Ogden-Weber Tech College Holds Record Graduation

Two graduations take place each year on the Ogden-Weber Tech College campus, with this year setting a new record for the number of certificates issued and students completing programs. Spring graduation was the largest class with 503 certificates issued in a six month period and 491 graduating students.

Madeline Lund, Registrar for the college, has been involved in planning graduation since 1996. “I remember we only had about 10-15 students actually attend graduation that year and we were wondering if we should continue,” said Lund.

In 2003, the college began scheduling two graduations, one in May and November because the number of graduating students was growing by leaps and bounds. “We’ve had to limit tickets to graduation because our space is limited,” said Lund.

Lund has seen a positive trend over the last few years with more students completing programs and attending graduation. She said, “Some students think it’s not a big deal when they have completed a program, but they need to be recognized for the accomplishment they have made. When I tell them there are a lot that don’t finish, they begin to realize they have done something others haven’t and then they get excited about it.”

Each graduation, Lund puts together some statistics about the graduating class. For instance, she recorded that last spring 10 students completed two programs and two students completed three. There were also seven students who earned an AAT degree and 38.5% of graduates were honor students.

Twenty programs and 71 various training outlines were represented at graduation and health technology programs were the most popular. With the opening of the new health building and expansion of more health programs, these numbers are expected to continue to grow.
Wayne Western, a welding instructor commented, “I never thought a graduation ceremony was that important until a parent of one of my students hugged me and thanked me for encouraging their son to complete. I’ll always be at graduation from now on.”

Students who attend graduation are as varied as the programs they complete. Graduates include high school students through adults over 60, and they represent diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. One student commented, “I’m so proud of myself, I’m the first person in my family to graduate from college. A lot of my family wasn’t able to even complete high school. My whole family is coming to graduation because they are so excited for me!”

Another student said, “I’m so excited I finished. I was so intimidated and scared, but everyone that works here just kept encouraging me. I’m glad someone believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Winter graduation is tomorrow, November 10, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall.