I was ashamed for a long time, but then I came back to ECC. Each of us has gifts to bring to our community, and we can use those gifts to build bridges. Those years were precious, and near, and dear to my heart because it was all new. The other officers and I were quite excited to see the insect spread its wings and soarbut the butterfly simply flew to a nearby bush for a quick leafy snack. I thought I made a huge mistake until one day I was reminded of my journey as a mother. Thought: I wanted to be an educator for not only my own children but for a classroom full! Looking back, there were times where the uncertainty of life took over my heart and I found it difficult to be appreciative of the situation; someone whom I love nearly died and I was taking on a role that I wasnt sure I was meant to play, seemingly putting my life on hold. In addition, Emily Rau, communications executive with Ameren Missouri and Emmy-award, East Central College is celebrating its 2020 and 2021 graduates with four separate in-person commencement ceremonies in May. In 2020, my husband retired from the army and had to transition to civilian life which meant looking for a civilian job. However, I did not want to go to ECC because I was afraid of missing out on the full college experience and with graduating high school in the heat of Covid, I never really got any of that closure with those people I grew up with. He was encouraging and always available for all his students if they needed help.
I have so many memories here that I will never forget, like making amazing friends from different parts of the world or traveling with the soccer team to different places. Ive made so many wonderful memories in the past few years. One day as I was attending a Parents as Teachers session, a thought provoked me. I love learning from my classmates when they are not afraid to talk. So, I could have chosen either school based on the distance. I feel like that goes for life to, you can only take it day by day and not worry what the next day has planned. I feel like I can get one-on-one time and that they actually care outside of office hours. My experience throughout the last four years has been great. Thus, I switched my major to the CIS program to learn more about computer coding. Every graduate has a story about their journey to East Central College. We came to ECC looking to see what he could do to add to his degree. My parents encouraged me to go to ECC. ECC is hosting multiple ceremonies with the intent to keep graduates and families safe. I came to ECC after I moved back home from Michigan, it is close to home, and I have A+. I was so excited, my dream school, in a beautiful state. I was previously worried about coming from a small town (Bourbon) that might not have taught me at a high enough level. My mom and certain instructors who were passionate about teaching, have been my influence along the way. The more each of us participates, the better our communities will be, she added. Appell, who originally is from the Washington, D.C., area, lived in Seattle, Wash., and then moved to Washington in 2010. After an officers meeting, Mr. Dixon released a butterfly on the outdoor landing of Buescher Hall. East Central has impacted my life greatly. I have worked with some fantastic people in our Chapter, who have all won my heart. East Central accepted A+, which was a big plus for me.
Shes a perfect model of a teacher and I am so grateful the experience of being her student. I am so excited to finally walk across the stage and receive that hard earned degree! All graduates from the fall 2019 through summer 2021 semesters are invited to attend. After weeks, maybe even months of prayer, I had an opportunity knock at my door, or should I say mailbox. Could you believe it was a postcard from ECC? Human rights advocate and community organizer Aime Appell will address the East Central College Class of 2022 during commencement exercises Saturday, May 14. The need for affordable classes is what drew me to ECC. I am definitely going to miss ECC! During the Fall of 2020, I had 3 more eye surgeries. In August I plan to continue my education at Columbia College in Columbia, Mo. In the summer of 2019, she began working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. She plans to graduate in 2023. 1 0 obj
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I was very discouraged and felt disconnected from my peers though the pandemic. I still wasnt entirely sure if music was what I wanted to go to school for, but I gave ECCs program a shot, anyway. I also love the smaller classes here. East Central is the beginning of my journey and I will be forever grateful for the experience. Higher Learning Commission Campus Visit: April 1112, English Departments Poetry and Research Contest Winners. I then returned as a student in 2009 and attempted to finish. 2 for myself, to finish what I started. To be considered for the Outstanding Nursing Student award,. In hindsight, I could not have picked a better school for starting my AFA in Music. Ive made so many wonderful friends here at east central and I am sad that we are all going different to places now. I would love to thank Dr. Watts (English), Mr. Stotler (Education/Teaching) Mrs. Geisert (Early Childhood), and Mrs. Vogel (Education/Teaching) for inspiring me to grow while being myself. I initially decided to attend East Central College because of the wonderful theatre program here. I was scared, financially strapped, and working jobs I hated. Shes even walking into my graduation on Saturday, a true example of courage and strength. ECC has prepared me to finish my associates degree and to pursue now my bachelors degree in Human Resource Management at Lindenwood. There were 315 degrees and certificates awarded to, Former Students to be Speakers at Commencement Rich Schwentker, a retired Washington High School science teacher and a 1971 ECC graduate will address the graduates for ceremonies on Saturday, May 15, at 4 p.m.; and Sunday, May 16, at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. As a mother of a special needs child, I needed to be available at a moments notice and attending ECC allowed me to do that. East Central College has given me the confidence and independence I need to succeed in life. As I walked away, I noticed I missed something on the floor. That fall, I began my ECC journey as a stay-at-home mother with one child starting kindergarten on my first day of college ever! cp shrm sanford chrs brenda phr alumni There have been classes that I have literally cried my way through but felt so accomplished when passing. I also took Journalism all semesters when I was here and worked for the school magazine and newspaper. 
