FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – Soldiers, civilians and an Airman from the college graduating classes of 2022 and 2023 were honored in a joint commencement ceremony hosted by the Education Center on Sept. 29 at Fitch Auditorium.
“Today we are here to celebrate our graduates from the 2022 and 2023 school year,” said Neri Yusufoff, chief of Education Services. “On behalf of the Education Center, we would like to thank you for allowing us to be part of your education journey and for allowing us to celebrate with you today.”
After the welcoming introduction, Keith Guin, honorary guest speaker and board president of the Tombstone Unified School District, took the podium to acknowledge the accomplishments of the graduates and speak about each students’ growth as they continue to gain more knowledge and wisdom.
“Pay attention to where your comfort zone is at, it does not stay static,” Guin said. “Your comfort zone continues to grow as you grow, as you build on your knowledge and gain that wisdom. You will see that your comfort zone expands so that you are not only learning but also growing.”
Guin thanked the audience for allowing him to speak with the graduates and congratulated them on their academic achievements. He also wished them well in their future academic journeys.
Next up was student guest speaker Warrant Officer Nina Hindsman, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
Hindsman began by congratulating her fellow graduates and by thanking all the friends, family members, education support staff, Buena High School band, and Buena High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Color Guard team for joining them in celebration of their academic achievements.
“Graduates, we did it, we made it,” Hindsman said. “For some of us this might’ve been an easy road where you breezed through school and got your degree, but I would be very surprised to hear anyone in here today say that.”
She reminded the audience these graduates are a unique group of people, not just because they are college students but also because they are fulltime service members, retirees, civil servants or family members.
“When the duty of the country calls, we go, but our life does not stop,” Hindsman said. “Our goals do not get put on hold and our aspirations do not die. We continue to strive and push forward while accomplishing our duties and continuing to pursue our educational goals.”
Hindsman left the graduates with a final parting thought, “Fail until you don’t and change the world in the process.”
Following Hindsman’s speech, the graduating students had their degrees conferred and were called up one at a time to receive their diploma and to be celebrated by their friends and families.
Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Clark Kuhling, Yusufoff, Guin and Dr. Andrew Marquez, executive director, and campus dean for Wayland Baptist University’s Arizona campuses, presented the degrees.
Graduate students included: Vivian Bright, Master of Science of nursing (nursing administration) from University of St. Francis; Timothy Reed, Master of Business Administration in entrepreneurship with distinction from American Military University; and Frances Zephrin, Master of Science in cybersecurity technology from University of Maryland Global Campus.
Undergraduate students included: Staff Sgt. Erin Elliott, Bachelor of Science in computer networking and cyber security with a minor in digital forensics from University of Maryland Global Campus; Tech. Sgt. Quimithia Williams, Bachelor of Arts in psychology from American Military University; Staff Sgt. Joshua Linder, Bachelor of Science in network operations and security from Western Governors University.
Associate degree students included: Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Becker, Associate of Applied Science in intelligence operations studies from Cochise College; Sgt. 1st Class Lakesha Copeland, associate degree in general studies from American Military University; retired 1st Sgt. Maritere Rodriguez, Associate of Applied Science in intelligence operations studies with a concentration in counterintelligence from Cochise College, dean’s list and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Rodriguez also earned a Bachelor of Science in national security with a major in intelligence and security analysis from Excelsior University, Magna Cum Laude; and 1st Sgt. Kurt Legnon, Associate of Applied Science in intelligence operations studies from Cochise College.
Finally, Col. John Ives, garrison commander, earned an Academic Certificate in public management from Arizona State University.
Following the ceremony, the graduates celebrated their accomplishments with their family and friends.
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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