Congratulations graduates

The Community College of the Air Force graduation ceremony was held May 18 at The Club. Nearly three dozen servicemembers received their associate’s degrees in subjects ranging from air and space operations technology to restaurant, hotel and fitness management. (U.S. Air Force photo by Corey Dahl)

Community College of the Air Force honors graduates

Published May 24, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Months of balancing work, family and school paid off for dozens of Airmen May 18 as they graduated from the Community College of the Air Force.

At a ceremony held at The Club, 35 servicemembers received their associate's degrees in subjects ranging from air and space operations technology to restaurant, hotel and fitness management. Friends and family cheered the graduates on while high-ranking Air Force officials praised the Airmen for their commitment to education.

Commencement speaker Chief Master Sgt. Linda Matthews, Air Force Space Command's security manager and a CCAF alumnus, said the students' dedication to learning - even while raising families and holding full-time jobs - is one example of the U.S. Air Force's superiority.

"I see in them the reason why we are the best Air Force in the world," she said. "We are the best because our people are the best."

For most of the graduates, the degrees are just a starting point, though. Many said they have already started - or are planning - to take more college courses and earn higher degrees.

"It just seems like today, in the military or in the civilian sector, a degree is really important," said Staff Sgt. Jaclyn Knipp, who was receiving her CCAF degree in criminal justice and is already working toward a bachelor's in Management of Information Systems from Colorado Christian University. "This was just one step toward getting my bachelor's"

Tech. Sgt. Joe Yokum, who was graduating from CCAF with an air and space operations technology degree, said he's also still working on his education, taking classes in business management from Colorado Christian University. But he's already applying the things he has learned to his career in the Air Force, he said.

"As I progress through the senior ranks, all of it - especially the management stuff - is definitely useful," he said.

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