Winter Commencement 2026

Northampton Community College (NCC) President, David A. Ruth, Ph.D., stressed the value of the day during the January 24 Winter Commencement Ceremony held in the Spartan Center on Bethlehem campus.  

"This is an important day for you. Yes, you’ve already put in all the hard work and filled out the appropriate forms and are officially an NCC grad even if you don’t walk today. But this ceremony isn’t all “pomp and circumstance.” This ceremony is a chance to pause and really celebrate your achievements. It’s about finishing what you set out to do. It’s a moment to be recognized not just for credits earned, but for perseverance, growth, and commitment,” said Dr. Ruth. 

The ceremony began with the National Anthem performed by business administration major, Brandon O’Cain, showcasing exceptional vocal talent and range. The Winter Class of 2026 features a diverse group of 613 graduates ranging in age from 17 to 64, with students representing countries from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to Ghana and Myanmar. Thirty-nine of those students graduated with a perfect GPA of 4.0.  

Dr. Ruth shared the accomplishments of several graduates, celebrating their determination and resilience. Among them was Louis Capetta, who returned to college as an adult student and graduated alongside his youngest daughter, Ashleigh. Making it a true family affair, Capetta’s wife, Janelle, plans to start at NCC this spring. He also mentioned Christian Ramos, who had to dig into his resilience to finish his education despite personal setbacks, and Victoria Johnson, who started at NCC and took a break before returning to finish what she started.  

Accounting graduate and student commencement speaker, Travis Nugent, talked about how even the best laid plans can get derailed, citing that he had plans for the past nine years that often changed. “Our plans are about as good as our ability to see the future. Without plans, we are lost, but with rigidity, we sacrifice opportunity,” he said. His advice was not to throw away your plans but to be bold enough to change it when another path presents itself. 

NCC Professor, English as a Second Language (ESL), and faculty speaker, Marketa Scott, said, “Graduation is often described as the finish line. For me, just like a language, it’s a bridge leading somewhere new by offering perspective. All of you are living in a very fast changing world, and what this world needs more than anything is people like you. People who can build bridges.” 

The commencement keynote speaker was Executive Director, Refugee Community Center, Jessica Entwistle. Entwistle has dedicated her career to supporting displaced individuals and families. She encouraged graduates to never lose sight of their human connection and to live in the moment. “The world will tell you to hurry, optimize, multi-task, produce, perform, and treat people as steppingstones. The world will tell you that you’re more valuable as a ‘human doing’ than as a ‘human being.’ Resist that. Wherever you go, be the person’s who’s fully there. Pick your head up, see what’s around you. Listen with curiosity and empathy. Your degree matters, but your humanity matters even more.” 

Entwistle’s address was followed by the presentation of the President’s Commencement Scholarship, awarded in honor of the commencement speaker each ceremony. This winter, health sciences major Ruba Kassi was awarded the scholarship. 

Applause filled the Spartan Center as proud graduates crossed the stage, including GED and ESL graduates presented by NCC’s Director for the Center for College & Career Readiness, Dr. William Schaffer. 

To conclude the ceremony, a member of the Class of 1992 and Coordinator of Special Education, Early Intervention Services at Colonial IU 20, Dr. Jennifer Zingales, welcomed graduates into the alumni association as they shifted their tassels from right to left. 

The graduates then saluted their professors, mentors, family, and friends who supported them in getting to commencement day.  

Be sure to check out the photos of our Winter Class of 2026 graduates here.