John Wood’s 48th annual commencement ceremony set for Friday night

QUINCY — John Wood Community College will hold its 48th annual commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, May 19 in the Student Activity Center on the Quincy campus at 48th and Harrison.

JWCC will confer 349 associate degrees, 174 certificates and one College for Life certificate. JWCC President Bryan Renfro will confer degrees and certificates. Bob Rhea, chair of the JWCC Board of Trustees, will accept candidates as graduates.

Melissa M. Hess will deliver the invocation. Hess is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the facilitator of JWCC’s Adult Student Support Group. She volunteers in the community by serving as a court appointed special advocate in the court system, a mentor in the public school system and a certified adult mental health First Aid instructor. Hess earned her associate in arts degree with high honors in December 2022 and will continue her educational path in the field of human services and social work.

Catharine Jean Miller of Pittsfield will deliver the student address. She was a 2021-23 Trailblazer scholar, 2021-22 music scholar, the 2022-23 Phi Theta Kappa president, the 2022-23 Student Government Association president, the student representative on the Foundation Board, the student representative on the presidential search committee, a student ambassador for the admissions office and volunteered with Student Success Night.  

Miller has earned an associate in arts degree with highest honors and will attend Culver-Stockton College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Madison McFerrin of Green Bay, Wis., will deliver the closing remarks. McFerrin was a member of the women’s basketball team for two seasons and made the 2022-2023 All-Region team and second team all-conference. McFerrin will be earning her associate in arts degree. She will attend Barry University in Miami, Fla., to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing and continue her basketball career.

Steven Soebbing, JWCC associate professor in fine arts, humanities and education, will play processional and recessional selections and lead the JWCC choir in performing the national anthem.