Columbus State’s 199th Commencement
Campus News | Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Graduation December 2019
Update 12/16/2019: Columbus State held its 199th Commencement Ceremony Friday. More than 1,400 students petitioned to graduate from the combined summer and autumn semesters.
Merideth Sellars, associate professor of Biological and Physical Sciences at the College, provided the commencement address. She said, ”I always tell my students, 'you never pass up an opportunity.' That is my first message to all of you. When someone opens a door for you, even a crack, take it! Open that door.”
Graduates included 20-year-old Michael Kopechek. He received an Associate of Science degree with plans to transfer to Ohio State University to pursue a Civil Engineering degree. And while it’s common for one sibling to follow another on a path through Columbus State, Kopechek’s family may hold the record. He is the ninth of ten brothers and sisters in a row who have attended classes at the College. He is the second to earn an associate degree from the College. Seven of his siblings have gone on to earn bachelor’s degrees at Ohio State, and another will graduate there next year.
Following in their footsteps was no problem. Kopechek said, “Why not follow their successful paths?” What’s more, his younger sister, a high school senior, is currently taking College Credit Plus classes through the College, making her the 10th Columbus State student in the family.
Columbus State Community College will celebrate its diverse graduating class at its 199th commencement this week. The graduates include a student who is the ninth of 10 children in his family to attend the College.
Michael Kopechek, 20, will receive his Associate of Science degree with plans to transfer to Ohio State University to pursue a Civil Engineering degree. And while it’s common for one sibling to follow another on a path through Columbus State, Kopechek’s family may hold the record. He is the ninth of ten brothers and sisters in a row who have attended classes at the College. He is the second to earn an associate degree. Seven have gone on to earn bachelor’s degrees and another is almost there.
Following in their footsteps was no problem. Kopechek said, “Why not follow their successful paths?” What’s more, his younger sister, still in high school, is currently taking College Credit Plus classes through the College, making her the tenth Columbus State student in the family.
Shaneece Green was on a fast track when she entered Columbus State. The 25-year-old earned her Associate of Arts degree in one year. Green said, “This semester has been one of the hardest journeys I’ve ever been on, yet here at Columbus State, I am surrounded by my newfound family.” She credits her own family for their support and motivation for helping make her college career successful.
Along the way, Green joined two honors societies and made the Dean’s List. Her ambition is to become a school superintendent. She’s heading to Ohio Dominican University to pursue a dual degree in Intervention Specialist and Middle Education with later plans for a master degree and doctoral degree.
For many of our students, English is a second language. Jonathan Anthony Hernandez, 22, arrived in Ohio from the Philippines three years ago. He had been told that Columbus State’s English as Second Language Program was among the best around. His English improved quickly, and his academics were above average. That allowed him to be accepted into Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society with a chapter at the College.
In addition, Hernandez was recognized for his vast knowledge of his chosen career of Cybersecurity. He was one of just 60 students in the nation this year to receive the Advanced Technical Excellence Award from National Science Foundation. Hernandez is transferring to Franklin University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity.
The commencement speaker is Merideth Sellars, associate professor of Biological and Physical Sciences at the College. She has served as the Principal Investigator for the Choose Ohio First Future Scientists of Ohio Grant and as a STEM Club advisor for 10 years. Merideth has authored two iBooks, and several other publications with the College. She began as an adjunct professor in 2004 and was hired as a tenure-track faculty member in 2009. Sellars holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree along with a Master’s of Science in Clinical Physiology. All three degrees are from Ohio University.
The combined commencement for summer and autumn semesters will be held Friday, December 13, at 10 a.m. at the Celeste Center on the Ohio State Fairgrounds, 717 East 17th Ave., Columbus. More than 1,400 students combined from both terms have petitioned to graduate.
A live stream of the event will be available at: http://livestream.com/cscc
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