It was a joyous day of celebration at the Winter Honors Convocation as more than 148 full and part-time Washtenaw Community College students were recognized for academic excellence.
Participating in the convocation were WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca, Dean of Arts and Sciences Kris Good, and Dean of Health Sciences Valerie Greaves. Dr. William Abernethy, interim vice president for instruction, emceed the ceremony.
Student speaker Paul Arsene Katokwe addresses the Winter Honors Convocation audience. | Photo by CJ South
Christina Fleming, WCC Board of Trustee vice chair, gave inspirational remarks and congratulated the students on behalf of the entire Board of Trustees. She recognized the hard work and sacrifices each honors student went through to achieve high scholastic honors.
(View more photos from the 2017 Winter Honors Convocation)
Diana McKnight-Morton, chair of the WCC Board of Trustees, and William Milliken Jr., treasurer of the Board of Trustees, were also present to congratulate the students and offer their best wishes.
Student Speaker
Student speaker Paul Arsene Katokwe, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gave a moving speech about his experience as a WCC international student and expressed how warmly he was embraced upon arriving on campus.
“Determination is power,” said Katokwe, who now serves as a WCC student ambassador. “It’s been a long time, but I’ve finally reached the top.”
By SUSAN FERRARO, APR
Director of Media Relations