FORT DRUM, N.Y. (June 12, 2018) -- More than 250 Fort Drum Soldiers, veterans, family members and civilians recently earned academic certificates and degrees, and their achievements were celebrated June 8 during the annual Graduation Recognition Ceremony on post.
Mary Anne Vaughn, lead counselor at the Fort Drum Army Education Center, said that one of the qualities that all of the graduates share is determination.
“You were determined to fit your family obligations into your crazy schedules, and you may have wondered to yourself, ‘What am I doing?’ You were determined to show your children and your Soldiers that going to college is obtainable, even in the military,” she said. “This perseverance, mental toughness, determination, grit – whatever you want to call it – has brought you to this unforgettable moment in your life.”
Spc. Jakeiry Canady enlisted in October 2015 as an automated logistical specialist and, within months of arriving to her aviation unit at Fort Drum, she was determined to continue her education right away. Canady enrolled at Jefferson Community College to pursue two degrees, and has received her associate’s degree in business administration. She is close to earning an associate’s degree in accounting.
Canady credited her faith, her husband and her chain of command for supporting her academic goals.
“Without my leadership, I wouldn’t be here today and I wouldn’t have graduated within a year and a half,” she said. “They kept me motivated and made sure I had everything I needed, to do what I needed to do.”
Col. Kenneth D. Harrison, Fort Drum garrison commander, served as keynote speaker at the ceremony and congratulated all the graduates on their success.
“You represent a group of 257 graduates, recognized by local colleges and universities, who earned diplomas – the ones that you hold in your hands today – while maintaining military careers, training, deploying, raising and caring for families and dealing with complexities of life that inexplicably multiply like rabbits once we leave our parents’ homes,” he said.
He made special note of one graduate in particular from his command team – Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan Alfaro, Fort Drum garrison senior enlisted adviser, who earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and graduated summa cum laude.
“(He) never missed a step in executing his full-time duties as a senior leader here at Fort Drum, but he still managed to find time late at night and on weekends to earn A after A after A in his coursework,” Harrison said. “I understand the sacrifices you have all made to get here … you have my sincere admiration for your extraordinary achievements in earning your diplomas.”
Harrison said that it wasn’t until years after graduating from college when he realized the extent that his education had served him.
“Your education will empower you,” he said. “Your powers of reason and judgment might surprise you when you first hear those scholarly words come out of your mouth, then you will realize that they came out of your mouth, your head and your heart.”
Harrison also encouraged the graduates not to let this be their final pursuit at higher education.
“My advice to you is to continue your education,” he said. “Keep researching, keep writing, and keep engaging in intellectually challenging discussions with other educated people, and don’t stop growing and learning.”