Kent Ashtabula celebrates 78th commencement
May 10—ASHTABULA — The uniqueness of the Kent Ashtabula experience was illustrated by commencement speaker Tiffani Doherty, who took a non-traditional path to her college degree.
Doherty started her college career at Bethany College in 1990 after graduating from Geneva High School, but entered the workforce after two years.
She worked for a short period of time as a sales associate for a local radio station before starting a career with Progressive Insurance that continues into its 28th year. Doherty has served in many positions and is currently Manager of Business Process leading the Payment Experience Team.
Doherty decided to work toward her degree when the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree on Thursday evening
"We come together as one class, but we are exceptionally diverse," Doherty said.
She detailed her classmates' diverse political, economic and religious backgrounds.
Doherty said the one core value that drew the students together was hope.
"Every graduate in this room started with a hope for a better future," she said.
Even the age of students varied greatly as Doherty said she had classes with children as young as 12 and people older than herself. She also shared her internal struggle with what it was like to be a student, full-time worker, wife and mother.
"If I got an A on an exam that meant I got a C or a D in some other area of my life," she said.
"We would never have made it this far without support," Doherty said of the many family members and friends who assisted the students during their journey.
"Often times my children were the biggest supporters. ...They told me they believed in me," she said.
R. William Ayers IV, interim dean and chief administrative officer at Kent Ashtabula, greeted the students, faculty, family and friends.
"As you step beyond this day, know that you are capable of greatness," he said.
The Ashtabula Area College Committee presented several awards for academic excellence and one for post-graduation excellence for a previous graduate and one for community service in Ashtabula County.
Gordon Estlack, a 2003 Kent Ashtabula graduate, received the Roger T. Beitler Award for his significant accomplishments in the field of physical therapy. He is a physical therapist in Findlay and is a committee member of the Hancock County Parkinsons Network to promote available services for those dealing with the disease.
Longtime Ashtabula County healthcare professional Cheryle J. Chiaramonte received the Community Service Award for her decades of work. She was also honored for nine years as a college committee member and 20 years on the Ashtabula Foundation Board of Directors.
