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JCC to Hold 62nd Spring Commencement on May 15th
Published: May 14, 2026 at
01:45 p.m.
By: Press Release
from Jefferson Community College
Jefferson to Hold 62nd Spring
Commencement on May 15, 2026
Watertown, N.Y.
- Jefferson Community College (JCC) will hold its 62nd Spring
Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the McVean
Student Center Gymnasium. Jefferson’s Class of 2026 is comprised of 364
students who are December 2025 graduates, May 2026, and August 2026
candidates for graduation, pending satisfactory completion of coursework.
Eight students are receiving two degrees/certificates, bringing the
total number of degrees and certificates to be awarded to 372.*
Jefferson’s Class
of 2026 spans forty years with eight graduates aged 18 and two graduates
aged 58. Twenty-three percent (23%) are military-affiliated, reflecting the
College’s longstanding partnership and strong relationship with the 10th
Mountain Division community at Fort Drum. During the ceremony, they, along
with faculty and staff veterans, will be distinguished by wearing red,
white, and blue cords in recognition of their service to our country.
Eleven students will be recognized for participating in JCC’s optional
Honors Program and approximately 52 students are members of JCC’s Tau Xi
Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year
colleges.
The College is
honored to have distinguished alumnus and Jefferson County Treasurer, Brian
Peck, deliver the keynote address. At the age of 25, Peck founded Coughlin
Printing and successfully grew the business from a single employee to a
staff of 18 before transitioning into public service. His career in
government includes serving as Director of Operations for State Senator
Patty Ritchie, longtime Chief of Staff to State Assemblyman Ken
Blankenbush, and Town Supervisor for the Town of Champion. He is a Second
Lieutenant in the New York National Guard and serves as the Executive
Officer for its 56th Company. Earlier in his career, Peck served as
Associate Dean at Davis College, Binghamton, where he also taught ethics.
He supports community emergency response efforts as a ham radio operator
with the Jefferson County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
Team and volunteers extensively, including serving on the Jefferson
Community College Foundation Board and its finance subcommittee. His
service extends internationally as well. He has taught English as a second
language in China and helped build a school in Bolivia. Peck holds an
associate degree from Jefferson, a bachelor’s in earth science from SUNY
Brockport, and a master’s in counseling from Summit University.
The student
commencement speaker is international athlete Karim Saleh from Cairo,
Egypt. He is graduating with an Associate in Science
(A.S.) Degree in Sports Management. Goalkeeper for the men’s soccer team,
Saleh also serves as president and past treasurer of the Student Government
Association (SGA), resident assistant (RA) in JCC’s student housing, and
student representative on the Athletic Board of Control. In 2025, he was
selected as a student speaker at the college’s logo unveiling, reflecting
his leadership and engagement within the campus community. Saleh received
the 2026 Outstanding SGA Member Award and the 2026 Student Life Outstanding
Graduating Sophomore Award. Beyond academics, he is an Amazon-published
author of the dark fantasy novel Echoes of Power, developed
from skills gained in ENG 101 with Professor Michael Avery. He has sold
more than 20 copies, and this month published his
second book titled Echoes of Power: What Power Takes. He
is an avid comic book collector, including a 42-year-old comic purchased
locally at Salmon Run Mall. His post-graduation
plans are still being explored.
Several students,
faculty and staff will be recognized with academic awards and honors during
the commencement exercises.
Tony Jin of Adams
and Ben Ramer of Watertown will be recognized for receiving State
University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence.
Jin, a dual major, is graduating with his associate degree in mathematics
and natural sciences. Ramer completed his associate degree in sports
management in December 2025 and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree
at SUNY Cortland. The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
acknowledges students who have best demonstrated and been recognized for the
integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, which
may include community service, creative and performing arts, athletics,
entrepreneurship, leadership or career achievement.
Four JCC students
will be recognized for being named to the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
All-New York Academic Team. Honorees are Ben Ramer of Watertown, Daniel Storey of Adams, London L. Streebel
of Fort Drum, and Yen X. Sy of Black River. PTK is the international honor
society for 2-year colleges. To be chosen for the All-New York Academic
Team, students must hold a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 and
have a history of scholarly achievement. In addition to academic
achievement, candidates are also evaluated on their leadership and
community service involvement. Ramer completed his associate degree in
sports management in December 2025. Storey is
graduating with his associate degree in sports management. Streebel is receiving their associate degree in
paralegal studies. Sy anticipates graduating from Jefferson with her
associate degree in natural sciences in December 2026 and an associate
degree in nursing in May 2027.
The Jefferson
Community College Honors Program offers students with exceptional academic
skills the opportunity to receive enriched instruction and nine candidates
for graduation will be recognized for completing this program. Honors
program students select three courses and enhance them as Honors Options by
choosing a project for each and working directly with a faculty member to
provide a unique and rewarding educational experience. Members of the class
of 2026 who will graduate with Honors Program designation are Shyla J.
Graves of Castorland, Tony Jin of Adams, Aeris G. Morgenstern of
Philadelphia, Kiley H. Perkins of Watertown, Kirsten L. Pratt of Watertown,
Avery M. Pritchard of Adams, Isaac M. Reynolds of Adams Center, Madison L.
Shepherd of Adams Center, Daniel Storey of Adams,
London L. Streebel of Fort Drum, and Cady Weaver
of Adams Center.
Five members of
Jefferson’s faculty/staff will be recognized as recipients of the SUNY
Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence. The Chancellor’s Awards recognize
extraordinary achievement and encourage the continuation of excellence.
Dawn Bartlett, Watertown, Associate Professor of Humanities, received the
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. Robert Cooper,
Lowville, Adjunct Instructor of Lab Sciences, received the Chancellor’s
Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. Katie J. Corbin, Chaumont,
Coordinator of Advising, Career and Transfer Services, received the
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Kathy J.
Flanders, Clayton, Assistant Professor of Lab Sciences, received the
Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Cheryl Martin, Watertown, Secretary, received the Chancellor’s
Award for Excellence in Classified Service.
Three candidates
for graduation from SUNY Potsdam, Jefferson Higher Education Center (JHEC)
partner, will be participating in the ceremony and receiving their
bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SUNY Potsdam.
The ceremony will
be video-streamed on the College’s website, www.sunyjefferson.edu beginning
at 6:45 p.m. Immediately following the ceremony, graduates will be led to a
professional photo shoot and reception.
*As of May 13,
2026
- 30 –
About Jefferson
Community College
Established on
November 7, 1961, Jefferson Community College was the area’s first
institution of higher education. Supervised by the State University of New
York (SUNY), Jefferson offers 50+ associate degrees, certificates and microcredentials for career preparation or transfer;
local access to bachelor’s and advanced degrees through partner
institutions; lifelong learning through workshops and seminars; business
and industry training; and provides community-based research and a forum
for the productive discussion of ideas and issues of significance to the
community through the Center for Community Studies. Jefferson is accredited
by the Middle States Association and currently serves approximately 2,500
students, including a significant number of service members and their
families. Please visit www.sunyjefferson.edu/about for
more information.
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