MCCC Celebrates GED Grads

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POTTSTOWN - Montgomery County Community College recently held its spring graduation ceremony for 47 students who each earned a General Educational Development diploma at the Pottstown campus.

MCCC Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs Jian Zhang congratulated the students on their GED achievement and encouraged them to continue their educational endeavors.

“Like Walt Disney said, ‘All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,’” Zhang told the graduates.

State Rep. Marcy Toepel also praised the students on their accomplishment. “Your horizons are unlimited,” she said. “Your diploma is your ticket to great opportunities.”

GED program coordinator and instructor Raymond Ricketts said 642 students graduated since the program started in 2006 and the graduation rate is 87 percent.

“This is important to me because you are important."      - WIB Chairman Harvey Portner

The Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board funds the program, which is free to applicants and held at the MCCC's West Campus. 

For many students, the five-week program is the start they need to advance their lives, especially for student speaker Dean Potter Jr. of Pottstown.

“This course is a wonderful thing, and it makes it easier for people like me who have a job and a family to get ahead,” said Potter, who was able to go from part-time to full-time work with his employer because he earned a GED.

Several graduates are already planning for the future.

Christin Holguin of Hatfield enrolled for the fall semester at the college to become a registered nurse.

Stanford Sloan Jr. of Ambler will take business administration program courses this fall.

WIB Chairman Harvey Portner attended every GED ceremony since the program started six years ago.

“This is important to me because you are important," he said.