Ceremony of Completion at Harford’s Leading Edge Training Center in Edgewood

The first-ever Ceremony of Completion and Celebration was held on August 31 for 49 students who completed their programs of study at Harford’s Leading Edge Training Center Powered by the Ratcliffe Foundation located at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford and Cecil Counties in Edgewood, MD. The students celebrated at this event were those who completed programs offering Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Scholarships. Students earned credentials from Harford Community College in one or more of the following: Heavy Equipment Operations; Forklift Certification Training; Warehousing, Supply Chain, and Logistics; and Hydraulics & Pneumatics. Most of the completers gained employment after their training, or if already employed, received promotions, salary increases, or additional opportunities from their current employers. The Rural Maryland Council also provided funding for the College to offer programming and community resources at the Edgewood training center to expand the regional economy and increase access to and provide hands-on learning for entry-level manufacturing, construction trades, healthcare, and technology training, among other workforce development opportunities.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Theresa B. Felder, President of Harford Community College, stated, “This event is many years in the making; a culmination of efforts from the business community, government, community members, the Boys & Girls Clubs, and of course, the Ratcliffe Foundation, who helped make this dream a reality to the completers. We are so very proud of you, and I know that it’s always easy when you start, but not so easy to finish.  Congratulations on all your hard work.”

Remarks were made by others including Derek DeWitt, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford & Cecil Counties, who offered congratulations to the graduates. Teyon King, Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Scholarship Recipient, was the student speaker. Dr. Austin Hill, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Harford Community College, gave closing remarks.

A reception for students and their guests followed the ceremony.

Completers include Jafar Abedrabuh (H & F), Muneer Abedrabuh (F), Nathan Acampora (H & F), Isaac Alford (W), Jennifer Barstow (W), Patrick Bastian (H), Elisa Bennett (W), Derrick Bowser (F), Tyler Burns (F), Jason Capitano (H & F), Jeremy Christopher (F), Elijah Cruz (F), Courtney DeRiggs (F), Kole Dobash (F), Monkoya Dorman (F), Shawn Mitchell Dungca (W), Efren Edwards (W), Heather Gast (W), Frederique Golden (W), Joshua Goren (F), Heath Hutchinson (Y & F), Alan Johnson (H & F), Marcus Johnson (F), Teyon King (H & F), Joshua Klapaska (W), Erik Lane (H & F), Anthony Ledrick (F), Charles Lembach III (F), Austin Loss (F), Alexander Marcin (F), Blake McLain (F), Ronald McLaughlin (Y), Brodie Monk (Y & F), Logan Morrison (F), Robert Murphy (W), David Nevins (F), Kevin O’Brien (H & F), Zachary Paradis (F), Justin Rios (F), Ethan Robinson (Y & F), Jason Sales (F), William Scott (Y & F), Gregory Shinn (F), Muhammad Ayshad Siddique (F), Kevin Smith (F), Bryan Stiemke (F), Monique Stiemke (F), John Van Klei (F), and Noah Witherspoon (F). 

Key: Heavy Equipment Operations (H), Forklift Certification Training (F), Warehousing, Supply Chain, and Logistics (W), Hydraulics and Pneumatics (Y)

Harford Community College offers workforce and career training in a wide variety of areas including construction/trades, IT/computers, allied health, and more. For additional information these programs, visit the Workforce and Career Training webpage.

Photo Credit: Ujen Jonchhe, Harford Community College  

Back Row (L to R): Dr. Timothy Sherwood, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Sherry Massoni, Associate Vice President for Workforce & Community Education; program completers Jason Capitano, Alan Johnson, Nathan Acampora, Teyon King, Isaac Alford, Efren Edwards Jr., and William Scott; Rose Sieracki, Administrative Assistant, Office of Strategic Partnerships; Dr. Austin Hill, Director of Strategic Partnerships; and Dr. Theresa B. Felder, President of Harford Community College. Front Row/Seated (L to R): Completers Courtney DeRiggs, Eric Lane, Siddique Muhammad, Shawn Dungca, Monique Stiemke, Heath Hutchinson, Jennifer Barstow, and John Van Klei. The Ceremony of Completion and Celebration was held at Harford’s Leading Edge Training Center Powered by the Ratcliffe Foundation in Edgewood on August 31 to recognize students who completed their programs of study there.