I will cherish my time here forever. I have a lot of good memories from being here, so picking a couple is challenging. Im headed to Southeastern Missouri State University in August to continue my degree in Music Education. Shes gotten married since the accident, her and my uncle are living in their dream home together. Through all of this I have learned that not even a pandemic can cease the love for learning and supporting one another. However, after three semesters of performing onstage, stage managing, and prop design; the stage, backstage areas, and even the catwalk became a second home. It was the first time in (seemingly) ages that we were able to socialize safely. Now, looking back at it, I am so so so grateful that they made that decision for me. There were days where I felt so old compared to the other students, but these educators would redirect that thought during discussions. ECC when its completely dark is pretty spooky. The whole college is like this and it is going to be an adjustment when I head to Missouri State. She was and is so supportive of me and helped me figure out my future plans. 
Needless to say, my plans to tour Missouri went out the window and I ultimately took the semester off of as a whole. I also believe you get out of each experience what you put into it. I am an older student in my thirties, a mother of 4, and work full-time nights. Appell is the chairperson of that organization. You are too old. I have attended East Central for four years I completed two years of prerequisites before starting the Associate Degree Nursing Program in 2020 and am now scheduled to graduate next Saturday! East Central is the college both of my parents went to, and also the college I graduated from the first time. First, let me start with how excited I am to be finally here graduating, but let me tell you how I got here. I plan to double major in HealthCare Management and Business Administration. I am also thankful for my daughters tutoring me in Statistics, without their help I would never have made it through with an A in the class. I chose ECC because the Nursing program is ranked one of the best. As of October of last year, after being practically bedridden for 16 months, my aunt is walking again. <>
I was surprised at how well I was doing at ECC. I never thought that going to college close to home was right for me. As I shut the door, I noticed a post card that was junk mail, so I threw it in the trash. I hope to become a psychologist. Because of the wonderful experiences, I decided to transfer to CMU and continue my academic journey through their bachelors program as an educator. I am so thankful for my parents for always encouraging me to keep going whenever I am faced with a hardship and having unwavering support when life throws me off course a bit. It was new, unfamiliar, and way too elevated for my comfort. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, I thought it would. %
shoulder to lean on whenever I was having any issues with school or even myself. I found this incredibly beneficial because it allowed me real-life experience in the department I will work in as a graduate nurse. I couldnt have done it without my wonderful advisor, Jenny Kuchem. She likely wouldnt be able to walk for a while, let alone work or continue her life how she had up to that point. Im really grateful for the single intro to SQL assignment at the end of the Microsoft Access course. I have worked so hard to earn a degree as a wife, mother, student, and future educator. I am proud to say I was part of ECC! There were 27 East Central College Nursing Program graduates who were recognized during a pinning ceremony on May 15. I graduated high school in 1987. I have tried to be a diligent student and classmate. Soete, of the Washington area, first attended ECC in 1984, fresh out of high school, as a biology major. I had some tough courses and some great teachers along the way. stream
Every time I came to visit ECC the staff was always friendly and welcoming, which is something I really enjoyed. And me? I am likely to be the only person who is thankful for COVID. That includes Neighbors United Undoing Racism, which holds an annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at ECC. I have taken many other classes and loved them all. I continued my athletic journey with ECCs volleyball team for my freshman year but during sophomore year, I decided I was done with the sport. Trust the situation, no matter how hard it may be, because sometimes He has something bigger and better in store. I am a non-traditional student that waited too long to go back to school. I was a stay-at-home mother for 6 years before I ever dreamed of having a college career. heartland courses dual application credit On March 12, 2020, during my Oral Communications class, my retina detached in two places. Below are just a few of the stories from the 168 students who walked across the stage during the graduation ceremony, and a total of 484 students who earned degrees or certificates. One professor that has had a lasting impact on me is Rachel Howard. This has allowed me to save up for when I go to Missouri State University. Im two years into college with absolutely NO debt! The one teacher that inspired me the most was Professor Tanner. ECC to me means that you can still get an amazing college experience even if youre not at a big university. I thought to myself surely this is a sign. East Central may be a community college, but the education and experiences one gains from this campus is determined by ones own effort and involvement. However, after becoming involved with numerous extracurriculars (theatre, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the