For SCC, 'Going Pro' signing showcases academic, workforce accomplishments
Apr. 10—Signing day for a student is an experience — knowing that you get to be a part of a team that will not only make a difference in your career but will elevate those around you.
While most of us associate signings with sports, however, Somerset Community College turned the tables Wednesday by holding a signing day for those who scoring in their academic fields rather than on the court or grid.
SCC held a Going Pro Signing Day for 49 students entering fields like health care, manufacturing, logistics and business services.
Those students signed directly on the dotted line to commit to businesses like TTAI, the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, the Rockcastle Regional Hospital, Martin's Peterbilt, Baxters North America, Symbosis Media Group, Highlands Diversified, EST Tool and Machine, UGN and Fair Oaks Health and Rehabilitation.
The ceremony, held on the Somerset SCC campus, celebrated the accomplishments of students throughout SCC's campuses, which include the Laurel, Casey, Clinton, McCreary and Russell locations.
"Today's ceremony is a testament to the hard work, dedication and resilience of our graduates," said SCC President Dr. Carey Castle. "They've overcome challenges, pursued excellence, and are now ready to embark on the next chapter of their professional journeys."
Chris Girdler, president and CEO of the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority (SPEDA), was the ceremony's keynote speaker, and he honored each student for the work they put into getting their various certificates and degrees.
"I cannot begin to tell the students, the graduates, just how proud I am of them and how appreciative SPEDA is as an organization of your hard work and your determination that you've exhibited," Girdler said. "We know that your future is going to be very bright, as long as you continue down the current path that've you've undertaken."
Girdler also noted, "Each of you all are living out your own American success story."
Among those who walked the stage Wednesday to sign with their respective businesses was Brittany Bolen, who will be joining UGN — although she technically has been working there for eight years and has been working full time in her new role for a couple of months.
Bolen will be receiving a two-year Industrial Maintenance degree, and seemed to approve of the ceremony that recognized herself and her fellow students.
"It's nice to have recognition for all the work I've been going through to get to this point," she said.
She added, "It's crazy to see how many people are going (into careers), and this is just the people getting hired on directly. That's not even the people that haven't gotten hired through the program."
She noted that there were a lot of students on both the manufacturing and nursing sides of the school being honored.
"I enjoy seeing more women coming through the manufacturing side; there's not many women going through the manufacturing side of things," she said.
Likewise, there were many students setting off down the healthcare path.
"One of the reasons we have so many nursing graduates is because we have expanded that program," SCC's Dr. Ron Meade told the crowd.
Not only did the school expand to the outlying campus, but they also increased the number of students admitted to the Somerset campus, he said.
Among the students signing to the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital's Practical Nursing department were Kaylee Wilson, Zachary Epperson and Amanda Linville.
After the ceremony, Wilson was asked for her thoughts on what it meant to be recognized.
"It's just really special," she said. "It's thoughtful. I just feel appreciated.
"I appreciate the experience, and am appreciative of the people getting together to throw an event like this for us," Epperson added.
When asked about her decision to go through the SCC nursing program, Linville said, "I'm excited to see where this takes me."
Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com
