'Tomorrow is a blank canvas:' LCCC graduates more than 1,800 students Saturday

ELYRIA — Lorain County Community College's 57th commencement celebration saw first baccalaureate graduates from a community college in Ohio. Jared Dumont, DeAndre Lurry and Brandon Filker earned bachelor's of applied ccience in microelectronic manufacturing, or MEMS. THey were part of the more than 1,800 individuals earning degrees or certificates from the 58-year-old institution Saturday morning — putting it one step closer to its goal of 10,000 individuals by 2025. President Marcia Ballinger noted half of Saturday's graduates are the first in their families to earn a college degree; and 94 of its graduates earned an associate degree while still in high school through College Credit Plus or Early College programs. Another 365 graduates are earning degrees through the college's University Partnership program, the largest class in its 25-year-history. "When the pandemic began in 2020 and turned our lives upside down, you made the bold choice to continue forward with your education," she said during the virtual ceremony posted to the college's website. "Faced with challenges, you chose to see the opportunity before you. In an era of rapid change, you have remained focused on your future and you completed your degree." The theme for the class of 2021 is opportunity. Twenty-one doors decorate the campus, recognizing the opportunities provided by LCCC's programs, partnerships and certificates. For Student Senate President Zarai Aquino, opportunities come from saying "yes." Aquino, who is working toward her degree in organizational leadership from Cleveland State University via the University Partnership Program, never thought she would go to college. The youngest of seven children, she grew up in Puerto Rico, graduating high school there at age 16. She expected to spend her time working with her mother, until Hurricane Maria decimated her home in 2017. After a month without water, electricity or work, she and her mother moved to Washington, D.C., to stay with family. From there, Aquino came to Lorain to stay with her sister and eventually enrolled at LCCC. "Class of 2021, I encourage you to keep saying yes," she said. "You already have said yes to new opportunities by being here today and earning your degree. … Keep saying yes when new doors of opportunity show up. Be sure to walk through them with hope and confidence." This year's commencement had two keynote speakers: U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner. "COVID-19 might be able to prevent you from walking across a stage ... but i would contend that no virus can diminish what this achievement truly means," Gardner said. He highlighted the three MEMS graduates, who all have full-time jobs in their field of study. Cardona pointed to the community of support each graduate cultivated — from classmates to family members. Life changed drastically in March 2020, yet Saturday's graduates came together with friends and family, volunteered at LCCC's food pantry or sewed masks with the theater department. "Tomorrow is a blank canvas and today, you're equipped with the right tools and skills to fill it with vibrant colors," Cardona said. "Today, you're prepared to define your life and make your mark on the world. I encourage you to color outside the lines, and if you ever find yourself needing to tear out the page and start over, know that you have a strong, proud LCCC community for support to help you get back on track." The virtual commencement ceremony is available through May 23 at commencement.lorainccc.edu/. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.