Two dozen graduated at Wednesday evening’s ceremony for students from the Kachemak Bay Campus of Kenai Peninsula College where Shannon Reid was named valedictorian. A highlight of the ceremony was the Keynote Speaker, retiring Professor of English and Communications, Elizabeth Graber. KPC Director, Carol Swartz, read a comment about Graber from one of her students.
“Beth Graber was the most influential teacher I’ve had since middle school. Not only did she teach me correct formats, different styles in writing but she allowed me to grow and write what was flowing through me. I would have to say what amazed me most was her compassion for me. I was going through a ridiculous amount of stress and she listened to me, helped me and I felt I could tell her anything. She didn’t judge or give up on me. She pushed me to finish this course. Beth truly cares about her students and has a fire passion for what she does,” said Swartz.
Swartz said Graber’s work, for more than 25 years, was an inspiration to students and to her colleagues. In her speech, Graber gave the graduates her recipe for happiness.
“Be kind, be kind, be generous, be grateful and be brave. Sometimes, maybe a lot of time, that’s easier said than, done, but the happiest people I know are kind. They are generous. They are grateful. They give back and they don’t take life’s gifts and opportunities for granted. And they’re brave enough to take risks and to go after their dreams even when it’s scary or daunting. We really do have a choice to live this way, every single day,” said Graber.
Samuel Gingerich, UAA Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor was there in person to honor Graber, along with her husband, Mike Hawfield, who is an Associate Professor of History and Political Science at KPC.
Gingerich bestowed the title of Professor Emeritus upon the two at the ceremony. Both Graber and Hawfield are retiring this year.
