‘Lead the way,’ Duncan tells SKC graduates
Nicole Tavenner
A graduate receives his diploma from SKC President Robert DePoe III.
Nicole Tavenner
Graduates greet SKC faculty during the graduation ceremony.
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Salish Kootenai College graduates and family fill the gymnasium.
Nicole Tavenner
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Not only did Salish Kootenai College graduate its largest class ever Saturday afternoon, but also the school welcomed United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as its commencement speaker.
SKC President Robert DePoe III introduced Duncan, the 9th secretary of education.
Duncan’s address focused on SKC’s motto — “Grounded in tradition, charging into the future.”
He congratulated the graduates and advised them to celebrate their graduation, saying he doesn’t think we celebrate educational success enough.
Asking for a hand to celebrate Joe McDonald, the SKC gym erupted with cheers, clapping and whistles.
Duncan grew up on the south side of Chicago and was grounded in the tradition there, just as he was confident that SKC graduates are grounded in their tradition and will give back to the community.
Duncan said DePoe and Nich’e Caye, on staff in the SKC nursing program and enrolled in a PhD nursing program, are leading by example and giving back to the community.
Duncan advised grads to find their passion, which would lead to finding their genius. They’ve already shown tenacity, grit and a work ethic to graduate, he said.
The science and engineering gap for American Indians needs to be closed, Duncan said, since just .2 percent of American Indians work in those fields.
“SKC is the only tribal college to offer bachelor’s degrees,” Duncan said, noting that a hydrology bachelor’s degree will be important with the tribal purchase of Kerr Dam.
SKC was chosen to help launch a satellite, putting them in the same league as Cal-Berkley and the University of Michigan.
Lastly, Duncan asked students “to consider who helped you to get here.”
No one succeeds without help from family, teachers, counselors and other students, he said. He asked students to pave the way to SKC for their friends and family.
“Lead the way,” Duncan said. “Lead with courage, passion and determination.”
2014 graduates:
Bachelor of Science Hydrology
Jacob Samuel Feistner and Samuel David Wall
Associate of Science Hydrology
Nicholas Andrews, Scott W. Beauvais, Vincent Paul Medicine Horse, Chad Joseph Reynolds, Matthew Steven Weingart and Patrick Michael Wurster, Jr.
Bachelor of Arts Psychology
Katrina Amanda Marie Joseph, Jennifer Ann Madruga, Victor M. Montoya, Gregory Earl Sheumaker and Lydia Silva
Associate of Arts Psychology
Theresa Roselee Arrive, Comfort T. Bolen, Sr., Kellie Caldbeck, Charnell Rose Calf Looking, Lisa Lou Dauenhauer, Autumn Marie Diller, Candi DuBois Anderson, Azalea Chyelle Hanway, Chelsy Laura Higgins, Tena Ann Marie Limberhand, Sarah McGee-Morigeau, Edward Running Rabbit, Jr. and Casey Villarreal Sorrell
Bachelor of Science Early Childhood Education
Korrie Christopher and Rhea Pierre Paul
Associate of Arts Early Childhood Education
Sally Marie Cordier, Jordon Fisher and Charlyn Perdash
Bachelor of Science Elementary Education
William Vincent Bass, Egan Scott Black, Kylie Black, Jessica Arlene Charette, Wendy
Dawn Clairmont, Sulee Rae DeRoche, Jamie Fuchs, Dawn Gilroy, Alicia Hakes, Johnny Michael Hanika, Cassidy Johnson, Theresa J. McNair, Shannon Salisbury-Depoe, Vanessa Rae Sanchez, Jeffrey A. Smith and Brian Terry
Associate of Science Elementary Education
