Jefferson Holds 60th Spring Commencement on May 17, 2024

Jefferson Community College (JCC) held its 60th annual spring commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the McVean Student Center Gymnasium. The Class of 2024 is comprised of approximately 349 students who are December 2023 graduates and May 2024 and August 2024 candidates for graduation with nearly 355 diplomas and certificates to be conferred.  

Jefferson alumna, Karen L. Belcher, Mexico, NY, executive director of the Food Bank of Central New York (CNY), delivered the keynote address at the commencement exercises.  

Commencement speaker Belcher, Class of 1992, first joined the Food Bank of CNY in 2001 as controller and then advanced to director of finance/chief financial officer, followed by the appointment to Chief Operating Officer, and then executive director. During her 23-year tenure, the agency has grown from 27 staff members and 3 major programs to 75 staff members and 8 major programs that help address food insecurity across 11 counties, including Jefferson. Belcher is a licensed New York State (NYS) Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants. She serves on the Board of Directors for Feeding New York State and is treasurer of the Finance Committee, treasurer of the Northeast Region of Food Banks, and a member of the Human Services Leadership Council of CNY, currently serving as co-chair of its Advocacy Committee. In 2023, Belcher was appointed to the MICRON Community Engagement Committee for Central New York by Governor Hochul and has served on this committee for the past 12 months. She has been recognized for her work with the Transformational Leader Award from the Central New York Business Journal in 2016, and as a finalist in 2012 for the Financial Executive of the Year Award from the Business Journal News Network. In addition to holding an associate degree in accounting from Jefferson, Belcher holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in higher education, both from SUNY Polytechnic Institute. 

The student commencement speaker was Mason L.M. Archer of Carthage. Archer graduated with an associate in arts (A.A.) degree in humanities and social sciences. He holds a 4.0 grade point average and received President’s List honors. Additionally, Archer received the 2024 Outstanding Liberal Arts Student award. He plans to transfer to SUNY Potsdam in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in teaching. 

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

Two candidates for graduation were 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. Award recipients are Ashton R. Matthew, Watertown, and Adrian L. Rathbun, Redwood. 

Loralei C. Deasy, Mexico, was recognized for being named to the All-New York Academic Team for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for community colleges. 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. 

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 2024 members who are graduating with Honors Program designation are Eddie E. Barton, II, Chaumont, Loralei C. Deasy, Mexico, Jonah S. Dunn, Dexter, Cheyenne T. Hammond, Mannsville, Ashley C. Howland, Sandy Creek, Tye LaClair, Watertown, Morgan E. Moser, Croghan, Jordana C. Mosley, Watertown, Sierra M. Omlin, Wenatchee, Washington, Khwezi Lebohang Pezisa, Midrand, South Africa, Alejandro Rojas Bahamon, Villavicencio, Columbia, Sarah Schindler, Turin, and Logan R. Towles, Adams.

Forty-six (46) students were recognized as members of JCC’s Tau Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. 

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. Michael B. Avery, Sackets Harbor, Professor of English, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service; Andrew N. Draper, Watertown, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching; Dean R. Dyer, Adams, Instructional Technical Specialist, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service; Beverly M. Norton, Watertown, secretary, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service; and Kelly Rusho Boyer, Clayton, adjunct instructor of lab sciences, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. Chancellor’s Award honorees will also be recognized at the College’s annual Recognition Celebration taking place on May 21, 2024. 

Seven students graduated with their bachelor’s and/or master’s degrees from SUNY Potsdam, Jefferson Higher Education Center partner. Graduates are Madison Cloonan, bachelor of science degree in business administration, Donald Wayne Eacho, Jr., bachelor of science degree in business administration, Jada L. Gallimore, bachelor of science degree in business administration, Larkin Guenet, bachelor of science degree in business administration, Johnathan H. Barnes, bachelor of arts degree in childhood education birth to grade 6, Kelsey P. Case, bachelor of arts degree in childhood education birth to grade 6, and Jackie L. Saint-Fleur, master of science degree in management.   

Approximately 37% of graduates are first generation students (meaning neither of their parents/guardians hold an associate degree). The class of 2024 spanned 44 years, students ages 18 to 62. Jefferson continues to be a strong educational partner of Fort Drum with 31% of the class of 2024 comprised of active-duty soldiers and their family members and veterans. Jefferson’s active duty and veteran students, along with faculty and staff veterans, were distinguished during the ceremony by wearing red, white, and blue cords in recognition of their service to our country. 

The color guard was provided by the Carthage Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC). 

The ceremony was simulcast into the Sturtz Theater as well as live streamed on the College’s website. Each graduate received up to four tickets for guest seating in the gymnasium.