Susquehanna Township native The Honorable Jeffrey E. Piccola, 15th Senatorial District, Dauphin and York Counties, will address the 1100 students from all of HACC's locations who will receive their associate's degrees.
Senator Piccola serves as Majority Whip, the third ranking member of the Senate Republican Leadership Team. A member of the Education Committee, among others, he has been a champion for improving public education and has been a leader in creating the South Central Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Program, Inc., a scholarship organization that provides tuition assistance to needy families in the region.
HACC's student population continues to grow, and in January the college held its first mid-year graduation. Previously, those finishing their studies mid-year were included in the spring commencement.
"Considering both ceremonies, this is our largest graduating class to date," said HACC President Dr. Edna V. Baehre. "Many are nontraditional students, generally older students going to college for the first time, continuing studies often started years earlier, or retraining for new careers.
"The average age of our students is 28, many are older. They are balancing families, studies and jobs, making huge personal and financial sacrifices. We take immense pride in our ability to provide a high quality, affordable education for many of these students who otherwise would not be able to go to college," said Baehre.
A good number of such students are members of the class of 2005- nontraditional students who, at first, considered college unrealistic.
Luke Rider, 23, of Littlestown, will graduate with an associate's degree. He also is a recipient of an All Pennsylvania Academic Team Scholarship, which provides free tuition at any of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools for his junior and senior year.
He will attend Shippensburg University, majoring in information technology for business education with a minor in Communications.
A native of the Hanover-New Oxford area, Rider speaks of living in poverty all his life following his father's death when he was five.
"My mom raised me on her own. I didn't even try to get good grades in high school, because I thought college wasn't an option for me, that I'd never be able to afford it. I worked in high school, two jobs in my senior year to help make ends meet.
"I was among those who wouldn't graduate, and I remember we were all called into the auditorium for a speech about cleaning up our grades. My guidance counselor pushed me toward graduation, but I didn't think about college. I wanted more out of life, but I didn't think it was possible," Rider said.
"A year later, I met a HACC student who also came from a poverty family and was able to afford college. I was really inspired by that. She talked me into HACC, and it made me think maybe I'd have a chance."
Rider became vice president, then president of the Student Advisory Council. He credits the support of his family and those at the Gettysburg Campus of HACC who encouraged him.
"The advisor for the Student Advisory Council helped me a lot, took me under his wing, and helped me get over my shyness to do public speaking," Rider says. "The financial aid officer helped me with my scholarships and student worker positions and helped me manage my money and financial aid package so I could pay my bills outside school."
Rider's success has been an inspiration to his mother who has decided to go back to school. She is considering a healthcare career in radiology or surgical nursing.
HACC offers more than 120 different certificate, diploma and associate degree options. Its open enrollment policy ensures that any student over 18 with a high school diploma or GED can enroll in classes.
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