Cap & Gown
Central Wyoming College awards 336 degrees
By Christina Gould
Staff Writer

The 309 students dressed in red caps and gowns Friday night at the Robert A. Peck Arts Center Theater all shared the commonalty of attending the 38th Central Wyoming College commencement ceremony — to walk across the stage and receive a college degree.
The students had similar agendas for the evening, but the class is comprised of students whose backgrounds aren’t so similar, so much so that CWC President Dr. Jo Anne McFarland primarily focused her speech on the diversity of 2008 graduating class.
“Tonight we are awarding 336 degrees, certificates and credentials,” McFarland said, “to 298 students from 31 states and six countries.”
McFarland said 59.4 percent of the graduates are originally from Fremont County, 73 percent are from Wyoming, 25 percent from out of state, and 2 percent are international students. Fifty-three degrees were given to American Indian students, 16 to Hispanics and 86 degrees to minority students overall.
“Behind each one of our graduates, there is a story,” McFarland said.
Whether it is a first-generation graduate, someone who wanted to go back to school after raising a family, or someone who went to college fresh out of high school, McFarland said no two stories are alike.
The oldest graduate Friday evening was 67 years old. The youngest was 18. For some, McFarland said, the night was a “family affair” because there was more than one person from the same family receiving a degrees.
The night was filled also with recognizing the faculty who have helped students get this far.
“All of you have something in common,” McFarland said. “You all benefit from the wonderful expertise of our faculty.”
Following an introduction by vice president for student services Dr. Mohammed Waheed, student senate president Sterling Hall spoke.
“This is the most people I have ever seen in this auditorium,” Hall said. The theater’s official seating capacity is 942.
“After tonight there comes a lot of change ... Congratulations graduates. We are done with one more year. It’s time to welcome another.”
CWC executive vice president for academic services Dr. J.D. Rottweiler introduced the six valedictorians, Lisa M. Hall, Amanda E. Parks, Sara J. Perkins, LeAnn M. Plymale, Katie M. St. John and Darby A. Thomas.
Perkins also made CWC history by being the first to simultaneously receive her high school diploma from Riverton High School and her associate’s degree after being enrolled full-time in the BOCHES dual-credit program.
“As long as I put my mind to it, there is no such thing as impossible,” Perkins said to the audience.
CWC’s nationally ranked, all-academic volleyball team was well-represented in the small group of top achieving students. Hall, St. John and Thomas are volleyball players.
Other students who graduated with highest honors were Richard Cameron Harris, Karen Lynn Peterson, Susan A. Freeze and Karen M. Matson.