1202 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85013
602–285–7500

Graduating Students Look Back With Pride and Forward in Promise

by: Whitney Love & Christy Skeen

On Friday, May 16, the Phoenix College community will gather to honor and celebrate this semester’s graduating class. The Phoenix College Spring 2003 graduation ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Hoy Field and will host keynote speaker Peterson Zah, current advisor to the Arizona State University President on American Indian Affairs.

As a graduate of Phoenix College, the college community is pleased to welcome Zah who also holds a Bachelor’s degree from ASU in education. He also holds honorary Doctoral degrees from Colorado College and the College of Santa Fe. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Zah’s community involvement makes him a stellar keynote speaker for this semester’s graduation ceremony. He has served as the president of the Navajo Nation, western regional office director of the Save the Children organization and chairman of the Navajo Tribal Council.

This year’s graduating class proves to be a promising one with 15 students graduating with a 4.0 G.P.A. Additionally, more then 15 graduates are Academic All-Americans.

Graduate Profiles

Allen Merritt

As one of the 15 students graduating from Phoenix College with a 4.0 G.P.A., Allen Merritt knows how hard work and perseverance can pay off. Besides having a perfect G.P.A., he will also be giving the valedictory address at this year’s ceremony.

Merritt returned to higher education as a non-traditional student after years of working in the theatrical industry in New York City. His strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others as a motivational speaker brought him back to higher education and to Phoenix College.

"My experience at Phoenix College was diverse, which I really needed coming from New York City," said Merritt. "Phoenix College represents all of the Phoenix community. I loved learning from the instructors and students in my classes. I particularly enjoyed listening to their individual stories."

Merritt was involved with the scholastic honor society, Phi Theta Kappa and will be receiving his Associate’s Degree in Special Requirements. He would like to work in motivational therapy helping others reach their fullest human potential.

Angelica Bovelle-Akinyele

After living and working in Nigeria and England for more then 15 years, Angelica Bovelle-Akinyele has found a place to grow and learn at Phoenix College. During her time abroad, she worked as an executive officer at the University of Jos in northern Nigeria and at the University of Ile Ife in southwestern Nigeria.

As a great grandmother Bovelle-Akinyele is a non-traditional student proving to be an example to her family and the community. She is active in the Adults Who Are Returning to Education (AWARE) club and Honor Society. The highly motivated and energetic student is also on the Dean’s list and has been awarded scholarships from various community organizations.

"After I returned to the United States, I decided to go back to school because I was wasting away sitting at home and I could not get a job," said Bovelle-Akinyele. "At this point in my life I am living a maybe, hope to be life. Nothing is for sure but going back to school helps me make the most of it."

Bovelle-Akinyele advises students to take their time when completing coursework and to remain focused. She will be receiving her Associate’s Degree in General Studies.

"I’ve seen students take too many classes plus work full-time and then drop-out," she said. "You cannot do it all. You have to prioritize and always do what is best for yourself as a student. You can do whatever you want to do, no matter what anyone else may say if you believe in yourself."

In five years she hopes to be involved with Toastmasters or another organization doing public speaking.

Fernando Alvarado

Fernando Alvarado has served his campus community well. Alvarado enrolled at Phoenix College with limited formal English skills and has gone on to graduate with honors. He is also a member of the national honor society Phi Theta Kappa.

Alvarado overcame several obstacles as a student living with a spinal cord injury and has become a role model and mentor for other students with special needs.

"The instructors as well as the staff in the Office of Disability Services at Phoenix College helped me become successful," said Alvarado. "They all gave me a lot of attention and helped me to accomplish my goals."

"From the moment I met Fernando, he has been nothing but motivated towards becoming the best person he can be," said Richard Cortes, Academic Advisor in the Office of Disability Services at Phoenix College. "He is what Phoenix College is all about: diversity and always doing your best in spite of challenges. No matter what has happened to him in the past, nothing will ever stop him in the future!"

Goal setting will not end for Alvarado after graduation. He plans to improve his English language skills and will be enrolling in Arizona State University’s Graphic Arts program.

Tracy McAnly and Laramie Semmler

This year’s graduating class will include a unique mother and daughter team, Tracy McAnly and Laramie Semmler. Both McAnly (mother) and Semmler (daughter) will graduate from the Dental Assisting Program with 4.0 cumulative grade point averages.

This mother and daughter pair recently learned of their acceptance into the highly competitive Dental Hygiene Program. So they will continue their daily drives in the carpool lane to Phoenix College and their nightly study sessions.

"This was my third time trying to get into the Dental Hygiene program," said McAnly. "I finally did it! I guess it was worth the wait, now knowing Laramie and I can go through the program together."

McAnly admits that she may have to work a littler harder for her good grades; however, both have done exceptionally well in the program.

"I do admit that my mother role does emerge on occasion," McAnly added. "If we have a huge test, I always seem to ask Laramie if she has studied."

"This has been a great experience for us both," said Semmler. "We are extremely close and get along very well. This closeness has helped us so much. Those other mother and daughter teams need to have this type of relationship from the beginning in order to be successful in school. It is important to give each other a lot of support."