

The student Commencement speaker was be Nicole Vaughn, who overcame early academic adversity to earn an Associate of Science degree. She maintained a flawless 4.0 GPA after utilizing the College’s Fresh Start program.

The 26-year-old Parma resident intends to transfer to Baldwin Wallace University in the spring to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in neuroscience. She plans to pursue a career in the health care field.

Classmates selected Vaughn to serve as student speaker at the ceremony and share her story. To read other graduate success stories from the College’s 2017 Fall Commencement class, click here.

This year’s commencement ceremony was held at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center, located at 2000 Prospect Ave. in Cleveland.

January 08, 2018

John Horton, 216-987-4281 john.horton@tri-c.edu