December 1st, 2020 by WCBC Radio
Allegany College of Maryland will celebrate the accomplishments of 185 fall graduates during its virtual ceremony at 7 p.m. on December 18. The college has selected Jillian Kroon of Berlin, Pennsylvania, and Shana Thomas of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, to provide the student commence address. Their pre-recorded speeches will be shared during the virtual ceremony that will be livestreamed on ACM’s Facebook page @alleganycollegeofmaryland. A Facebook account is not needed to view the event.
Kroon, a medical administrative assistant major within the Allied Health program, graduates with an Associate of Applied Science degree. She earned a Medical Administrative Assistant – Medical Coding & Billing certificate from ACM in August 2020. A nontraditional student who frequently appeared on the Dean’s List, Kroon began her studies at the college’s Somerset Education Site and Bedford County Campus before completing her studies at the Cumberland campus. She performed her practicum hours at UPMC Somerset. Kroon is a cancer survivor and mother who worked full-time as a certified nursing assistant while earning her degree. In her speech, she will discuss the importance of family support and perseverance in the pursuit of one’s education. She will be introduced by Cindy Zumbrun, practicum coordinator for ACM’s Medical Assistant program. Kroon is currently employed as a medical administrative assistant in a pediatrician’s office.
Thomas, a multimedia technology major within the Multimedia Studies program, graduates with an Associate of Applied Science degree. An ACM Foundation scholarship recipient and Pathways for Success (TRiO) program participant, Thomas consistently appeared on the Dean’s List. She will attend Frostburg State University as a transfer student and junior majoring in mass communications while earning a minor in graphic design. Thomas aspires to work as a floor director for television productions after graduation. The daughter of an ACM graduate, she is a performer in local theatrical productions, include the Pennsylvania Maple Festival’s annual production of “The Legend of Magic Water.” Thomas will, in her speech, explore what it means to get uncomfortable in order to challenge yourself to succeed. She will be introduced by James House, Jr., associate professor and chair of ACM’s Computer Technology department.
ACM students with a 3.5 or higher GPA were invited to audition to speak, and Kroon and Thomas were selected by the college’s Commencement Committee.
The college chose to celebrate its fall 2020 graduates with a virtual commencement ceremony in light of in-person commencement ceremonies being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fall graduates will also be invited to participate in the next in-person commencement ceremony.
On the day of commencement, graduates are encouraged to take photos and videos celebrating their graduation and share them on social media using #ACM2020grad. More information about Allegany College of Maryland is available at allegany.edu.
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