Graduate counts surge for Southern Nevada colleges
Among a sea of jubilant graduates from the College of Southern Nevada at Monday night’s commencement ceremony, three members of the Schoonover family had extra reason to celebrate.
“We’re late bloomers,” said Ben Schoonover, a retired construction worker who walked the stage in a bright blue cap and gown along with his son, 36, and daughter-in-law, 35.
The trio is among an estimated 3,508 students earning 3,901 degrees from CSN this year — the largest graduation numbers ever tallied by the state’s biggest college. Southern Nevada’s higher education institutions awarded a growing number of degrees this month, prolonging a yearslong surge at all three schools.
UNLV, which held spring commencement ceremonies Saturday, presented about 2,756 degrees and certificates this month — the school’s third consecutive hike for the spring semester and about 8 percent more compared with May 2015. Nevada State College, meanwhile, awarded a record 403 degrees earlier this month.
“We’re thrilled to again see a record number of students earn their degrees and certificates,” CSN President Michael Richards said in a statement. “It shows us that the steps we have taken to guide students toward completion are helping.”
Amanda Schoonover credited CSN’s online course offerings, which “made it doable” for the busy couple to finish schoolwork.
“It’s an inspiration to see my husband go back even though he’s got a full-time job,” she said. “And it’s very cool that my father-in-law saw what it’s like to be (a) full-time (student). It shows you’re never too old.”
Ben Schoonover, 59, enrolled at CSN three years ago in pursuit of two lifelong goals: to earn a postsecondary degree and to get a pilot’s license. Realizing that CSN offered a path to a job in aviation technology, he jumped on the chance after retirement.
His son Thomas Schoonover signed up to complete an associate degree about the same time to advance his career as an electrician. Amanda Schoonover, meanwhile, earned a nursing degree after postponing college to take care of her two children, ages 15 and 11.
“My kids get to see (the family’s graduation),” Thomas Schoonover said. “So there’s an expectation now of what they have to look forward to.”
Contact Ana Ley at aley@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512. Find @la__ley on Twitter
