Jefferson Holds Its 58th Spring Commencement Exercises on May 20, 2022

Jefferson Community College (JCC) held its 58th annual spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the McVean Student Center Gymnasium. The 58th Commencement Ceremony was the first commencement ceremony held in-person since 2020. Jefferson’s Class of 2022 is comprised of 335 students who are December 2021, May 2022 and August 2022 candidates for graduation pending satisfactory completion of coursework. Six students received more than one diploma and/or certificate, bringing the total number of degrees and/certificates awarded to 341.

Jefferson’s class of 2022 spans fifty-five years! The youngest member of the class of 2022 is age 17 while the senior member of the class of 2022 is age 71. Jefferson continues to be a strong educational partner of Fort Drum with 41% of the class of 2022 comprised of active duty soldiers (2%) and their family members (30%) and veterans (9%). Jefferson’s active duty and veteran students, along with faculty and staff veterans, were distinguished during the ceremony by red, white and blue cords worn in recognition of their service to our country. 30% of graduates are first-generation students (the first members in their family to attend college). Six students participated in JCC’s optional Honors Program and approximately 53 students are members of JCC’s Tau Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two year colleges.

Eight candidates for graduation from Jefferson Higher Education Center (JHEC) partner SUNY Potsdam participated in Jefferson’s commencement exercise and received their diplomas from SUNY Potsdam. 

The College was honored that Major General Milford Beagle Jr. of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum delivered the keynote address at the commencement exercises.   

Major General Beagle was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from South Carolina State University in 1990 as a distinguished military graduate. He holds master’s degrees from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, and the United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He has served in numerous leadership capacities from the platoon to brigade level and has served in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan in positions ranging from operations officer in tactical combat units to advisor as part of NATO missions. His career assignments have spanned the globe from Hawaii to the Republic of South Korea. Major General Beagle’s most recent assignments were as the Executive Officer to the 35th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Allyn, followed by serving as the Deputy Commanding General (Support), 10th Mountain Division (Light), Fort Drum, New York, and forward deployed in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE, Kuwait. Prior to his return to Fort Drum, he served as the 51st Commanding General, United States Army Training Center and Fort Jackson, Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

The student commencement speaker was Justyce J. Countryman, Watertown. Countryman graduated with his associate in science degree in individual studies and associate in science degree in computer science. With a 3.97 GPA, Countryman earned President’s and Dean’s Lists honors and was a member of the College’s Tau Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He participated in Jefferson’s optional Honors Program and the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). Countryman served on the JCC EverGREEN Committee and the Academic Standards Committee. He was named Outstanding CSTEP Ambassador and Outstanding Computer Science student. He anticipates transferring to SUNY Oswego in the fall to pursue his bachelor’s degree in meteorology.

Several students, faculty and staff were recognized with academic awards and honors during the commencement exercises.

One candidate for graduation was recognized for receiving the State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence earlier this year. This award acknowledges students who have best demonstrated the integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives: community service, athletics, creative and performing arts, leadership and career achievement. Jordan A. Flagg, Henderson, was chosen by SUNY for the 2022 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. 

Flagg received his associate in applied science degree in hospitality and tourism with a concentration in hotel and restaurant management. He anticipates transferring to SUNY Potsdam through the Higher Education Center to pursue his bachelor’s degree in business. He is vice president of the JCC Business Leadership and Career Skills (LCS) club and served as a peer tutor. He is a member of the “Jefferson Cast” representing the College in promotional and advertising materials and volunteered his time to assist with campus food drives. During his time at Jefferson, Flagg earned President’s and Dean’s List honors.

Malachi R. Adkins, Watertown, and Katherine A. Monteith, Watertown, were recognized for being named to the PTK 2022 All-New York Academic Team. To be chosen for the All-New York academic team, students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 and have a history of scholarly achievement and outstanding service to campus or community. Adkins graduated with his associate in arts degree in humanities and social sciences. He anticipates transferring in the fall to SUNY Plattsburgh to pursue a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Monteith graduated with her associate in arts degree in humanities and social sciences. In addition to being a full-time student, Monteith is an intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army Reserves. After graduating from JCC, she plans to begin employment at the National Mall in Washington D.C. as a park ranger interpreter. In the fall, she anticipates transferring to The Catholic University of America to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in history.

The Jefferson Community College Honors Program offers students with exceptional academic skills the opportunity to receive enriched instruction and seven graduating students completed this program. Honors program students elect three courses and enhance them as Honors Options by choosing a project for each and working directly with a faculty member to provide a unique and rewarding educational experience. Class of 2022 members who graduated with Honors Program designation are Malachi R. Adkins of Watertown, Justyce J. Countryman of Watertown, Katherine A. Monteith of Watertown, Olivia G. Patterson of Adams Center, Shante M. Westfield of Watertown, and Kyra M. Daly of Dexter. 

Five members of Jefferson’s faculty/staff were recognized as recipients of the SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The Chancellor’s Awards recognize extraordinary achievement and encourage the continuation of excellence. Jerilyn E. Fairman, Watertown, Associate Vice President, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service; Jessica Leigh Jones, Brownville,  Typist, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service; Jessica Lydia Jones, Cape Vincent, Adjunct Instructor, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching; Heather N. O’Brien, Chaumont, Associate Professor, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service; and Irene S. Wilder, Copenhagen, Assistant Professor, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Chancellor’s Award honorees were bestowed their medallions by Jefferson President Ty A. Stone at the College’s Recognition Celebration held on May 6, 2022. 

Eight candidates for graduation from SUNY Potsdam, Jefferson Higher Education Center (JHEC) partner, participated in the ceremony and received their diplomas from SUNY Potsdam. 

The ceremony was video-streamed on the College’s website beginning at 6:45 p.m. Graduates were lead by Commencement marshals to the Walker Instructional Dining Room, McVean Center, for a professional photo and reception immediately following the ceremony.