BBCC celebrates a first with 2023 graduation
Members of the first cohort of Big Bend’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management degree program take a selfie after receiving their diplomas.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/BBCC
Members of the class of 2023 pose with their diplomas after receiving their degrees Friday evening at Lions Field in downtown Moses Lake.
MOSES LAKE — With cloud cover providing cool weather Friday evening at Lions Field in Downtown Moses Lake, Big Bend Community College made history conferring its new Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management degree on 26 students along with 513 other graduates who received associate degrees or high school diplomas.
“I really want to thank Big Bend for implementing this new BAS-AM program and making it accessible to our community,” said BAS-AM Cohort 1 representative Shelley Mease.
Friday night marked the completion of the first BAS-AM cohort with 90% completing the program within two years, 65% being adult students working full-time jobs, and more than half of graduates being first-generation college students.
“My (associate’s) degree is in Early Childhood Education and I was planning to major in social work. However, to do that, I was going to have to transfer to a university which would have meant commuting and made it very difficult. When I saw information about the new (BAS-AM) degree, I knew that it was for me. What a blessing to be able to stay local and complete this degree through Big Bend Community College,” Mease said.
In total, 523 graduates from 60 cities and towns across the state of Washington and from California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and the country of Mongolia crossed the stage earning 539 degrees — including 119 Running Start students who earned both their high school diplomas and an associate’s degree.
“All of us here today have overcome many obstacles on our paths to completing our educations,” said 2023 Associated Student Body President Paige Tolly. “… Obstacles are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth. Each setback taught us valuable lessons about perseverance, determination, and resilience. It is in the face of adversity that we discovered our true strength and capabilities.”
BBCC President Dr. Sara Thompson-Tweedy closed out the ceremony with a grateful message to the class of 2023.
“Your degree symbolizes, not only knowledge, but also persistence, a renewed sense of self-confidence, and is a clear demonstration of inner strength. And know that we are grateful that you spent part of your life’s journey with us. We send you into the world to stand as leaders! You make us proud.”
Viking Degree Breakdown:
26 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees
301 Arts & Science degrees
96 Associate in Applied Science degrees
17 Associate in Nursing Transfer degrees
16 Business Transfer degrees
8 General Studies degrees
7 Associate in Applied Science Transfer degrees
4 Pre-Nursing Transfer degrees
5 Associate in Science Transfer degrees
59 High School Diplomas
Editor’s Note: BBCC President Sara Thompson-Tweedy will join Columbia Basin Herald staff this Friday on the Studio Basin Podcast to discuss happenings at the school as well as what is happening at Grant County Animal Outreach, for which she is president of the board.
