500-plus will Receive Degrees at 2017 Big Bend Commencement

As young as 17, and as old as 58, that is the age span of the more than 500 students who will receive degrees Friday evening at the 2017 Big Bend Community College Commencement Ceremony being held at Lions Field in Downtown Moses Lake.

The 505 members of the Class of 2017 has earned a total of 529 degrees and includes graduates from Canada, Israel, Japan, Korea and the United Kingdom as well as from 30 cities and towns across the state of Washington.

Also included are 123 Running Start students who have earned both a high school diploma and an associate degree during the last two years at Big Bend.

“For most of our students here at Big Bend, earning their degree was not a solo venture,” said BBCC Director of Communications Matt Killebrew. “Although this ceremony is centered on the graduates, a lot of the thanks and congratulations should also be extended to the families and friends of these students who have also sacrificed to make this day a reality.”

Graduation keynote speaker and 2016 Big Bend graduate Jacob Barth, a third-generation auctioneer with Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers, will address the 2017 class. Barth attended his first auction when he was two weeks old, conducted his first auction at nine, and received his auctioneer license in Washington State when he was 14. At Big Bend, he received an associate’s degree in Business, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and served two terms as Associate Student Body Vice President.

“Jacob Barth is an excellent example of the high-quality graduates coming from Big Bend Community College,” said Big Bend President Dr. Terry Leas.  “He has enjoyed academic success, demonstrated effective leadership, and has generously contributed his time and talent to helping the Big Bend Community College Foundation raise funds for student scholarships. We are honored that he will be our keynote speaker this year.”

The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will be streaming live HERE for those who are unable to attend via iFiber One News.