FORT RILEY, Kan. -- Tears of joy were shed throughout the audience as graduates of the Fort Riley community crossed the stage during the combined graduation ceremony at the Courtyard by Marriott and Geary County Convention Center in Junction City, Kansas, May 19.
"Today is a special day in the lives of our honored graduates," said Shirley Avant-Ferguson, education services officer.
Graduates consisted of Soldiers, veterans and family members who received degrees and certificates from partnering colleges and universities.
The student invited to speak at the ceremony was retired Sgt. Jenise Hiram, who received a Bachelor of Science in social science and certificate in psychology from Upper Iowa University.
Hiram, originally from Bronx, New York, started her speech with an anecdote from a doctor's waiting room the week before, where a woman she was having a conversation with asked her why she was here in Junction City.
"I'm an African-American female who is from the South Bronx," Hiram said. "I grew up in an environment where it told me I could not possibly be where I am standing at today. I grew up in a household where there was severe mental illness, where there was alcoholism, where there was abuse. Why am I here?"
Hiram's words received applause and cheers from audience members and graduates as they gazed up at her from their seats.
"The reason that every one of us sits here today is a change of mindset," Hiram said. "No matter how small or large the obstacles, we travel through them and we endure. Why are we here? We are here because of deployments, family separation. Why are we here? We are here because of NTC rotations, missed anniversaries. We're here because of missed firsts. Why are we here? We're here because of outstanding work ethic, determination and a family support system that is like no other in the world."
Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, deputy commanding general for support, 1st Infantry Division, was the second guest to speak to graduates and their supporters.
"Your division, the Big Red One, is proud of you and your educational accomplishments," he said. "Ladies and gentleman, the 341 graduates from the class of 2016 represent the next greatest generation. The 147 family members, 77 veterans, 30 Department of the Army civilians and 87 Soldiers accepted the same challenge as our World War II veterans, pursuing education and lifelong learning for the betterment of their families and for our nation."
Afterwards, a representative from each of the partner colleges and universities said a few words before presenting degrees to the graduates of their school. An addition to the ceremony was Hutchinson Community College's first-ever Fort Riley class of licensed nurse practitioner graduates, giving the community even more options to further their education and careers.
This year's combined graduation ceremony was the largest in its history, which required it to be held in a larger off-post facility.
"Next year we will have to hold it on the K-State football field," Frank joked.
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