Graduates from Oakland Community College (OCC) rallied around the theme “We are the Change” as they celebrated their dreams come true in front of thousands of family and friends at two “packed house” ceremonies.
The celebration recognized overcoming obstacles, coming out stronger and achieving academic accomplishments at the College’s 58th annual commencement held at Oakland University’s O’rena in Rochester, Mich.
“As I stand here today, I couldn’t be more of our graduates. Each of you has your own important story and every one of you has worked hard to change yourselves and your future," said OCC Chancellor Peter Provenzano. “As you take a mental picture of this incredible day, mark this moment knowing you have created change not just for yourself, but in your family, our community and the world.”
Nearly 1,900 OCC graduates earn associate degrees and certificates
The Commencement Ceremony featured two of the nearly 1,900 OCC graduates. Sarah Lefler and Gabrielle Rush served as keynote speakers for the morning and afternoon ceremonies, respectively. They each reflected on how OCC empowered their growth and change.
Sarah Lefler, a mother of three, wanted to make a change and pursue a lifelong dream. The 2024 OCC graduate earned three associate degrees and showed her young family that it is never too late to chase your dreams. Lefler first attended college after high school but faced significant challenges and ended up dropping out. She got licensed as a veterinary tech but never lost sight of her dream of being a veterinarian.
“Everyone has plans in their lives, be it as simple as planning for dinner or the route you drive home, to something as complex as to what you will be doing for the next 5 to 10 years,” she said. “But as Robert Burns famously stated in his poem To a Mouse, ‘Even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”
After several years, ‘a lot of self-improvements including therapy (for mental illness) and the support of everyone around me,’ she decided to go to school again.” She plans to transfer to Michigan State University before applying to Veterinary Doctorate school.
Gabrielle Rush inspired others saying, “Allow yourself to dream and never be complacent when you know you are capable of more. I hope you discover your strengths and grow confident in your abilities without seeking validation or comparison from others and recognize success is not linear. I encourage you to find your ‘why’ and ‘what makes you passionate.’”
Rush began serving her community in ministry before moving from the suburbs of Chicago to Michigan. At the time, she was 18 years old and pregnant. She wanted to make a change and serve her community in new ways. At OCC, she gained her confidence, challenged herself to do better and found her ‘why.” Currently, she is at Wayne State University pursuing two bachelor's degrees in PublicAffairs, the other in Urban Studies and a minor in Economics. She is an active student leader, participating in efforts to revitalize Detroit and working two internships for the Environmental Protection Agency and TechTown Detroit.
Graduates aged 16 to 79, represent diverse backgrounds, experience and future plans
Four graduates spoke via a video address. They included: Aaliyah Coe, a young single mother, Detroit Promise Zone scholarship awardee and aspiring journalist;LeeAndra Haywood, a first-generation graduate and up-and-coming University of Michigan Hospital nurse; Joshua McCoury former executive chef, Michigan Reconnect scholarship recipient and Wayne State University global supply chain management transfer student; and Niko Speck,Oakland Early College graduate and future engineer who started at OCC at age 13.
This year’s oldest graduate was Vietnam Marine veteran, 79-year-old Victor Lyman who finished after starting at OCC 40 years prior.Bryce Sweeneyis one of this year’s youngest graduates at age 16 who graduated with three associate degrees as a high-school dual enrolled student.
See, hear and get inspired
To view more OCC Graduate stories, go to Meet the Graduates at oaklandcc.edu/commencement/meet-the-grads-2024.
To view the OCC’s 2024 Commencement from the archived Facebook Live event, visit:
Morning Ceremony at facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=search&v=1380097376021736
Afternoon Ceremony at facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=search&v=818412666866688
For OCC Commencement photos, visit flickr.com/photos/oaklandcc/albums/
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling with face-to-face and online options. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training with expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | 248.341.2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu