More than 500 BC3 Students Graduate Yesterday

Butler County Community College held its 47th Annual Commencement
at 7PM yesterday in the Field House on main campus.

Dr. Thomas Ten Hoeve, Past President of BC3 from 1970-1984, gave the keynote
address. Chris Calhoun (’81), BC3 Professor and Coordinator of the Parks and
Recreation Program, gave the Distinguished Alumni address.

Dr. Thomas Ten Hoeve became the second president of Butler County Community College (BC3) in August of 1970.

During his 14-year tenure at BC3, the College gained full accreditation from The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; the Field House, the Library and Technology (now Business and Health Professions) Building, the Forum and telescope were constructed; Associate degrees in Nursing, Metrology, Criminology, and General Studies were established; BC3 began offering classes in Armstrong County at Lenape Vo Tech; and both the Men’s Basketball Team and the Women’s Volleyball Team won State Championships. Dr. Ten Hoeve has the longest tenure of any president in BC3’s history.

Prior to coming to BC3, Dr. Ten Hoeve was a biology instructor and then served as Academic Dean at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He later became the Acting President of Northwestern College for six months where he worked on gaining accreditation for the institution, an experience that later helped him to obtain accreditation for BC3.

Dr. Ten Hoeve received his doctorate from the University of Toledo. He completed post-doctoral studies at Purdue University, University of Western Michigan, and North Carolina State University. He received his Master of Arts from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor of Arts from Hope College.
Dr. Ten Hoeve has received numerous professional honors throughout his career including Who’s Who Among College and University Administrators; Outstanding Young Men in America; Outstanding Educators of America, Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans; and Men of Achievement.

In July of 1984, Dr. Ten Hoeve left BC3 to become the President of Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois, where he served from 1984 to 1995.

Dr. Ten Hoeve is retired and lives in Holland, Michigan, with his wife Suzanne.

Dr. Ten Hoeve was unable to attend the school’s 50th Anniversary celebration in March, but he responded to an invitation that we sent to him and asked us if he could do something else. He was then invited him to come for Commencement.

A reception was also held for him, since he wanted to meet and greet some of the
people he worked with while he was president.

BC3 student and Metrology major, Lee Thompson, gave the student address. BC3 student and Nursing major, Stephanie Brackbill, spoke as the new student alumni
representative. BC3 student and Phi Theta Kappa member, Andrea Dean, presented
the tassel to the College mace and BC3 Student and Social Work major, Hunter Green, presented the tassel to the 50th Anniversary time capsule.

Grand Marshal Dr. Francie P. Spigelmyer, Vice President for Academic Affairs,
lead the procession followed by Faculty Marshals Judy Wadding,
Humanities and Social Sciences Professor, and Laura Wiest, Business Instructor.
Student Marshals were Lindsay Herr and Deb Kruger, both Humanities and Social
Sciences Instructor s.

Graduates, family, and friends were also invited to attend a reception catered by
Fairground Market with entertainment by Winsor Brass immediately following the
ceremony in Founders Hall.

 

For the 2014-2015 academic year, there were 525 graduates: 163 received an
Associate in Arts Degree, 247 received an Associate in Applied Science degree,
64 received an Associate in Science degree, and 72 received a Certificate of
Achievement. Around 225 students marched during the ceremony.

 

At this year’s commencement, there were 24 students receiving two degrees, three
students receiving three degrees, and 16 veterans graduating. The programs with the most graduates are General Studies, Business Administration, Nursing, and Medical Coding.

BC3′s youngest graduate is 20 years old and the oldest
graduate is 63 years old.

 

The 50th Anniversary Time Capsule was buried near the Student Success Center
immediately following the ceremony. Faculty, students, and staff contributed
81 items from BC3 and popular culture to the time capsule, which is a foot locker
donated by a veteran.

BC3 hopes that this time capsule will be dug up and opened for the 100th Anniversary in 2065.

The ceremony was also streamed live online at bc3.edu.

Butler County Community College will return to Armstrong County at Lenape Tech this summer.