Carol Hoffmann and Whitney Aspery, both students at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, have been named to the 2014 KCTCS All-Academic Team and will speak at the WKCTC commencement on Saturday, May 10 at Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center.Hoffmann and Aspery, both McCracken County residents, are among 961 candidates for graduation and will be the student speakers for both commencement ceremonies at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The KCTCS All-Academic Team is sponsored by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and recognizes outstanding students of community and technical colleges. The selected students successfully represent high achievement in the areas of scholarship, service and leadership.
Both Hoffmann and Aspery said being selected to the KCTCS All-Academic Team is a tremendous honor and they both look forward to sharing their stories at commencement. “I hope that everyone can find something in it to relate to,” said Hoffmann. “My story is not so different from that of anyone else, but it shows that no matter what your are going through, you can do great things.” Aspery added that hard work and dedication pays off. “I am hoping to deliver a speech that encourages students to follow their hearts and to never give up.”
Hoffmann started taking classes part-time WKCTC in fall 2011, but after the company she worked for closed, she became a full-time student and was apprehensive about the transition. “I was worried about coming back to school; I wasn’t sure I had what it took to make it,” said Hoffmann. But with the help of WKCTC faculty and staff and the support of family and friends, Hoffmann is now earning her Associate of Applied Science degree in information technology with honors. “All of my teachers showed me new things about myself....and showed me that I can do whatever I want to do, Hoffmann said. “This is the first leg of my journey, and no matter how old or young you are, take pride in completing this and growing as a person.” Hoffmann plans transfer to Murray State University to continue her education.
Aspery graduated from Lone Oak High School in spring 2012 and enrolled at WKCTC that fall. She will earn an Associate of Science degree and plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. Apsery’s long-term goal is to become a speech-language pathologist and work children within a school system. She credits her professors who have helped her during her time at WKCTC and gives special thanks her friends and family for their constant love and support. “I have enjoyed my time spent here at WKCTC. It has prepared me for the next chapter in my life this fall; I can’t wait to see what all God has in store for me. “
Dr. Anton Reese, executive director, Student Success Center at The University of Tennessee, will be the keynote speaker for the evening. Reece was formally the dean of student affairs at Paducah Community College, one of the founding institutions of WKCTC. He earned his doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in education psychology and research with an emphasis on collaborative learning.
The WKCTC 2014 nursing pinning ceremony will be held prior to commencement at 2:30 p.m. This year, eighty-one nursing students will cross the Carson Center stage to receive nursing pins in their respective programs with 47 receiving pins representing the completion of the associate degree in nursing program and 34 receiving pins representing the completion of the practical nursing program.