Terra State Community College celebrates 56th commencement

Terra State Community College celebrated its 56th commencement ceremony on May 9, honoring the achievements of the class of 2025.

The ceremony, held in the newly renovated Elaine Denman Recktenwald Center, marked a significant milestone for the college and its graduates.

Dr. Ronald Schumacher, Terra State president, extended heartfelt congratulations to the graduates. “We congratulate all of you who represent the graduating class of 2025 for completing the requirements for graduation and welcome those of you who have come to share in the joy and celebration of this evening,” Schumacher said.

Over the past several years, Terra State Community College has undergone many significant improvements, including $5.56 million in updates for the skilled trades program lab, an energy efficiency project featuring a solar field, and achieving HLC accreditation.

The Class of 2025 is comprised of 222 students graduating with associate degrees in more than 28 fields and 157 students earning certificates. Notable statistics about this year’s graduates include:

• The average time to complete their degree was 4.5 years.
• The youngest graduate is 17 years old, and the oldest is 57.
• Thirteen graduates received their associate degrees and graduated from high school this month.0
• Twenty graduates are earning dual associate degrees.
• Fifteen students have a 4.0 GPA, and 85 have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Eighty-six graduates transferred credits from other colleges/universities to Terra State.
• Nine graduates are veterans.

Schumacher emphasized the importance of continuous learning and growth, encouraging graduates to take pride in their achievements. “Graduates, always be proud of your achievement, and never stop learning and growing. Remember that no one can ever take this accomplishment away from you.”

Benjamin Weber delivered an inspiring commencement address, reflecting on his journey at Terra State and the lessons learned along the way. His speech emphasized the importance of perseverance, growth, and finding fulfillment beyond the pursuit of one’s dream.

The ceremony also honored Ahmyre McCree with the 2025 Perseverance Award; Jada Breidenbach, Leadership Award and Mason Johnson received the Academic Athlete of the Year Award.

Commencement speaker Nicholas Cray, president and CEO of Fremont Federal Credit Union, shared his personal journey and the transformative power of education. He emphasized the diverse paths that lead to success and the importance of bravery, courage, and optimism in achieving one’s goals.

Terra State Community College is a two-year accredited, state-supported, residential college located in Fremont. The college offers 21 fields of study, 29 degrees and 40 certificates to students. Visit terra.edu for more information.