Ozarka College graduates and their guests filled the John E. Miller Auditorium for 2011 Graduation ceremonies held Thursday, May 12, 2011.

The ceremony began with an invocation given by Ozarka College Vice President for Finance, Tina Wheelis. Ozarka College President, Dr. Richard Dawe, welcomed everyone to the event and introduced members of the Ozarka Board of Trustees, and dignitaries who were present for the ceremony. He also recognized longtime retiring faculty member Judy Cannady who served as Grand Marshall, leading the graduates into the ceremony.

Along with Cannady, Faculty Council Chair, Trish Miller and Faculty of the Year, David Mitchell also served as Grand Marshalls. A new aspect of the Commencement ceremony was the presentation of the Ozarka College Academic Mace to display during the service. An academic mace is a tradition for colleges and universities which dates back to the first universities founded in the middle ages. It symbolizes authority, learning and scholarship, history, reputation, and values. Ozarka's mace was handcrafted by woodturning artisan and friend of the College, Dr. Wright Pillow, who served as the primary architect and first Executive Director of the Arkansas Craft School. He donated his craftsmanship and presented the mace to the College in September of 2010.

Dr. Dawe then introduced Senator Shane Broadway, the 2011 Commencement speaker. Broadway serves as Interim Director for the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). He is a member of Governor Mike Beebe’s full cabinet as well as the Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, an appointed group of state government leaders charged with creating 21st Century jobs and skilled workers. An Arkansas State University alumnus, Broadway served three terms as a representative for Pulaski and Saline Counties, and two terms in the senate. He was elected speaker of the house by his colleagues in 2001.

To begin his address, Senator Broadway congratulated the graduates on behalf of Governor Beebe and the State of Arkansas. He encouraged graduates to remember how they got to this point in their lives and to be sure and thank those who influenced them toward educational success.

He also reminded them to find a way to give back to Ozarka College and their community; as well as continuing to pursue their dreams beyond this point. The highlight of his address was pointing out to the graduates how they are an example to those around them.

After Broadway's inspirational comments, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Mike DeLong, presented the class of graduates. Vice President for Student Services, Ron Helm and Registrar, Zeda Wilkerson introduced the Ozarka College graduates; and Director of Adult Education, Dr. T. Wayne Wilson, introduced the GED graduates for diplomas. President Dawe and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Ben Cooper of Melbourne awarded the graduates their diplomas.

Phi Theta Kappa and student ambassadors assisted as ushers. Ozarka College Board of Trustee, Larry Sullivan delivered the Benediction. Graduates and guests were invited to attend a cake and punch reception after the ceremony and to join the newly organized Ozarka College Alumni Association.

Students completing their studies with an overall grade point average of 3.75 or higher in a certificate or associate degree program are designated as graduating Magna Cum Laude. Students who complete with an overall grade point average of 3.50 to 3.74 are designated as graduating Cum Laude.

Achieving Magna Cum Laude in the Associate of Arts in Teaching program was Meredith Ann Cole of Franklin, Angela L. Goodman of Ash Flat, Jennifer L. Gotte of Cherokee Village, Randall D. Keech of Mountain View, and Joseph W. Smith of Mountain Home.

Graduating Cum Laude (with a GPA of 3.50 to 3.74) in the AAT program was Rachel Sarah Gaskins of Salem, Mary Lou Kirby of Hardy, Karen Sue Mullins of Mammoth Spring, Carrie Jean Ragland of Marshall, Cole P. Severns of Melbourne, Sarah D. Taylor of Franklin, and Aaron Alan Wilkins of Mountain View.

Other graduates receiving an AAT degree were Ashley Nichole Fulks of Timbo, Lisa M. Goodman of Mountain View, Carmaleta D. McMurray of Mountain View, Rebecca A. Vander Vort of Cherokee Village, Autumn Wagoner of Sage, and Bethanie L. Wallace of Cherokee Village.

