Posted on Oct 31, 2007

The University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College/Buckeye Hills Career Center=s School of Respiratory Care recently graduated their first class of students.  The ceremony, held at Buckeye Hills Career Center, honored the thirteen graduates. Invocation was delivered by Micah Lusher.  Sharon Carmichael, Health Careers Administrator at Buckeye Hills Career Center, welcomed those in attendance and introduced guest speakers Dr. Greg Sojka, Interim President of the University of Rio Grande and Dr. Herman Koby, Interim President of Rio Grande Community College.  The students received their Associates Degree from the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College, presented to them by Mark Abell, Director of Academic Planning and Development.  Completion certificates from Buckeye Hills Career Center were presented by Kent Lewis, Superintendent, and Cary Montgomery, President of the Board of Education for the Gallia-Jackson -Vinton JVSD. Special awards were presented to students by Rose Rearley, RRT, RPST, Lead Instructor.  Ron Saunders, Director of Therapy Services, Holzer Medical Center, presented a cash award to Barbie Johnson for the highest academic achievement.  A reception immediately followed the ceremony. The School of Respiratory Care is a two-year advanced Respiratory Care program designed to prepare the graduate to take the National Certification for Respiratory Care Exam and the National Registry Exam for Respiratory Care.  The program was made possible through combined efforts and collaboration between the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College and Buckeye Hills Career Center. For more information on the School of Respiratory Care, contact Vickie Crabtree, Chair of the School of Technology, University of Rio Grande, 740-245-7316 or Sharon Carmichael, Health Careers Administrator, Buckeye Hills Career Center, 740-245-5334, ext. 206.   The graduation class included: Robin Harrison, Lisa Griesheimer, Seth Riley, Micah Lusher, Evan Keslar, Libby Morgan, Kreigh Edwards,Kara Walker, Brandi Keesee, Jessica Schenk, Kelly Alford, Amber Schenk, Barbie Johnson and Rose Rearley, RRT, RPST, Lead Instructor.