Cornerstone, and the Student Government Association) I realized that opportunities were bountiful at ECC. My wonderful experiences at ECC helped me grow and thrive at UMSL. In return, I have had instructors and classmates return the favor. Your staff showed me I could succeed. My plans after graduating ECC are going back to Liberty University as an online student to study Business Administration with a cognate in Marketing and Sales Management. I feel like ECC has impacted my life for the better. The ECC Nursing Program held its formal ceremony for its nursing students prior to graduation in the Donald Shook Student Center. But since moving to Missouri, and since attending ECC, Ive learned the importance of family, friendship, perseverance, and how to truly trust in God. Appell, pastor of Peace Lutheran in Washington, leads or is heavily involved in, community organizations with strong ties to the College. East Central College celebrated the accomplishments of more than 600 students who completed degrees and certificate programs over the past two years. It was a miracle she survived. It has been challenging but did I throw in the towel? My name is Blair Bowers, and I have worked endlessly for the last two years being both a full-time student, and a full-time worker (working 7 days a week! I started ECC back in 2006 as a young immature student and didnt finish the first time. I would recommend ECC to anyone who wants a quality college education and a series of treasured memories. So that really put a damper on my first year of college. From the moment I took a tour and applied I felt welcome. ECC Outstanding Nursing Students The 2021 East Central College Outstanding Nursing Students are Union graduate Lisa Heimos and Rolla graduate Summer Thorp-Lancaster. My mom and certain instructors who were passionate about teaching, have been my influence along the way. I didnt even think about a 2-year college. This past semester I took a film photography class and the first few weeks of it were very difficult because learning how to actually work a film camera and developing your photos well lets just say that was beyond stressful. Little did I know the Lord had other plans for me. I will now be graduating in May and I have plans to attend Maryville University and continue my studies in their Speech Pathology and Audiology program. I live 32 miles from both ECC and St. Charles Community College. However, this has proven to be one of the best choices I made for myself! People who have influenced me along the way are my parents and my grandpa because they have never stopped believing in me even though I didnt always believe in myself, and they have always been my biggest supporters in everything I do. 
I am now in the process of pursuing my absolute dream job of teaching middle school. I was planning on attending a four-year university right out of high school. I value my education and work hard because I know it makes my parents happy to see me having every opportunity they did not. In fact, I was just elected for UMSLs SGA senator, and I owe most of it to the confidence Ive gained from working with Carson Mowery (Campus Life and Leadership Coordinator), Kevin Dixon (Phi Theta Kappa advisor), Leigh Kolb, Gregg Jones, Amanda Studdard, and Grace Austin. I served as Phi Theta Kappas Vice President of Public Relations during the Fall 2021 semester. My parents have worked hard to be able to give me this opportunity.
Falcon Fest was a definite favorite event of mine. You just really need to put yourself out there and everything will go great! But it turns out that that was my favorite class Ive ever taken at ECC. It was all new to me, and taking classes online were certainly new since I graduated from high school more than 10 years ago at the time. It was a series of memes I created for Professor Kolbs Intro to Film Studies Class. I love the presence that ECC has in the community, she said. I have not only learned so much about teaching but also a lot about myself in these two years. I finally made the decision to go to East Central College and that is where this story really starts. <> It is very affordable and I get to live at home for another 2 years. I think that has really shaped me into the caring, patient, kind, and loving person that I am today, and I am overjoyed to share that with my own classroom soon! I am so excited to finally walk across the stage and receive that hard earned degree! At the age of 53 some would say why bother but for me it means, No. Throughout my experience, I have had teachers reach out to me and help me figure out the net steps in my life and for that I am forever grateful. My plans after I graduate are to continue going to Ozark Community College in Springfield and getting into the nurse program and hopefully becoming a specialist in gynecology. My favorite memory at East Central was winning 3rdplace in the Poetry Contest. Although I was born in St. Louis, I grew up in Phoenix, Ariz. Late in 2019, while attending a community college out there and still undecided in the path I was wanting to take in life, I decided to move to Missouri in 2020 for a change of scenery; I have plenty of family out here so I figured it would be a good landing point while I explored the new world around me. graduation outpace shippensburg 4 0 obj I was welcomed back as if I never even left, I was encouraged to finally finish my degree. My time as the Public Relations officer for the Student Government Association will be forever cherished, as well. Since earning my Associates degree in Communications, I have completed my first semester at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. I have learned so much about not only myself, but also educationally.