FORT LEAVENWORTH — Barton Community College graduated 13 students through its Fort Leavenworth campus Wednesday evening, Dec. 11.
The relatively new campus has been in operation since 2012 and the good word of Barton’s offerings has been spreading throughout post. The Fort Leavenworth campus has more than doubled the number of students served each year.
“I was behind at (another college),” said graduate Amanda Pina. “But I heard about Barton and its flexible schedules. I took four summer classes right away. Then I took two more full semester loads and ended up graduating early.”
Pina plans to continue her education at the University of Kansas, where she will double-major in elementary education and psychology.
“Attending Barton was absolutely fantastic,” she said. “The teachers are great and it was an amazing experience, and I have made many life-long friends. I still go visit past teachers because they had such an impact on me.”
Kimberly Reece received her associate of science degree Wednesday evening, after spending many months balancing her home business and spending time with her husband and daughter.
“I loved it,” she said of her time spent at Barton. “It’s great and I refer people all the time.”
Retired Brigadier General Mike Callan, Associate VP for Military and Governmental Programs for Webster University, addressed the crowd of Barton graduates, along with graduates from Webster University and Central Michigan University, with a David-Letterman-style list of 10 reasons why education is fantastic; from the opening of doors to future educational and vocational opportunities to a strong sense of pride and, of course, better salaries.
He said with Christmas right around the corner, a finished degree will sweeten the holiday joy for the fall graduates.
“Education is a gift that just keeps on giving,” he said. “The lives of your families just got better.”