Stories of positivity, transformation abound: 177 graduates earn GED certificates from NIC's Adult Education Center
Former NIC Vice President for Student Services Graydon Stanley speaks to the crowd while graduates face their support systems during the GED graduation ceremony on May 11 at Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on NIC’s main campus in Coeur d’Alene.
A large and varied group received their GED certificates from the North Idaho College Adult Education Center on May 11 in Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on NIC’s main campus in Coeur d’Alene.
Dozens of this year’s 177 GED graduates participated in the commencement ceremony, including a recovering addict and mother of two who has since enrolled in NIC’s summer term, a homeschooled teenager who didn’t feel smart until encouraged and enabled by GED teachers and a middle-aged mother of four who earned her GED after 15 years to prove to her son that if she could do it, so could he.
Boswell Hall was full of proud supporters, and the stage was stacked with faculty and staff from the Adult Education Center’s three locations, as well as NIC administrative leaders and members of the Board of Trustees. Former NIC Vice President for Student Services Graydon Stanley returned to give the commencement address and told graduates that earning their GED was a stepping stone to other good things in life.
“This is what I want you to know – by the power vested in me by your families, by your friends, by our faculty, by our trustees, by our president, by our provost, by God, I now pronounce you a really big deal,” Stanley said. “Congratulations. Thank you so much for this honor to be here tonight. I’m looking forward to all your futures.”
Adult Education Center Director Kathy Albin shared stories of positivity and transformation, including the story of one student whose final passing grade came through the day before graduation.
“The amount of emotion shared and the excitement this man had for finishing up his GED is what we are all about in the program and it’s why we’re here to celebrate all of you today,” Albin said.
Graduate Cole Anton, one of several students to address the audience during the ceremony, said earning his GED gave him not only a feeling of accomplishment but also a sense of relief.
“I swear I’m not being paid to say this – hashtag not sponsored – but it was so inspiring to know how dedicated everyone there is to helping you get your education, as I myself have never experienced anything like that from any of my previous schools,” Anton said.
Several speakers acknowledged students for their dedication and their communities for supporting the graduates. Cyndi Clark, an instructor from the Adult Education Center in Bonners Ferry, encouraged graduates to be humble and appreciative life-long learners.
“Tonight really is just a presentation of another door opening for you, but tonight, you get to walk through that door and see what’s next,” Clark said. “I encourage you to swing the door wide, graduates; swing it wide and walk proudly and with purpose to your next task in life. I wish you all the best of luck.”
For more information about the Adult Education Center, contact the Adult Education Center at (208) 665-5099.
Graduate Chasity Fisher speaks
to the crowd as Adult Education Center faculty and staff, NIC leaders and
members of the Board of Trustees listen during the GED graduation ceremony on
May 11 at Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center on NIC’s main campus in
Coeur d’Alene.
Story and photos by Megan Snodgrass mpsnodgrass@nic.edu
Posted: Thursday, May 19, 2022