Egan Scott Black, Shana Dawn Brown, Jessica Arlene Charette, Tara Chee, Brook Nicole Deneault, Jordon Fisher, Matt Flat Lip, Cody L. Henderson, Madeline Odessa Hewston, Kelsey Kerney, Joseph Kerney, Dustan Luke Mills, Chase Nevarez, Leticia Wynette Rides at the Door, Dennis Sangrey, and Paul D. Venters
Associate of Science Environment Science Terrestrial Resources, Leslie Ann Brownrigg, Gary Lesser, Kristi Olney and McKenzie Ryan Rides At The Door
Bachelor of Science Forestry, LeAnn Chaves and Shawn DeFrance
Associate of Science Forestry, Lydina Big Man, LeAnn Chaves, Shawn DeFrance, Rudolph King III, Royce LaFromboise, Kelly Rose O’Bennick, Chad Joseph Reynolds and Jason S. Stone
Forestry Natural Resource Monitoring Certificate of Completion, Miles Trimble Marchi
Bachelor of Arts Social Work, Steven K. Asay, Betty Brown LaFountain, Maria DuMontier, Arlene Manuel, Jacqueline McElderry, Xavier Paul Old Chief, Danielle R. Rochte’ and Crystal M. Williams
Associate of Arts Chemical Dependency Autumn Marie Diller, Kate Hickey, Genevieve Morigeau, Rayola Upham, Casey Villarreal Sorrell and Ashly Wolf Black
Bachelor of Arts Business Entrepreneurship Peter James Ault, Bryson Ross Calico, Amanda D. Harriman, Juanita Irvine, Abigail Rose Luke and DesiRae Dawn Nault
Associate of Arts Business Management Tonya Banks, Bruce Harry Butler*, Chiffon Alexandra Clark, Angelo Ty Domebo, Jericho Lee Dorsey, Nancy Jane Eller**, Eva Green, Michael Ray Guilez, Kyle Charles Hendrickx, Lisa Marie Jagles, Joni Rochelle James*, Chantel A. Jenkins, Lucille Angela Johnson*, Ashley A. Jones, Josie Ray Kieffer***, Joshua Ray Krump, Rena Ladd, Mervel LaRose, Tyler Michelle Leslie, Sandra Jean Lewis, Danielle Louise Peterson, Amanda Kimberly Serrano
Bachelor of Science Information Technology
Nicolas T. Quequesah and Richard A. Steele
Associate of Science Information Technology
Zachary Dean DuMontier and Dyan B. Florentino
Associate of Arts Media Design
Lindsay Jean Burland-Roullier and Dyan B. Florentino
Bachelor of Science Life Science
Loretta Louise Grey Cloud
Associate of Science General Science
Rayel Brown, Mariah C. Friedlander, Narrissa Katana Godwin. Coy Jory Harwood, Eric Andrew Marceau, Eddie O. Stillwell, Allan J. Somers, Marthe Yvonne Van Sickle and Blake Womboki
Associate of Arts Fine Arts
Lindsay Jean Burland-Roullier, D’Arcy Felixia Ellis and Barbara Kay Poirier
Associate of Arts Liberal Arts
Vaneta Brown Eagle *, Wayne Allen Freeman
Rachel Holsinger **, Sara Lee James *, Raelyn Sanchez, Dine’ Warriors-Pistol Bullet* and Taylor Williams
Associate of Arts Native American Studies
Daniel T. Beavers, Patrick J. Chiefstick, Jr., Joelfre’ Legene Grant and Christopher Lefthand
Native American Studies Certificate of Completion
DesiRae Dawn Nault
Associate of Applied Science Business Technology
Jillene June Graves, Joshua Jay Krump, Guadalupe Vargas *, Jenalei Marie Weatherwax and Johanna Whiteplume
Dental Assisting Certificate of Completion
Kourtnie Gopher, Misty Ostlie, Sonya Paul and Ramona Ray
Office Professions Certificate of Completion
Anna Marie Adolph *, Julie Ann Bick, Joshua J. Krump, Tyra Babett Nielsen, Christina Terry and Desara Shalene Yellow Owl
Medical Clerk Certificate of Completion
Anna Marie Adolph *, Julie Ann Bick, Rainelle J. Edmo, Sharria L. Frazier, Molly Elizabeth Kennedy, Constance Moss and Tyra Babett Nielsen
Highway Construction Certificate of Completion
Cordell E. Beaumont, Neal Jerome Levi Beaumont II, Nathaniel Elliot Deputy, Lawren Arleen Flat Lip, Brandon Francis Gerrity, Melinda Ann Gwin, Ethan Hirsch, Randall D. Johnson, Erin Daryl Thomas Martin, Skylar E. Nowlen, Justin Paul Pease, Jason Rogers, Angelica Sue Shining Double, Theodora Suzanna Warrior, Herschel Wolf Black and Zachary Wombold
*Colville Campus
**Spokane Campus
***Wellpinit Campus
