AWC celebrates its graduating students
Student Speaker Seanna Engel discusses why it's important to represent Arizona Western College
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Western College (AWC) will have its 2023 commencement ceremony Friday evening celebrating its graduates.
Northern Arizona University-Yuma Branch Campus, University of Arizona-Yuma Academic Center, and Arizona State University ASU@Yuma programs will also be a part of the ceremony.
AWC has issued over 2,000 degrees and occupational certificates.
Seanna Jo Engel has been chosen as AWC's Student Commencement Speaker who will be graduating with an Associate's Degree in Science and an AJEC-S Certification.
Engel will be going to the University of Arizona afterward for a degree in Conservation Biology before going to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography for a Master's and Doctorate in Marine Biology.
She says her earliest memories are of the ocean and she's always known she wanted to be a marine biologist.
"My dad was a fisheries biologist with game and fish so I grew up working very close handed with animals," explains Engel. "The more and more I mature, the more and more I realized it's not just playing with fish, like our oceans are in dire need of our help and I want to spend my life doing that."
Engel said it is an honor to address her fellow students who have worked hard and to also show her appreciation to the instructors and staff at AWC.
"Arizona Western College has been the experience of a lifetime. It's a small community college so it's family. These people are more than willing to help you. You are not just a number," says Engel. "They want to see you succeed. They want to see you do great things. They will work with you. They will work with your interests."
Dr. Daniel Corr, AWC's President says this community is being transformed through the students' efforts.
"We are part of a thriving, growing, passionate community. The best days are ahead of us and it's because of education, because of the sacrifice that you all made," says Dr. Corr.
He goes on to say he's very proud to be a matador.
Congratulations to all graduates.
