IN THIS ISSUE ... Commencement photo collage.................PAGE 3 1,100-plus guests attend Rhythm & RIbs...PAGE 5 SCC Roller Hockey captures ninth title .......PAGE 6
ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Vol. 23, No. 2 | 2011
PTK urges students to ‘Commit to Complete’
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon congratulates and shakes hands with a member of SCC’s graduating class of 2011.
Gov. Jay Nixon addresses grads at 23rd SCC commencement More than 650 receive community college degrees and certificates Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was the keynote speaker at SCC’s 23rd annual commencement on May 14, which celebrated the accomplishments of more than 650 graduates of the class of 2011. The ceremony took place during SCC’s 25th anniversary year. “For a quarter of a century, graduates of St. Charles Community College have gone on to serve their communities and our state with highest distinction,” Nixon said. “You students are about to become part of that tradition.”
“With the steadfast investment and the leadership and vision of St. Charles County, you have come a long way, from a temporary campus with just 400 students, to this thriving complex,” Nixon said. “You stand on the shoulders of some great leaders.” The Governor urged graduates to use their education to promote informed, rational debate on pressing global issues from climate change to sustainable economic development. Gov. Nixon also acknowledged the upcoming
retirement of SCC president John McGuire, and thanked McGuire for his 15 years of outstanding service to the college and the community. “I hope that you have the deepest understanding of how many thousands of lives you have directly and dramatically affected, and on behalf of the people of the state of Missouri, I thank you, Sir.” Nixon said. Also addressing the crowd of nearly 1,500 graduates, faculty, relatives and friends was Sam Imperiale of St. Peters, a returning learner who received an Associate of Arts degree.
SEE A SELECTION OF PHOTOS FROM THE 23RD ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT ON PAGE 3.
On April 28-29, SCC Phi Theta Kappa honor society members encouraged students to sign a pledge to complete their degrees and certifications before leaving the community college to transfer or to enter the job market. The completion pledge is part of a national community college movement (See www. cccompletioncorps.org/ptk) Another Signing Day is in the works for the fall semester, said PTK advisor Christy Gant. In April 2010, leaders of six national organizations representing the nation’s 1,200 community colleges signed the Call to Action, a pledge to increase student completion rates by 50 percent over the next decade. President Barack Obama has called for community colleges to produce an additional 5 million degrees and certificates in the next 10 years, part of his goal to restore the United States as the world leader in college graduates. In February, Missouri joined the Complete College America Alliance of States, which makes college completion a top priority. SCC, along with other public institutions of higher education, will track and report degree completion rates. More on Missouri public college completion initiatives: www.dhe.mo.gov