Jefferson Community College’s 60th Commencement Ceremony on May 17

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – Karen L. Belcher, a 1992 graduate, will deliver the keynote address for Jefferson Community College’s 60th Commencement Ceremony for December 2023, May 2024 and August 2024 candidates for graduation on, May 17, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Belcher is Executive Director of the Food Bank of Central New York. She first joined the Food Bank of CNY in 2001 as controller, becoming the director of finance/CFO five years later, and was subsequently appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2014 and Executive Director in 2020. The agency has grown, during her 23-year tenure, from 27 employees and 3 major programs to 75 employees and 8 major programs, helping to combat food insecurity in 11 counties, including Jefferson County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Bank of CNY and the College’s food pantry partnered to hold a Nourish NY drive-up food distribution event on campus, serving over 1,000 families.

Belcher is also a licensed New York State Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants. She serves on the Board of Directors for Feeding New York State and is treasurer of the Finance Committee, treasurer of the North East Region of Food Banks, and a member of the Human Services Leadership Council of CNY, where she currently serves as Co-Chair of the Advocacy Committee.

In 2023, Belcher was appointed by Governor Hochul to serve on MICRON’s Community Engagement Committee for Central New York and has served on the board for the past 12 months. For her work, she was honored with the 2016 Transformational Leader Award from the Central New York Business Journal and was a finalist for the 2012 Financial Executive of the Year Award from the Business Journal News Network.

In addition to an associate degree in accounting from JCC, Belcher holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in higher education from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

The student commencement speaker will be Mason L.M. Archer from Carthage. Archer is graduating with an associate in arts (A.A.) degree in humanities and social sciences. He has a 4.0 grade point average and received President’s List honors. Additionally, he is named the 2024 Outstanding Liberal Arts Student. After graduating from JCC, he plans to transfer to SUNY Potsdam in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in teaching.

The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. in the McVean Student Center Gymnasium and will be streamed on the College’s website starting at 6:45 p.m. Approximately 344 students are eligible to graduate from JCC upon successful completion of degree requirements. candidates for graduation from Jefferson Higher Education Center partner SUNY Potsdam will take part in JCC’s ceremony and will receive diplomas from SUNY Potsdam.

Tickets are required to enter the McVean Student Center Gymnasium. Overflow seating for those without a ticket is available in Sturtz Theater, McVean Student Center. Parking is available on lot D and gymnasium doors open at 6:30 p.m.

A reception for graduates and guests will be held in the Jules Center Commons, building 6, immediately following the ceremony. Additional information is available by calling 315-786-2234.

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