For Immediate Release:
May 19, 2025
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
Laurel Ridge Community College’s alumni base has grown by 1,090 students. That’s how many students earned a degree or credential this spring, or in summer or fall 2024. A commencement ceremony for students in health professions programs was held Thursday, May 15, and a second ceremony for all other students was held on Friday, May 16.
Among the graduates were 296 students still in high school who earned either an associate degree or uniform certificate in general studies – the equivalent of one year of college credits – through the dual-enrollment program.
The health professions graduates included 65 Registered Nursing students, 31 students earning degrees in Science: Health Professions, and 55 students earning career studies certificates in Pre-Allied Health.
Among all other graduates, General Studies was the No. 1 associate degree and certificate concentration. There were 59 students earning degrees in Business Administration, 38 students earning degrees or certificates in Cybersecurity, and 36 graduates earning degrees in Education. Other degrees and certificates ran the gamut from Engineering, to General Studies: Administration of Justice, to Health Information Management, to Liberal Arts, to Computer Science, to Patient Care Technician, to Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
President Kim Blosser congratulated the graduates on all of their hard work, resilience and perseverance.
“Those of us here today and those who have been part of your journey at Laurel Ridge are blessed to love what we do because you represent the great work we do,” she said. “Our wish for you today is that you will take the knowledge and skills you’ve learned to go and do what you love. We are so happy to have you as part of our Laurel Ridge alumni family, and we can’t wait to see what great work you do in your future.”
Surgical Technology graduate Deborah Zelleke-Yearwood was the health professions ceremony’s student speaker. She spoke of “hope through hardship” and “perseverance through pressure,” and how watching nurses take care of her newborn son in the NICU inspired her to enter the healthcare profession.
“My experience at Laurel Ridge has been nothing short of phenomenal, but it has not been without hardship,” said Zelleke-Yearwood, who spoke of losing her father last summer. “The pain and grief were so overwhelming, I seriously considered giving up school, but I chose hope through hardship. Hardships are an inevitable part of life that cannot be escaped, and I ask you, my fellow graduates, what were your hardships during your time here?
“You found hope through hardship, and persevered through pressure. We have toiled, worked hard, studied hard, laughed hard, cried hard, and today, May 15, 2025, we are here, triumphant in the daunting task that was set before us.…Today is not the end of our race. It is just the beginning. We now step into our calling, caring for others with compassion and skill.”
Friday’s commencement speaker was Wendy Antal, who earned her associate degree in General Studies. Juggling her roles as a wife, a mother and a “salty veteran,” Antal said she expected succeeding in college “would be a breeze,” but reality came crashing down. Failing a mid-term was her best memory at Laurel Ridge because it “challenged my ego,” and “gifted me the humility required to build some character.”
“I started to face challenges and made mistakes that forced me to stop and reflect,” said Antal. “I admitted my faults, swallowed my pride and retraced my steps. I saw where I messed up and missed out on important lessons. This simple habit became a game changer.
“My time here has taught me that life is not solely about being ahead or behind. There’s freedom and joy that comes from curiosity. Yesterday is in our memories. Tomorrow is imagined. This moment right now is what’s real. Fellow Laurel Ridge graduates, we all share unique stories that have shaped us into who we are today. I encourage you to cherish these experiences, recognizing the value that they bring into our lives.”
Another highlight of Friday’s commencement was the naming of the Outstanding Graduates for each campus. Kindra Boyd, who earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Development, was the Outstanding Graduate for the Middletown Campus. A crisis pregnancy led Boyd, who plans to transfer to either James Madison University or Old Dominion University, to the New Eve Maternity Home in Winchester and ultimately Laurel Ridge.
April Strosnider, an academic advisor and coach with Great Expectations, which serves former foster children, nominated Boyd, who hopes to become a school counselor, for the honor.
“As a first-generation college student, single parent, and child who experienced foster care, Kindra has faced long odds of success,” Strosnider said. “Despite the depths of these challenges, Kindra has developed and maintained a strong spirit and desire to build a better life for herself and for her son. I believe that Kindra will be helping the world for many years to come.”
This year, two Outstanding Graduates were named for the Fauquier Campus: Isabella Hardy and Mikayla Roberts. Hardy, who earned an associate degree in General Studies with a concentration in Human Services, hopes to become a social worker. She proved invaluable while interning with Laurel Ridge social worker Tiffany Matthews, who nominated her for the award. Hardy finished her associate degree last fall, and has transferred to James Madison University to get a bachelor’s degree in social work.
“Her contributions to the Single Stop Program made a tangible impact – encouraging 47 students to follow through on accessing critical benefits and playing a key role in securing over $220,727 in confirmed aid,” Matthews said. “This wasn’t just about numbers for her; it was about making sure students had the support they needed to continue their education without unnecessary barriers. Whether assisting students in understanding eligibility for SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or financial aid programs, she approached every interaction with patience, empathy, and a deep sense of responsibility.”
Roberts, who earned a Science degree and is transferring to Christopher Newport University to study chemistry, has an open mind regarding her ultimate career. She was nominated for Outstanding Graduate by her English Professor Lisa Dunick, who also was her advisor in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an international honor society for two-year colleges. Dr. Dunick credits Roberts with rebuilding the PTK chapter on the Fauquier Campus.
“She jumped right in and through her engagement and dedication to her work has managed to revitalize PTK at the Fauquier Campus,” Professor Dunick said. “We have seen a marked increase in acceptance of membership and, more importantly, in participation. Her organization and the way that she interacts with her fellow students make them want to join in and participate.”
Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs and more than 30 fast-track career training programs. To explore them, visit laurelridge.edu/explore.
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Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.
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