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195 Graduates Celebrated at WKCTC 2025 Spring Commencement

by Justin Jones

Paducah, KY (05/14/2025) — West Kentucky Community and Technical College celebrated the accomplishments of 195 graduates during two Spring 2025 Commencement on May 12 at The Carson Center for the Performing Arts.

Students were eligible to receive associate degrees, diplomas and certificates during the ceremonies. Paducah Mayor George Bray served as the keynote speaker, and graduating students Joan McLeod-Philbee of Calvert City and Samyuth Pinnegar of Paducah delivered the student addresses.

Bray shared a deeply personal speech reflecting on life challenges and growth.

"First, your success is going to be determined by your response to the challenges that you encounter. So embrace your failures, for with failure, growth and development occur," Bray told graduates. "Second, personal relationships are an important part of your life. Each of these relationships has value and can contribute significantly to your success. Don't be afraid to seek new relationships and invest in the time to build those relationships when the opportunity arises."

McLeod-Philbee, a business administration graduate, shared her story of perseverance. Born and raised in Jamaica, she migrated to the United States in 2020 to pursue a better life.

"I became a mother, and like so many single parents my focus shifted to survival," McLeod-Philbee said. "Education felt out of reach, not for lack of desire, but for lack of opportunity and resources. Still, that ember of hope never completely died."

She earned her GED and enrolled at WKCTC in fall 2022 at age 54. "No matter how different our paths, we all shared a common hope - the belief that we could build a better future if we just took that first step, and take it we did," she said.

Pinnegar, adopted from Cambodia by a West Paducah family, also shared his path to earning a degree at WKCTC.

"I'm extremely blessed to be here, thanks to a West Kentucky couple who fell in love with a malnourished and sickly orphan boy in Cambodia over two decades ago," Pinnegar said.

Following a major emergency surgery, he was inspired to pursue a nursing degree. "When I first began my journey here at WKCTC, my mother had written this encouraging letter to me," he said. "'Today is the first day of the rest of your life. I've always told you that your past doesn't define you. You get to write your own story Go chase your dreams, we will be cheering you on the whole way.'"

Other speakers included WKCTC President Anton Reece; Jay Simmons, chair of the WKCTC Board of Directors; and Chris Black, chair of the Paducah Junior College Board of Trustees.

WKCTC board members in attendance included Kenneth Hurt and faculty representative Heather Coltharp, professor of mathematics.

Students Christian Barrios and Avery Boulton each performed the national anthem at the beginning of their respective ceremonies.

WKCTC livestreamed the ceremonies on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. Both recordings are available for future viewing.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College has been recognized five times as an Aspen Prize Top 10 Community College by the Aspen Institute and named a Finalist with Distinction three times. The college offers more than 200 degree, diploma and certificate options and is known for high completion and transfer rates, job training and strong employment outcomes for graduates.

For more information, visit westkentucky.kctcs.edu.

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2025 Spring Commencement

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