22-05-2025
'Truly exceptional': LCCC celebrates largest graduating class in college's history
CHEYENNE — Laramie County Community College staff, administrators and students celebrated the largest graduating class in the college's 57-year history with 976 degrees and certificates awarded over the course of three different commencement ceremonies Saturday.
'That is truly exceptional,' said LCCC President Joe Schaffer.
The schools of Arts and Sciences; Business, Agriculture and Technical Studies; and Health Sciences and Wellness each held a separate ceremony at the Blue Federal Credit Union Recreation and Athletics Complex on the Cheyenne campus.
Parents, grandparents, daughters, sons, siblings and friends filled the bleachers on either side of the gymnasium. Many brought flowers for their grad, and a few others made giant poster boards with colorful lettering. Loved ones cheered from the side as each grad waltzed across the stage to accept their degree.
To begin each ceremony, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Kari Brown-Herbst held a moment of silence to contemplate the accomplishments celebrated that day. After the moment of silence was a list of introductions and the national anthem.
Faculty member Dave Zwonitzer was the base bearer for the graduation ceremonies, where he was also recognized as the longest-serving faculty member at LCCC. Brown-Herbst noted that this year marks Zwonitzer's 47th year teaching at the community college.
Dreamers build
After the introductions and a rendition of the National Anthem, sung by Dani Beightol and Taylor McCollum, Schaffer gave a welcome speech to the 2025 graduating class.
'We're here to recognize all that you've done here at LCCC,' Schaffer said. 'Upon your graduation, you will join thousands of LCCC alumni who share your accomplishments. And while you are similar in that fashion, you are unique in a very special way.'
The power of dreams was the foundation of Schaffer's oration. He asked each of the sitting grads to picture a rancher on the high plains in Wyoming whose work established a multi-generational homestead.
Or a woman from Mexico who immigrated to America for a chance at a better life.
Or a man who escaped from Nazi Germany and devoted his life to teaching.
Or a young Nigerian woman, who grew up in a place where access to health care and electricity is limited, but studied by candlelight to earn her medical degree.
Or Thomas Jefferson, one of America's Founding Fathers, who wrote in the Declaration of Independence 'that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.'
'That dream launched a nation in perfect hope. It was, and still is, striving toward that idea,' Schaffer said. 'Five very different people — a rancher, an immigrant, a refugee of war, an international student, a Founding Father — all tied together by a belief that tomorrow could be better than today.'
Hope for change is good, but not enough by itself, Schaffer said. Dreams are visions that demand 'clarity, direction and the courage to act.'
'Dream of stronger communities, of meaningful work, of lives with purpose,' Schaffer said. 'Dream not just of what you can take from the world, but what you can give back. And then act.'
Persevere
Student Government Association President Caius Krupp delivered the commencement address during the 9 a.m. graduation ceremony. Krupp reminded his peers that challenges are inevitable, but a little perseverance goes a long way.
He began his college journey at a four-year institution, but quickly saw that he'd underestimated the level of homesickness and difficulty of classes he would face. When Krupp learned his father was sick, he returned home after the end of the semester.
'I started taking classes here as a promise to my mother that I would be the first one in our family to graduate,' Krupp said.
But when he lost his father that semester, Krupp thought he lost any chances of graduating. An instructor pulled him aside after Krupp missed a month's worth of classes to ask what the problem was.
'It made me double down and realize what an opportunity this college is,' Krupp said. 'I tell you this story not to make you pity me, but to show you what Laramie County Community College has let me do, and hopefully has let many of you do.'
He asked the graduates to remember their own challenges and how they've overcome them.
Many of the college grads were in school during the pandemic. High schoolers missed out on proms and a traditional graduation, classes were online and some lost loved ones. This generation of students had to relearn how to navigate society and what it means to socialize when the world finally emerged from lockdown.
'For some of us, this is just the start of a broader education. ... For others, this is the start of a new career,' Krupp said. 'I want you all to remember … your ability to persevere through the challenges you face and the support of all those wonderful people along the way.'
