Gateway sees 13 percent increase in candidates for graduation

Published on May 20, 2019

Gateway Community & Technical College conferred 2,416 credentials upon 1,632 candidates for graduation and 102 general equivalency diplomas (GED) at the college’s 18th annual commencement ceremony on May 16, 2019 at the BB&T Arena in Highland Heights, Ky. This year, Gateway saw a 13 percent increase in the number of candidates for graduation.

“We celebrate our graduates and applaud their hard work. We also celebrate our staff and faculty who continuously strive to help students attain their goals.” said Dr. Fernando Figueroa, Gateway president/CEO.  

“Although your time at Gateway has come to an end, we hope you look back at your experience here and think of this graduation as an ending worth celebrating, but also a great start to a new beginning," said Dr. Julie Ann Smith-Morrow, Chair, Gateway Board of Directors.

This year’s candidates for graduation included eight high school students who earned their Associate degree while completing high school. Those students are: Mya Hale, Boone County High School; Alyssa McGriff, Boone County High School; Dwight David Griffith, Boone County High School; Evan Hodges, Connor High School; Jamie Bonow, Connor High School; Kaylee Cataldo, Cooper High School; Corbin Kiefner, Cooper High School; and Madeline Newport, Cooper High School. Gateway offers the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school through early college opportunities. This year, these students celebrated graduation from high school and Gateway together.

Gateway's 2019 Commencement speaker was Lewis Diaz, partner with Dinsmore & Shohl, LLC, chair of the Eastern Kentucky Board of Regents, Chair of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, and Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission board member. 

"You have been well prepared at Gateway," said Diaz to the graduating class. "Whatever your next step - be it continued education or entering the workforce - you have received the learning and experience you need to set out on your path."

Members from the Gateway Board of Directors and the Gateway Foundation Board, as well as Senator John Schickel were in attendance. 

Gateway credentials include associate in arts, associate in science, and associate in applied science degrees, plus technical diplomas and certificates. Many graduates received more than one credential at commencement.

Gateway is now enrolling for summer and fall classes. For more information, call 855-346-4282.