2023 STEM Grads Earn GCC Degree Alongside High School Diploma

Batavia, NY (06/01/2023) — On May 20, 2023 Genesee Community College celebrated its 55th annual Commencement Ceremony with a group of 13 students from area high schools and homeschools deserving special mention. They completed their GCC degree requirements concurrently with their high school diplomas or New York State High School Equivalency. Twelve of these graduates participated in the fifth annual cohort of the College's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Enrichment Program through GCC's Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Office.

These high-achieving individuals include the following: Jadyn Brummert (Oakfield), Jacob Debadts (Warsaw), Lydia Evans (Batavia), Megan Fialkowski (Attica), Grace Gregoire (Homeschool), Abigail Lamphier (Homeschool), Aidan McClurg (Elba), Emma McLaughlin (Perry), Sofia Oltramari (Buffalo Seminary), Lauren Reimer (Batavia), Zoey Shepard (Byron-Bergen) and Andrea Straub (Notre Dame). Audrey Pask (Albion) did not take part in the STEM Enrichment Program, but did earn a GCC degree alongside her high school diploma.

The STEM Enrichment program began in 2012 allowing the students to start their college studies as early as the seventh grade. In addition to their traditional schoolwork, they enrolled in college level coursework each year taking advantage of many academic opportunities and successfully completing all of the rigorous challenges of an associate degree.

"We are extremely proud of these 12 exceptional students who have not only earned their high school diplomas but also completed their GCC degree requirements through our STEM Enrichment Program. Their dedication and hard work demonstrate the power of early college enrollment and the opportunities it provides. They are truly an inspiration to future generations of students," said Ann Valento, director of Accelerated College Enrollment programs at Genesee Community College.

Genesee Community College's 55th annual Commencement Ceremony was held at the Richard C. Call Arena and featured special guest Keynote Speaker Benjamin Bonarigo Sr., Esq., Genesee Community College Trustee Emeritus. To view the ceremony, please visit: https://www.genesee.edu/commencement/.

For more information contact Vice President, Development and External Affairs Justin Johnston at (585) 345-6809, or via email: jmjohnston@genesee.edu.

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Editor's Note:

A photograph of ACE STEM Enrichment Program graduates, courtesy of Genesee Community College is available at: https://marketing.genesee.edu/images/GCC_Ace_Graduates_2023.jpg

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