COLUMBUS -- Among the students dressed in green and the instructors dressed in black, were daughter and father at the 38th annual commencement ceremony for Central Community College-Columbus.
Todd Bosak, an industrial tech teacher, was able to see his daughter, Katie Bosak, receive her associate of science degree at the ceremony Friday evening at the college.
He was like any parent or family member in attendance, though. He was proud of her accomplishment and of the next step she will be taking in perusing a career in radiology. Bosak, 20, of Genoa, was one of only two CCC-Columbus students who were selected for the University of Nebraska Medical Center Division of Radiation Science Technology Education program. The college started a partnership with UNMC more than a year ago.
Bosak was among the nearly 200 graduating students. Of those about 120 took part in the ceremony. The students heard from guest commencement speaker David Finn, product support manager for North America with the Caterpillar company.
Finn spoke to the students about transitions. By using examples in his own life, Finn told the graduates there are lessons he learned growing up as young child who loved to play musical instruments to his 39 years career at Caterpillar.
“You are now in this transition to your next adventure. Best wishes for the rest of your lives. Keep on trying and learning to say yes to opportunities, and keep an open mind because you just don’t know what it is like until you try something,” he said.
Also during the ceremony Cheryl Brandenburgh was recognized as the Outstanding Alumni. Brandenburgh is the Business Recruitment manager for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. She graduated from CCC-Columbus in 1975 with an associate of arts degree.
English instructor Kathy Ewers received the faculty member of the year award.
Two men, Dr. LaVern Franzen and Jack Crowley, were recognized for their contributions for the college. They both are retiring.
Franzen is the president of Central Community College and has been involved with the college system for more than 40 years. Crowley has served as the executive director of the Central Community College Foundation since it was created in 1989.
The following, by city, is a list of the 197 students who graduated Friday:
Thirty members of the class achieved an accumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or higher during their college career and graduated with honors. Their names are preceded by an asterisk (*).
Recipients of degrees and diplomas were:
Associate of Applied Science Degree
ARLINGTON: Jamie L. Woehl, business technology;
BATTLE CREEK: *Christopher M. Hassler, machine tool technology;
CEDAR RAPIDS: *Sarah M. Majerus, business administration;
CLARKSON: Lacey M. Coufal, business technology;
COLUMBUS: Cody J. Blaser, agribusiness; Brett P. Alswager, Brandy R. Atherton, Jeanette J. Bayer, Ashley K. Bell, Bernardo Grimaldo, Mark W. Henry, Lacey R. Kool, Anthony C. Lange, *Kimberly K. Liebig, Angelica C. Lopez, Katie A. Nosal, Donald L. Porter Jr., Crystal J. Riley, Efrain Rosas, Abbi M. Saalfeld, Rudy A. Salazar, Kendall B. Walsh, Amanda J. Wilch, Nichole K. Wilch, *Joan M. Wilkins and Nycole R. Zelazny, business administration; Devin L. DeHaven, Ashley E. Molacek and James R. Steele, business technology; Andria M. Kobus and Danielle E. Mueller, commercial art; Alan C. Wilkins, criminal justice; *Kevin M. Baugher, Cody A. Kinzer, Jesse A. Nelson, Timothy J. Novak and Lisa J. Pospisil, drafting; *Beth A. Carstens, early childhood education; Cody J. Benesch, Troy B. Medinger Sean A. Settgast, Simon M. Settgast and Margie P. Swanson, electronics technology; *Richard L. Baumgart, Richard A. Haas Jr., Kevin L. Huntley, Bryan A. Korus, Cesar A. Vidal, Jorge L. Vidal and *Kelvin A. Walker, industrial technology; Jose M. Velasco, information technology; Susan K. Weeder, quality control.
CRETE: Lance F. Regan, quality control;
DAVID CITY: Willis J. Smith, agribusiness;
FREMONT: Vicky G. Cline, business administration;
FULLERTON: *Joseph L. Johnson, Lacey R. Klassen and *David L. Matheke, commercial art;
GENOA: Kristen K. Johnson and *Pamela L. Urban, business administration; Natasha M. Ramaekers, business technology; and Danielle M. Weisheit, commercial art;
GOTHENBURG: Jessica V. Galvan, business technology;
GREELEY: Jenny M. Goodrich, business administration and business technology;
HOLDREGE: Melissa D. Zeller, business technology, and Joseph A. Olson, quality control;
HOLSTEIN: *Audrey A. Churchill, drafting;
HOWELLS: Jessica A. Svoboda, business administration and business technology;
HUMPHREY: Travis J. Hassebrook, agribusiness;
LEIGH: Troy J. Hobza, information technology;
LINCOLN: Kayla M. Sharp, business administration, and Kylie J. Markey, commercial art;
LINWOOD: *Rodney G. Hoelscher, industrial technology;
MADISON: Kacie Nykodym, early childhood education;
NORFOLK: Joseph W. Cipra, drafting;
NORTH PLATTE: *Rebecca A. Renken, business technology;
OSCEOLA: Christine M. Drott, business administration;
OVERTON: Amy M. Barnes, business technology;
PLATTE CENTER: Owen A. Seamann, agribusiness; Heather R. Goering, business administration; and Thomas D. Heesacker, electronics technology;
SCHUYLER: Nicholas A. Brichacek, Rebecca L. Coufal, Armando Vargas and Aubry L. Zrust, business administration;
SHELBY: Nestor I. Dominguez, industrial technology;
SPALDING: *Tracy M. Collins, commercial art;
TEKAMAH: Amber M. Jones, commercial art;
YORK: Jesse D. Studnicka, agribusiness.
