DUBOIS – DuBois Business College is a private co-educational college of business dedicated to providing quality education that is effective for a successful business career.
It accepted its first students in 1885. These 131 years mark a milestone in a heritage and a long tradition of quality education for students.
The 131st commencement exercises for the main campus of DuBois Business College were held at DuBois Area Middle School.
Graduates received their Associate in specialized business degrees and diplomas in the following areas: accounting/business administration, administrative medical assistant, clinical medical assistant, computer applications/management, executive assistant, legal assistant, information systems support technician, entertainment production business, accounting assistant, office assistant, and computer systems support technician.
Numerous family members and friends joined the faculty and staff of the DBC to honor the graduates.
The welcome was given by Jackie D. Syktich, chief executive officer/president of DuBois Business College. The Master of Ceremonies was Carolyn Rhoades, board of directors member. Penny Pifer, DBC financial aid advisor, gave the invocation. The commencement speakers for the 131st commencement exercise were Derek Toven, member of the graduating class of 2016, and Cathy Steiner, board member and instructor, DuBois Business College.
Toven related his experiences while a student at DuBois Business College, and stressed that you can do more than what you think you can. His humorous account was a reminder of how others can see more in you than what you do.
Steiner recounted her experiences both as a student at DuBois Business College and in her current role as an instructor. She reminded that it doesn’t matter how young you are, but how your superiors view your potential that really matters. As a result of this viewpoint, her school president held at the time, she was able to relate how it has helped to develop her in the career roll she now holds.
Presenting the degrees and diplomas were Mary Jones, academic dean, Syktich and Brenda Heschke, member, board of directors, DuBois Business College. Syktich conducted the formal tassel turning.
Awards were presented to the following graduates:
- Katrina Simcox was presented the Outstanding Graduate Award by Dr. Helen White and Kristin Carnahan, DBC instructors.
- Giancarlo Delmo was presented the Outstanding Graduate Award by Stephen Wolfe and Donald Mitchell, DBC instructors.
- Tiarra Hollenbaugh was presented the Outstanding Graduate Award by Cindy Neville and Carolyn Rhoades, DBC instructors.
- The Board of Directors Award was presented to Hope Shaw by Terry Khoury, director, Oil City campus, and Cathy Steiner, DBC board member and instructor.
- The Board of Directors Award was also presented to Mamie Mader by Brenda Heschke, board member/DBC instructor and Randi Johnson, DBC instructor.
- Dylan Riggleman was presented the Student Service Award by Terry Khoury, DBC Oil City campus director, and Lisa Conrad, DBC instructor.
- Derek Toven was also presented the Student Service Award by Stephen Wolfe, chief technology officer/DBC instructor and Darren Kite, DBC instructor.
- The Spirit Award was presented to Megan Lanich by Pam Reiter and Cindy Neville, DBC instructors.
- The Spirit Award was also presented to Diane Smith by Brenda Heschke and Cathy Steiner, DBC instructors and board members.
The Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society Award pins were presented by Mary Jones, academic dean, and Cathy Steiner and Brenda Heschke, board of directors members. The following graduates were recipients of the Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society Award:
- Giancarlo Delmo, Cum Laude
- Tiarra Hollenbaugh, Cum Laude
- Amanda Hubler, Cum Laude
- Mamie Mader, Magna Cum Laude
- Tara Magyar, Cum Laude
- Julianne Onoratti, Cum Laude
- Dawn Ruffolo, Summa Cum Laude
- Katrina Simcox, Summa Cum Laude
- Rachel Westover, Magna Cum Laud
- Janna Whitling, Summa Cum Laude
The Veterans’ Honor Cord honors those DBC graduates who served in the Armed Forces of the United States. Stephen Wolfe and Bradley Mosier, DBC instructors, presented the Veterans’ Honor Cord to Kaycee Dashier. This was followed by having all veterans standing in recognition of their military service.
Rhoades thanked the graduates for their dedication and cooperation while attending DBC and the parents, families and other distinguished guests for their continued confidence in DuBois Business College.
She remarked that each of them has played an important role in making DBC a quality educational institution.
There was a special presentation that highlighted the graduates. A video, which was created by Ben Whiting and Cinnamon Chittester, DBC graduates and owners of BC Productions LLC, was viewed by all in attendance.
Following the benediction by Brenda Heschke, DBC board of directors member and instructor, a hors d’oeuvres reception was held to honor all graduates. Everyone was invited to attend and celebrate the success of the DuBois Business College graduates.