Happy times as 166 Grades walk into their future with KPC degrees

Happy times as 166 Grades walk into their future with KPC degrees

Surrounded by friends and family in the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium, Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) proudly graduated 166 students at this year’s 45th annual 2015 commencement ceremony. Waiting to celebrate with these graduates, many of whom frequented her office, Assistant Professor of Counseling, Christina Stuive reflected on the institution of KPC, “KPC functions as a community within a community, valuing the development of students at a variety of different points in their lives. KPC meets students where they are at and helps them achieve their goals both in terms of their degree and their own personal development,” she said. Celebrating the accomplishments of these graduates, keynote speaker Jane Haigh addressed the audience with a commencement speech highlighting the value in studying the humanities along with the more technical programs that KPC offers, reiterating multiple times that most job listings in this day and age list “Great written and oral communication skills,” among their top priorities.

Illustrating the validity of that sentiment and the quality of education that KPC offers, valedictorian Hunter Hamrick, graduating with an Associates of Applied Science, Process Technology, gave a speech to remember as he correlated the process of attending and graduating from college with a degree in the exact field for which he was trained. Notably, among many other awards, Jean Brockel was presented with the UA Meritorious Service Award for her outstanding contributions in providing educational opportunities to our local community.

Echoing the earlier passionate statements of Stuive, graduate Gwendolyn Nelson, Associate of Arts, Magna Cum Laude, cited the most beneficial aspect in attending KPC was “Learning to work with so many different kinds of people.” She most enjoyed, “the atmosphere and environment that was created by the teachers and the opportunity to experience how our community operates,” she said. Similarly, Angela Oleson, graduating with an Associates of General Business, expressed appreciation in, “Learning to deal with so many different kinds of people was a great experience and I really appreciated how flexible both the teachers and the schedule were, providing the opportunity to work while going to college.”

Happy times as 166 Grades walk into their future with KPC degrees

More in News

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Kenai wildlife refuge seeking information on missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

The Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team conducts a training mission in Seward, Alaska in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team
Anchor Point fundraiser to benefit Alaska rescue and recovery group

Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization established in 2016.

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic staff (left to right) Angie Holland, RN; Jane Rohr, Sonja Martin Young, CNM; Robin Holmes, MD; and Cherie Bole, CMA provide an array of reproductive and sexual health services. (Photo provided by KBFPC)
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic releases report on STI trends on the Kenai Peninsula

The report pulls from data gathered from 2024 to early 2025.

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

Most Read