Associate of Arts Degree
BELLEVUE: Tremayne Lamont and Avery L. Walker;
COLUMBUS: Rachel A. Bosak, Militza Cahuana, Scott M. Cudly, Michelle D. DeArcos, Tara M. Hill, Travis W. Hill, Andrea M. Hoessel, Levi S. Howe, Sara D. Jensen, Carrie E. Kubler, Tina L. Oborny, Allen R. Prothman, *Beverly A. Prothman, Malisa G. Ragar, Maggie J. Reeves, Jasmine D. Rosno, Laura M. Rubeck, Michael K. Waak and Elisabeth M. Wielgus;
CRAIG: Daniel L. Jacobson;
DAVID CITY: Randall R. Swartz;
DODGE: *Steven J. Ruzek;
GENOA: Michelle L. Small and Sara A. Small;
LINDSAY: Allie A. Steensnes;
LONG PINE: Beth M. Crooker;
MONROE: *John R. Harms, Jesse D. Konz and *Carla J. Stenzel;
NORFOLK: Lucas A. Stechl
PETERSBURG: Melanie A. Remmereid;
RISING CITY: *Jill R. Martens;
SCHUYLER: *Wei Liu;
SCRIBNER: Gregory D. Wegner;
SHELTON: *Ashley J. Woodman;
SPALDING: Monica M. Ragar;
WEEPING WATER: Kelsey N. Carey;
LATINA, ITALY: Miljan Marinkovic.
Associate of Science Degree
COLUMBUS: Desaray M. Dunham, Cassandra L. Earley, Heidi A. French, Marla K. Graff, Douglas C. Holt Jr., Kimberly A. Mihulka and *Kevin M. Swartz;
CULBERTSON: *Allison M. Smith;
ELM CREEK: *Jordan E. Kottich;
GENOA: Katelyn J. Bosak;
NELIGH: *Leah B. Anderson;
NORTH PLATTE: Dane V. Carlini;
SHELBY: *Lindsey M. Augustin;
WAKEFIELD: *Amanda N. Nelson.
Associate Degree in Nursing
CLARKSON: Tara S. Mangelsen;
COLUMBUS: Alysha N. Anson, Cara M. Belina, Lori A. Busse, Angela M. DeLancey, Rosa L. Harrington, Kimberly D. Hayward, Amy J. Thalken and Jody M. Willison;
GENOA: Rebecca K. Czapla;
LEIGH: Audrey F. Robertson;
RICHLAND: *Meridith M. Lutjelusche;
SCHUYLER: *Patsy J. Barta.
Diploma
ALBION: Lacey A. Bittner and Wendy L. Smith, business technology, and Jena M. Mangelsen, practical nursing;
ASHTON: Brenda J. Jerabek, business technology;
BELLWOOD: Buck A. Mills, industrial technology;
BRUNO: Kristina M. Johnson, practical nursing;
COLUMBUS: Carroll E. Vacha, business administration; Kimberly A. Gronenthal and Debra M. Saalfeld, business technology; Amanda M. Ewert, Amanda K. Gould and Ali J. Sell, early childhood education; and Beth M. Babel, Chelsey L. Batenhorst, Carrie S. Blum, Brooke E. Francis, Shelly J. Glatter, Beth R. Greisen, Lori A. Haddock, Amy J. Lyon, Betsy J. Nekl, Kristal A. Steinmark, Kristi L. Thege and Kayla A. Ueding, practical nursing;
DAVID CITY: Elizabeth A. Egger, and Coren K. Pflum, practical nursing;
GENOA: Brooke D. Kleckner, business technology, and Amber D. Wiedeman, practical nursing;
HOLDREGE: Victoria K. Stadler, business technology;
HOWELLS: Bonnie E. Blum, business technology, and Barbara J. Cech, early childhood education;
HUMPHREY: Rheanna M. Groteluschen, practical nursing;
LINDSAY: Jana K. Laudenklos, practical nursing;
MARQUETTE: Calvin J. Rahrs, welding technology;
MONROE: Carla J. Stenzel, agribusiness;
NORTH BEND: Alison A. Kitt and Melissa M. Poessnecker, practical nursing;
NORFOLK: Sara J. Strong, practical nursing;
SCHUYLER: Danielle V. Galvan and Cheryl L. Timm, practical nursing;
SCRIBNER: Marcia A. Johnson, business technology;
SILVER CREEK: Tara R. Urkoski, practical nursing.
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