Graduating Magna Cum Laude with an Associate of Arts degree was Heidi Amerson of Jonesboro, Brian James Avey of Mountain View, Keith Travis Bagwell of Williford, Melissa K. Bradshaw of Cherokee Village, Victoria M. Cartwright of Mountain View, Mary Marie Goines of Sidney, Jennifer L. Gotte of Cherokee Village, Shonda Denise Harmon of Melbourne, Shawnda Lee Hunter of Cherokee Village, Leslie Kay Mason of Mountain View, Jennifer McSparren of Melbourne, Darcee N. Morris of Salem, Brian G. Neel of Cave City, Courtney L. Selph of Franklin, Jessica L. Sellers of Hardy, Brandy Nicole Shell of Powhatan, Joseph W. Smith of Mountain Home, Rebecca A. Stamm of Ash Flat, Kellie Traylor of Timbo, Theresa Marie Van Orman of Mountain View, Robert Linden Whitlow of Cherokee Village, and Hazel E. Wilcox of Mammoth Spring.

Graduating Cum Laude with Associate of Arts degrees: Tonya Ann Ballard of Horseshoe Bend, Amy Gooch of Cherokee Village, Jonell Green of Mountain View, Christian Dawn Huffmaster of Hardy, Mary Lou Kirby of Hardy, Gerri A. Martinez of Melbourne, Lisa Mae Misenheimer of Mountain View, Cassandra Lynn Morrison of Mountain View, Allene A. Rackley of Mountain View, Christina RaeAnn Raker of Timbo, Cole P. Severns of Melbourne, Austin J. Smith of Fox, Scott O. Walker of Brockwell, and Aaron A. Wilkins of Mountain View.

Other Associate of Arts graduates were: Sarah E. Alexander of Mammoth Spring; Amy K. Barnes of Hardy, Gail A. Baze of Harriet, Bobbi Jo Brabon of Horseshoe Bend, Everett Burns of Mountain View, Keressa L. Campbell of Brockwell, Melissa Danyale Campbell of Mountain View, Samantha D. Dennison of Violet Hill, Heather L. Edwards of Violet Hill, Douglas Charles Face of Melbourne, Aaron Joseph Fowler of Ash Flat, Lisa Jean Frey of Cherokee Village, Ashley N. Fulks of Timbo, Lindsay K. Gayler of Mountain View, Lauren Gentry of Mountain View, Elyse Steen Gnade of Mountain View, Lisa M. Goodman of Mountain View, Kandis T. Goodwin of Hot Springs National Park, Andrew J. Hayes Mountain View, Sheryln A. Homod of Melbourne, Christine N. Kodrich of Horseshoe Bend, Carrie M. Le Jeune of Ash Flat, Levi C. McCurley of Mount Pleasant, Shirley Jean Miller of Ash Flat, Kelli L. Orf of Oxford, Amy M. Painter of Salem, Adam Clayton Peek of Melbourne, Carla L. Schreiber of Hardy, Jessica Roe Ann Smith of Mount Pleasant, Chalene Danele Stapleton of Wideman, Michael S. Sutterfield of Fayetteville, Kaitlin Rose Terry of Mountain View, Alyxandra L. Wallace of Glencoe, Kayla Dawn Walters of Melbourne, Shelby Joy White of Mountain View, Dillon Lee Williams of Marcella, Murphy Leila Williams of Ash Flat, Martha Ann Wilson of Mountain View, Tara Cherie Wise of Cherokee Village, and Gage Wolford of Franklin.

Magna Cum Laude graduates within Associate of Applied Sciences were Roman Mackensy Mabes of Viola, and Christopher John Medley of Cave City in Automotive Service Technology; Jeteela D. Fletcher of Mountain View, and Kathy L. Lovenstein of Mountain View in Business Technology; Chasidy L. Cleaver of Batesville, and Tammy Ragle of Batesville in Culinary Arts; Martha Jones of Evening Shade in General Technology; Mary A. Anderson of Salem in Health Information Management; Charlotte A. Billingsley of Melbourne, Crystal M. Brokaw of Sage, Whitney L. Cooper of Melbourne, Michelle L. Erickson of Pocahontas, and Gladys L. Sparacio of Hardy in Registered Nursing.

