MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Marion Technical College had the largest graduating class this year with a total of 472 graduates from twenty-seven different counties.  Twenty-nine of those graduates were at North Central Correctional Complex managed by Management and Training Corp.  In a world full of negative distractions, no internet, and strict study times, on May 19th, 29 Marion Technical College students walked across the stage at North Central Correctional Complex and shook the hands of the Associate Dean of Technical Programs Dr. Mike White and President Dr. Ryan McCall. Administrator Dave Cedar addressed a packed visitation room, the most the institution has seen yet. He says, “Trust what you’ve learned, believe in what you can become, and don’t let anything stop you from realizing your dream.” Many of the students were First Generation students as well as Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society students. 

During the ceremony Guest Speaker Dr. Antionette Cobb spoke to the families to “never give up.” She looked to the graduates and stated, “keep your eyed on the prize.” Her son Ra’Mon Blevins was part of the graduating class who graduated Suma Cum Lade and received the Excellence Award given to the student by their instructors. Ra’Mon, the student speaker told his peers “A diamond is worthless in the hands of the beholder who does not understand its value…many people exist throughout life, living beneath their true potential because they lack the knowledge of self.” He ended his speech with a call to action “authenticity cannot be duplicated ..once knowledge is earned, you hold a responsibility to contribute or become a waste of your blessing.”

On this day we forgot about their past and celebrate their future. Sr. Coordinator of the Correctional Program at NCCC stated she reminds them “their education can never be taken away from them. “She goes on to say, “you never know how much of an impact you have until graduation day. To see the support of the families and have the mothers, wives, and children come up to me and thank me for what I am doing makes everything I do worth it.”

Mike White, Associate Dean of Business Technologies at Marion Technical College stated “The Students at North Central Correctional Complex consistently impress me with their dedication to their studies. Seeing the families, students, and staff at graduation and celebrating their achievements of the students is one of my favorite times of the year.”