WILLISTON, N.D. - After its fourth record breaking enrollment semester (1,168), WSC has an increase in students anticipating graduation (282) and students participating in the ceremony (186), an increase from last year's 101 students. WSC's fifty-sixth commencement ceremony will be May 12, 2017 in the Well at 10:00 a.m.

Graduates from WSC often earn more than one degree. For the 2016-2017 academic year (fall to summer) 484 degrees are anticipated to be awarded for 282 graduates. 264 Associates in Arts or Associates in Science, 65 Certificates, 48 Certificates of Completion.  

"Anticipation means that by the end of their intended term of graduation, these students will complete their necessary requirements," stated Crystal Hotchkiss, Registrar, Research Analyst. "Our numbers are subject to change if students do not meet these requirements."  

Of the 282 students anticipating graduation, 47.5% have received either the Williams or Regional County Scholarships.  

Beginning Fall 2015, WSC offered tuition and fees (up to sixteen credits) to any Williams County High School graduate. Eligible students could apply for the scholarship no matter their year of graduation from a Williams County High School if they were degree seeking, full-time students and maintained a 2.0 GPA.  

Funded through the partnership between the Alva J. Field Trust, the North Dakota Challenge Fund, and WSC's Foundation, 33% of Fall 2015 enrollment (1,009) was from the Williams County Graduate (WCG) Scholarship.  

Fall 2016, the WSC Foundation created the Regional County Scholarship to provide tuition and fees up to sixteen credits to recent graduates and GEDs earned in Burke, Divide, McKenzie, and Mountrail counties. The scholarship was expanded into five counties in eastern Montana (Daniels, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley) for Fall 2017.   

This year's honor students (3.5 or higher GPA) will be recognized with gold tassels. WSC has also incorporated five more recognition groups to this year's commencement.  

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), WSC's honor society, will wear blue and gold cords.    

Active Minds is a national organization dedicated to utilizing the student voice to raise mental health awareness among college students. Active Minds students will wear blue and green cords.   Student Senators, student liaisons to college administration, staff, faculty, and alumni, will wear green and white cords.  

Veterans will be recognized with red, white, and blue cords.  

Teton LEAD students have completed 40 hours of service learning during the academic year and will be recognized in the commencement program.  

Jon Cole, KUMV's Sports Anchor, will deliver the 2017 Commencement Address. WSC's Mikayla Whiteley and Paul Jacobson will be the student speakers. Maren Furuseth, Assistant Professor of Accounting, will be recognized for Tenure and Neil Westergaard, Associate Professor of Math & Science, will be recognized for Faculty Emeritus Status.  

For any information regarding WSC, please visit www.willistonstate.edu,
call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.