CTC celebrates first fall graduation

Special to Leader-Press

Central Texas College (CTC) held its first-ever fall commencement ceremony on Friday at the Bell County Expo Center. Nearly 280 graduates received associate degrees in science, arts, applied science as well as certificates of completion. Keynote speaker for the event was Jimmy Towers, chairman of the CTC Board of Trustees. Graduates also heard welcoming remarks from Col. Henry Perry, Fort Hood Garrison commander.
While most graduates were from the central Texas area, some students traveled to the inaugural event from CTC continental sites in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Georgia, North Carolina and Oklahoma. Among the graduates were more than 150 active-duty service members of the U.S. Army, 52 in the Air Force, four in the Navy, three Marines and three members of the National Guard. The average age of the graduates was 33 with the oldest graduate at 74 years and two 17-year-olds as the youngest graduates. In total, 88 Associate of Applied Science degrees, 159 Associate of Arts degrees, 25 Associate of Science degrees and nine Certificates of Completion were conferred.
Three students were recognized as highest honors graduates for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Eyara Collazo-Rosario came from Lawton, Okla. to receive an Associate of Applied Science in criminal justice. Rebecca Vogel traveled from the Houston area to receive an Associate of Applied Science in information technology. Also graduating with highest honors was Tiahna Pantovich, Associate of Arts.
Two students graduating the CTC Online High School were present to receive their high school diplomas. They were Haley Isbell and Hunter Madison. 
The CTC fall 2017 semester graduates from Copperas Cove receiving an associate of applied science were Daniel Castillo, Nicole Como, Gary Kent, Margaret Matney, Katherine O’Shea and Amber Turner. Receving an associate of arts degree were Veronica Alarcon, William Ames, Navar Bryant, Katie Cervantes-Cuevas, Steven Daymude, Summer Eaton, Mar John Ecija, Sydney Fittro, Tramesiya Haywood, Nicole Metts, Sydney Sierra, Jacqulyn Simon, Lindsey Stanbrough, Ruby Wagle, Eric Williams and Leslie Wolfe.
Students receiving their certificate of completion were Leilani Gray, Olga Maner and Ronald Smith.
Kempner residents receiving an associate of applied science included Gilda Donis-Lake. Sydney Ray and Vickie Gilliam received an associate of arts. 
Gatesville residents who graduated include Justin Smith, associate of applied science; Alex McGowan and Shawn Pack, associate of arts.