Winter Commencement 2025

The theme of the Winter 2025 Commencement Ceremony this January was about moments in time. Moments that are pivotal to someone’s journey. 

Speaking to an audience of 349 graduating students and countless family and friends, President of NCC, David A. Ruth, Ph.D., said, "I am proud that you have persevered in the face of many hurdles, something that has led you to this moment…one you will remember the rest of your lives and one that puts you right on track to achieve your personal and professional goals.” 

The January 25 ceremony held in the Arthur L. Scott Spartan Center on Bethlehem campus featured a diverse group of graduates ranging in age from 19 to 69, with students representing countries from Ghana to Colombia. Fifty-three of those students graduated with a GPA of 3.8 or higher. The ceremony began with the National Anthem performed by theatre major, Angelina Marie, showcasing her exceptional vocal talent and range. 

More than 258,000 people have walked through the doors of NCC since its beginnings, the winter class among them. VP of Academic Affairs, Sedgwick Harris, said, “You can go anywhere from these seats. Your president is a community college graduate. Many on the board of trustees are community college graduates. I am a community college graduate. You can be standing up here one day.”  

Dr. Ruth shared the accomplishments of several graduates, celebrating their determination and resilience. Among them was Tasha Davis, who received her degree in liberal arts with an English concentration, but grappled with challenges along the way, like memory loss caused by the electroconvulsive therapy used to treat her PTSD. Instead of allowing those challenges to stop her, though, she uses them to inspire others. Robert Loane, HVAC technology student, lost his brother this fall 2024 and has had to navigate the challenges of bipolar disorder and dyslexia while pursuing his education. With the support of his wife and counseling services on campus, he forged ahead to make it to graduation day. Maella Aponte earned her first degree in secondary education back in 2021 with hopes of becoming an English teacher, but something else was in store for her. Her love for reading and helping her community brought her back to NCC to earn her specialized diploma in library technical assistant. Tosha Henrich found empowerment at NCC, studying part time while working 40 to 50 hours per week and raising three children, who cheered loudly for her as she walked across the stage at the ceremony. 

Graduate, NCC records staff, and student commencement speaker, Jennifer Fleetwood, took the audience on a trip, beginning her speech with a timeline of several dates, moments in time she valued. “Dates of birth, weddings, high school graduations -- we all have dates that are important to us. Some are transformative. Some are sad. They make us who we are and get us to where we are going. All of us are here at different points in our life, but that’s what makes our NCC grads so unique.”  

Fleetwood continued by giving advice to her classmates. “Be gracious, especially to yourself. Be authentic because the world needs who you are. Be vulnerable. Sometimes, just be. Most importantly, be proud. Please take a moment to think of important dates in your story, and add one more, January 25, 2025.” 

Jen Bradley, professor of psychology and faculty speaker, talked about something vital to every person’s success – inclusion. She said, “It’s about recognizing and honoring the diversity we all bring to the table and allowing everyone to have a seat at the table.”  

Bradley noted that some graduates had moments where they could have given up, but through inclusion, they pushed forward.  

"A student struggled with mental health but continued to persevere because their counselor believed in them. A student persisted through economic hardship because their advisor assisted them in finding the right resources. Inclusion is an important part of their story. I have experienced, firsthand, how sometimes the world leaves people who are misunderstood or marginalized behind. Many have faced things that tested your resolve, but even one person’s belief in you, helped create space for you here. A single act of kindness, encouragement or support can make a difference.” 

Bradley left us with these powerful words, “Foster inclusion wherever life takes you, which begins with empathy and grows with action.” 

Network Director of Community Workforce Development at St. Luke’s University Health Network, Victoria Montero, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. As an NCC alum, she encouraged graduates to embrace their accomplishments. “Take this moment to give yourselves a well-deserved round of applause as well as those who support you and got you to this point.” She recalled moments where she learned lessons that continue to guide her today, one lesson that she mentioned was, “I have achieved more than I can ever imagine because of my mentors. My teachers, my colleagues, and more have become people I’ve formed connections with and who’ve gotten me to where I am now. Mentorship allows the transfer of knowledge by those who walked the path before you and who paved the way for you. My mentors showed the importance of investing in myself and have pushed me to the next level. I encourage you to also pay it forward by becoming a mentor yourself one day.”  

Montero shared sage wisdom for the students to keep in mind as they go forward, “I reminded myself this is only temporary when I have had struggles. Turn those negatives into positives, changes and challenges help you learn lessons for your future.” 

Montero’s address was followed by the presentation of the President’s Commencement Scholarship, awarded to Sanchenka Crespo, a business management student at NCC. 

Applause filled the Spartan Center as proud graduates crossed the stage, cheered on by their loved ones. 

To conclude the ceremony, Director of Research & Data Management at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, and a member of the Class of 2015, Frank Alvarado, welcomed graduates into the alumni association as they shifted their tassels from right to left. 

Be sure to check out the photos of our Winter Class of 2025 graduates!