“You Are Trailblazers:” Pocono Campus Hosts Commencement Ceremony

As Megan Geklinsky, student life director at NCC, moved to the podium to sing the National Anthem, an audience of students waited in anticipation to cross the stage in the Pocono campus gymnasium on May 20, 2025. 

“Commencement, as the word suggests, is about the beginning of something,” said President of NCC, David A. Ruth, Ph.D. “You are beginning – or commencing – your life after NCC. Some of you are going on for more education with more commencement ceremonies in your future. Some of you are going to enter the workforce armed with your new expertise and knowledge. Some of you might still be figuring out your next steps. Some of you might even be sticking around to complete another program. Whatever the case, you are simultaneously standing on a finish line and a starting line.” 

The students who graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade point average were given a special shoutout, along with students like Olivia Collumb and student speaker, Amanda Alfaro, who earned top academic awards and scholarships given out by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, beating out applicants from across the state and the country! 

As only the second class to process at the Pocono campus, the class represents a set of trailblazers in highlighting the wonderful community that is NCC Pocono, said Dr. Ruth. 

Alfaro told her fellow classmates to take that title of trailblazers seriously: “Even with all our differences, I believe we share a common thread. That is the thread of hope -- hope to create a better future for us, our families, our communities, and our world. What we have gained here at NCC is more than just knowledge. It’s our foundation that, when paired with our unique perspectives, positions us to be incredible changemakers. There is a ton of work to be done, and each of us has a part in shaping the future.” 

Professor of Early Childhood Education, and this year’s faculty speaker, Kate Curry, was a grade schoolteacher before coming to NCC, and she shared the words of the author Robert Fulghum, who wrote that all the lessons he learned in kindergarten are still important today – things like, ‘Share everything,’ ‘Don’t take things that aren’t yours,’ ‘Say you’re sorry when you hurt someone,’ ‘When you go out into the world, stick together.’  

“Education has power, and it starts early and has a lifelong impact. You took that power into your own hands when you came here. I’d like to suggest that your harness the tools you learned at Northampton,” said Curry. 

During the ceremony, the 146 Pocono graduates were called out by name as their professors, mentors, and loved ones cheered. With the same enthusiasm and energy, GED and ESL program graduates were also honored at the ceremony. 

Pike County Commissioner, Christa Caceres, made history when she became the first African American elected to the office in the county’s 210-year history, and she encouraged graduates to make history themselves: “Embrace your unique possibility and walk confidently in your destiny. Whatever you do, do not freeze in place. You’ve got somewhere important to be.” 

After Caceres finished her address, Brianette Ramirez was called to the stage as the recipient of this year’s President’s Commencement Scholarship, which is given to a student in honor of the Commencement Speaker.  

To conclude the ceremony, HR Recruiting Coordinator at Camelback Resort and member of the Class of 2017, Quetcy Dueno, welcomed graduates into the Alumni Association. The association will celebrate its 50th anniversary this fall and is one of the oldest continuously active community college alumni associations in the country. This class will join over 60,000 alumni members. Dueno told graduates to stay in touch and stay involved as alumni, continuing to add to the fabric of the institution. 

Graduates shifted their tassels from the right to left of their cap and saluted those who have helped them along the way.  See the full gallery of photos here.