Adult Studies Students Celebrate Completion of Degrees

April 22, 2003

The Mount Union College Adult Studies Program has five graduates walking in the 2003 Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 11. When these hardworking individuals receive their diplomas, it represents many years of dedication and determination.

The Adult Studies graduates, from left to right: Larry Richards, Sue Castellucci-Nicol, Barbara Zimmer and Barbara Bailey. Graduate Samantha Kerns was unable to attend the reception.

 

The graduates recently celebrated their accomplishments at an Adult Studies Reception held to honor this year's graduates. Karen Moriarty, director of adult studies at Mount Union College, spoke about each graduate at the reception, congratulating them for their perseverance.

Barbara Bailey, of Ravenna, is graduating with a business major and information systems minor. She started in the fall of 1994 by taking LS100. Moriarty said Bailey is "always pleasant, energetic and hard-working."

Barbara Bailey enjoys the reception.

 

Sue Castellucci-Nicol, of Alliance, started in the fall of 1994. She has attended classes at Mount Union every semester since, finishing with a full-time semester. She earned a degree in business with a psychology minor.

"She met the challenge!" said Moriarty.

Samantha Kerns of Sebring began working on her degree as a traditional student at Mount Union. When part-time became a better option for her, she came to Adult Studies. She will graduate with a sociology major and psychology minor. Moriarty said that she has great respect for Kerns.

"It certainly would have been easier for her not to finish her degree," said Moriarty.

Larry Richards of Mechanicstown will graduate with a business major and accounting minor. Richards started at Mount Union in 1978. He returned in 1999 to finish his degree through Adult Studies. According to Moriarty, Richards has "an analytical mind, accepts obstacles and then formulates a new plan."

Barbara Zimmer celebrates with her daughter, Anne Zimmer-Graffice, a 1995 graduate of Mount Union.

 

Barbara Zimmer of Alliance has seen two of her five children graduate from Mount Union and a third, Tiffany, will graduate in 2004. Now she will receive her degree from Mount Union. A business major with a psychology minor, Zimmer is a nurse. She had two concentrations -- management and health systems administration. She began in 1997 and has attended every semester since then. Moriarty said that "desire and determination describe Barb."

	Sue Castellucci-Nicol began working on her degree through Adult Studies in 1994.		Larry Richards returned to Mount Union to finish the degree he began in 1978.		Karen Moriarty, director of Adult Studies, spoke at the reception.