Cum Laude AAS Graduates are Steven Trent Owens of Swifton in Culinary Arts; Carita Jo Pearl Baird of Mountain View, and Jennifer Suzette Carmichael of Mountain View in General Technology; Larry D. Casey of Ash Flat in Health Information Management; Kayla L. Finley of Sidney, Leilani O. Jackson of Melbourne, Barbara A. Lewis of Mountain Home, and Amanda K. Tedeschi of Melbourne in Registered Nursing.

Other Associate of Applied Science graduates included: Robert C. Brewer of Mountain View, Sky P. Burchett of Cherokee Village, Pamela G. Cornish of Sidney, Christina Janice Falk of Mount Pleasant, Paula Joann Farlie of Ash Flat,

Nicole L. Mann of Williford, Stephen D. Parker of Franklin, Merriedth Ann Province of Salem, Janice K. Reed of Henderson, Roxanne L. Sherrell of Cherokee Village, Christine A. Weeks of Mountain View, and Valerie Ann Sheppard Wells of Batesville in Business Technology; Phillip Carl Casey of Pineville, Haley Nadean Hamby of Calico Rock, and Bobby Allen Switzer of Onia in Culinary Arts; Kayla R. Crymes of Mountain View, Ruth E. French of Hardy, and Casey Lee Rutledge of Cherokee Village in General Technology; Wendy Louise Halk of Mountain View, Tonya Gail Morrow of Sidney, Christina Jean Needle of Melbourne, Tabitha Ann Smith of Mountain View, Nicole L. Tate of Melbourne, Paula Michelle Treat of Marcella, and Stephanie Rochelle Younger of Mountain View in Health Information Management; Audra M. Fletcher of Timbo, Kagni L. Gillihan of Melbourne, Ashton J. Glenn of Mountain View, Joshua F. Gooch of Cherokee Village, Brett L. Goodson of Salem, Rhiannon Masson of Sidney, Ashley M. Ortgiesen of Pocahontas, Tina J. Parrish of Rector, Andrea K. Prondzinski of Pocahontas, Susan R. Rhodes of Ash Falt, and Jenni M. Slifer of Melbourne in Registered Nursing.

Technical Certificates were awarded Magna Cum Laude to Roman Mackensy Mabes of Viola, and Lisa Schreiner of Sage in Automotive Service Technology; Kayla Graham of Leslie in Culinary Arts; Carrie L. Attebury of Cherokee Village in Early Childhood Education; Lisa Berdeja of Cave City, Kelly Joe Cannon of Cave City, Naomi Cathleen Clingan of Salem, Vanessa Adred Falwell of Evening Shade, Cortney L. Goodwin of Cherokee Village, Misty Dawn McRee of Cave City, Lisa F. Montgomery of Horseshoe Bend, Teresa Mulderig of Oxford, Trista Denee Nichols of Edgemont, Jessie Anne Praught of Poughkeepsie, Leslie A. Price of Ash Flat, Debrah Marie Smith of Williford, Meagan Elaine Taylor of Cave City, Christy Marie Thielman of Violet Hill, Jennifer D. Wess of Williford, Emily Lynn Wheelis of Cherokee Village, Brenda Darlene Wiley of Evening Shade, and Myrtle Francis Wright of Strawberry in Licensed Practical Nursing.

Cum Laude Technical Certificates were awarded to Cody Nelson Jackson of Melbourne in Automotive Service Technology; Carita Jo Baird of Mountain View in Health Information and Health Professions - Allied Health; Donna S. Arnold of Guion, Sarah Beth Cochran of Salem, Margo Elysia Del Real of Timbo, Wanda S. Freeman of Salem, Lisa J. Furr of Cave City, Amy Nicole Goad of Cherokee Village, Yvette C. Grisham of Horseshoe Bend, Lorinda Willingham Harper of Mountain View, Erica L. Jewett of Melbourne, Megan Lariane Kulczycki of Cherokee Village, Sarah L. Morehead of Melbourne, Christina Diane Patton of Mountain View, Stephanie Leann Pittman of Guion, Bernice D. Reed of Hardy, Sherry Regina Reeves of Melbourne, Cynthia C. Rush of Melbourne, Laura Kristen Stair of Mountain View, Kristy G. Tate of Melbourne, Sandra Jo Tolman of Melbourne, Casey Lane Townsend of Calico Rock, and Margaret M. Whittle of Salem in Licensed Practical Nursing.

