LCC to hold 85th virtual commencement ceremony

Lower Columbia College’s (LCC’s) 85th annual Commencement ceremony will be held virtually on Friday, June 18 beginning at 6:30 pm. A link to the ceremony will be posted at lowercolumbia.edu/commencement.

This year LCC is awarding 592 associate degrees, 18 certificates of proficiency, and 46 high school diplomas. Sixteen students will earn Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education degrees; LCC’s first graduating class at the applied bachelor’s degree level.

Of the students earning associate degrees, 148 are participants in the Running Start program. They are high school juniors and seniors earning an associate degree and high school diploma (from their home school district) at the same time.

LCC does not designate a valedictorian. Instead, the college recognizes three students with the highest grade point averages and the most rigorous coursework from the following areas: one for academic transfer, one for professional/technical, and one for a bachelor of applied science degree graduate. Called Scholastic Achievement Awards, these are the highest academic honors awarded by LCC.

This year’s Scholastic Achievement Award winners are Savannah Hadler, Meleah Kandoll and Roman Stalick.

Savannah Hadler is a member of LCC’s very first class of Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education students, and will graduate with a 4.0 Grade Point Average. Savannah’s future plans include pursuing a master’s degree after gaining more experience in Early Childhood Education. Her ultimate career goal is to become a professor and contribute to the field by sharing her expertise with aspiring early educators.

Meleah Kandoll received an Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP degree in December with a 4.0 Grade Point Average, and passed her nursing licensure exam a few days later. She is currently working as a surgical nurse at Providence St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through Western Governors University (WGU). When she passed her exam, Meleah was the youngest Registered Nurse in the state of Washington.

Roman Stalick will receive his Associate in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement this quarter with a 4.0 Grade Point Average, and will transfer to the University of Oregon to pursue a degree in Marine Biology. His athletic endeavors include tennis and track, and he has flown model airplanes for the United States Junior National Team.