Also receiving Technical Certificates were John Edward Burchett of Melbourne, Thomas A. Musgrove of Salem, and Christopher W. Sims of Salem in Automotive Service Technology; Phillip C. Casey of Pineville, and Michael W. Worch of Melbourne in Culinary Arts; Lauran-Marie DiPierdomenico of Violet Hill, Chasity K. Farris of Mount Pleasant, and Jennifer Owens of Horseshoe Bend in Early Childhood Education; Melvine Dillehay of Batesville in Health Professions - Allied Health; Danielle Allgood of Batesville, Alyse N. Asher of Hardy, Britni Nichol Bateman of Calico Rock, Amy R. Billingsley of Ash Flat, Tatum L. Bishop of Melbourne, Irene Bryant of Higden, Jenifer M. Cap of Horseshoe Bend, Andrea Nicole Carlton of Edgemont, Kayla Sue Marie Christy of Cherokee Village, Jackie G. Coggins of Oxford, Courtney Shea Cook of Calico Rock, Samantha J. Corsaut of Salem, April Dawn Diamond of Mountain View, Whitney Silas Dockins of Melbourne, Johnathan David Gillihan Mountain View, Garry Scott Goodson Sturkey, Wanda R. Harper of Franklin, Alicia L. Havron of Fifty Six, Brittany Nicole Holmes of Mountain View, Megan Dawnise Houltzhouser of Hardy, Edith L. Jensen of Cherokee Village, Samantha K. Johnson Melbourne, Lena M. Jones of Wideman, Danielle E. Kuk of Salem, Kimberley M. Langford of Melbourne, Brandy Nicole Love of Mountain View, Nancy A. Miller of Mount Pleasant, Holly N. Mullins of Hardy, Amber Muston of Evening Shade, Sandra L. Palmer of Batesville, Lindsay E. Parrish of Viola, Cynthia Marie Perez of Mountain View, Sarah Anne Pierson of Franklin, Teresa Kay Pitts of Mountain View, Lora Fay Rivera of Witts Springs, Krystal Dell Rogers of Poughkeepsie, Nicole Sawyer of Cherokee Village, Denise E. Scholz of Hardy, Alichia Marie Sinclair of Viola, Brandon S. Stanley of Wideman, Rita Gail Sullivan of Smithville, Kim R. Thunberg Melbourne, Ashlei Tyson of Melbourne, Kristy Michelle White of Mountain View in Licensed Practical Nursing.

Receiving Certificates of Proficiency with Magna Cum Laude honors were Jeteela Fletcher of Mountain View, Wendy Johnson of Mountain View, and Julia Thiel of Mountain View in Accounting; Kathy L. Lovenstein of Mountain View in Business Computer Applications; Martha M. Goins of Mountain View, Tiffany L. Kellems of Ash Flat, Janet M. Logan of Cave City, Tabatha L. Reilly of Hardy, and

Heidi M. Roberto of Cherokee Village in Early Childhood Development; Danielle Nicole Cheatham of Calico Rock, Mary K. Cheatham Calico Rock, Janice Davis of Mountain View, Patricia Dawn Horton of Oxford, Scott C. Martins of Cherokee Village, Shane Morris of Brockwell, James Weldon Mullins of Batesville, Andrew Lovis Riley of Calico Rock, Norman Howell Smith of Fox, and Kirt-Michael Lonnie Williams of Calico Rock in Emergency Medical Technology; Doris J. Panicci of Mountain View in Entrepreneurship for Artisans; Celena J. Beach of Mountain View, Alice F. Farr of Cherokee Village, and Martha H. Jones of Evening Shade in Medical Office Administration.

Certificates of Proficiency were awarded with Cum Laude honors to Jennifer Suzette Carmichael of Mountain View, Amelya L. Cieminski of Mountain View, Randall Roth of Fox, and Shelly Carlisa Whetstone of Cherokee Village in Business Management; Patrick Neal Ward of Mountain View in Emergency Medical Technology; Linda S. Landers of Ash Flat, and Shelly Carlisa Whetstone of Cherokee Village in Medical Office Administration.

Other graduates awarded Certificates of Proficiency were Sky P. Burchett of Cherokee Village, Tara Churchwell of Franklin, Christina Janice Falk of Mount Pleasant, Amanda R. Gay of Melbourne, Sherlyn A. Homod of Melbourne, and Suzanna M. Smith of Hardy in Accounting; Nicole Lea Mann of Williford, and Merriedth Ann Province of Salem in Business Computer Applications; Paula Joann Farlie of Ash Flat, Rhonda J. Martin of Mountain View, Paula J. Pierce of Ash Flat, Merriedth Ann Province of Salem, Virginia Robinson of Blytheville, and Roxanne L. Sherrell of Cherokee Village in Business Management; Christy D. Ashcraft of Hardy, Ashley Irene Ausborn of Mountain View, Laci D. Buckelew of Melbourne, Lauran-Marie DiPierdomenico Violet Hill, and Melissa O’Dell of Timbo in Early Childhood Development; Ryan May of Mountain View in Emergency Medical Technology; Tabitha Ann Smith of Mountain View, and Paula M. Treat of Marcella in Medical Office Administration.

Receiving a Certificate of Proficiency in Certified Nursing Assistant was Esther H. Anderson of Salem, Steffan W. Ary of Koshkonong, Missouri, Kaitlyn Barnes of Mountain View, Kimberly L. Barnes of Melbourne, Lisa M. Barrett of Cave City, Emily L. Bettis of Mammoth Spring, Brandun Bradshaw of Mountain View, Ashton D. Byram of Melbourne, Robert Caston of Mountain View, Melanie D. Chandler of Koshkonong, Missouri, Nathaniel Childers of Mountain View, Loni B. Cooper of Melbourne, Steven Cotrell of Mountain View, Marisa Damm of Mountain View, Frances E. Dew of Cherokee Village, Melvine B. Dillehay of Batesville, Tina D. Drennon of Mammoth Spring, Robin N. Eldried of Horseshoe Bend, Vanessa S. Estrada of Mammoth Spring, Kendra L. Farmer of Melbourne, Christine L. Fears of Oxford, Kendra M. Fennel of Melbourne, Kessia Fossler of Marcella, Brittany Fraser of Fifty Six, Ashley G. Gatewood of Thayer, Missouri, Emily Gosser of Mountain View, Madison Gosser of Mountain View, Jessica M. Green of Cherokee Village, Victoria J. Gustke of Hardy, Elizabeth A. Hale of Calico Rock, Chelsi Hall of Pleasant Grove, Stacee N. Hargett of Melbourne, Miranda Hibshman of Mountain View, Tristan Jason of Fifty Six, Haley Jones of Cushman, Krystal A. Kerwin of Mammoth Spring, Krystal Lawson of Mountain View, Kerry L. Mccormick of Oxford, Jessica M. Moody of Mountain View, Anthony W. Moser of Mount Pleasant, Morgan Nichols of Mountain View, Dawn O. Ramsey of Batesville, Willow R. Rega of Cherokee Village, Jessica F. Robinson of Cherokee Village, Dalton Robison of Drasco, Luke Rogers of Mountain View, Kayla L. Sartin of Sage, Nicole M. Skidmore of Brockwell, Madeline D. Smith of Melbourne, Heather J. Sokolowski of Cherokee Village, Merrit E. Stahli of Mountain View, Kaelynn R. Staudacher of Salem, Nicole L. Tate of Melbourne, Lacey J. Taylor of Viola, Pamela I. Teague of Dolph, Rhonda L. Todd of Mount Pleasant, Kali J. Treat of Mount Pleasant, Amanda C. Voegeli of Thayer, Missouri, Jeran Ward of Melbourne, Haley Wheelis of Melbourne, Ashley F. Williams of Melbourne, Bambie R. Williams of Melbourne, and Jackie S. Womack of Melbourne.