CCC Interim President, Dr. Frederick Woodward, will preside over the commencement exercises. Greetings will be extended to the graduates by Nina D. Coolidge, chair of the CCC Board of Trustees, Jackie Walker, the Clinton County Legislature, and on behalf of the CCC Faculty Council, Susan Goff, associate professor of nursing and allied health. Adam Scharf, Student Senate president, will address his fellow classmates, followed by the Class of 2008 valedictorian and student speaker, Jennifer Nicole Fenton.

Class of 2008 valedictorian Jennifer Nicole Fenton is from Au Sable Forks. She graduates with an associate of arts degree in humanities and social science. The Class of 2008 salutatorian is Berton Arthur Pollack of Plattsburgh. He also graduates with an associate of arts degree in humanities and social science.

Jennifer Waite, interim vice president for academic affairs, will present the 2008 candidates for graduation. President Woodard and CCC Board of Trustees Chair, Nina Coolidge, will confer the degrees. This year’s graduating class has 17 students graduating Cum laude (QPA 3.25-3.49) and 12 students graduating Magna cum laude (QPA 3.5-3.74) and 7 students graduating Summa cum laude (QPA 3.75 or above) and have completed at least half of their credit hours at Clinton. Twenty-seven students are members of the Alpha Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honor Society of the Two-Year College.

This year’s Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching is being presented to Susan Goff, associate professor of nursing and allied health. Goff received her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1966 and a Master of Science Education and School Nursing in 1971. Goff began her Nursing teaching career in 1967 and joined Clinton Community College in 2002. Throughout her working career, Goff has a held education positions at SUNY Plattsburgh, Clinton County Health Department and Champlain Valley Hospital School of Nursing. She has worked at CVPH, at several hospitals and as school nurse in Hudson, Florida. Goff is licensed as an RN, in School Nursing and Health Education, and was recently certified as Bereavement Facilitator. Goff belongs to a number of professional associations and she keeps active in community service organizations.

The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service will be presented to Steven Frederick, dean of development and alumni affairs. Frederick received his bachelor's degree in political science from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1988 and his master's in counseling in 1990. Frederick worked at SUNY Plattsburgh and Clinton as career planning and placement counselor from 1990 to 1994. In 1994, Frederick became co-owner of a financial services business and in 2002 he returned to Clinton Community College. Frederick is an active member of the community. He is currently the incoming president of the Plattsburgh Rotary Club, vice president of JCEO and is active with the Boy Scouts of America, to name a few. Frederick also serves on a number of campus committees, he is active on the board of SUNYCUAD, a professional SUNY organization and is a member of the Alumni Board at SUNY Plattsburgh.

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was awarded to Roxanne Downs of Mooers Forks, New York. Downs graduated in December 2007 as class valedictorian. She is a scholarship recipient and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Alpha Pi Tau Chapter, of the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College. She is employed at the Champlain Telephone Company and takes an active roll in community service. On April 7, 2008, SUNY’s Interim Chancellor John R. Ryan honored Downs, along with students from SUNY colleges around the state, with the 2008 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. These awards are given out annually to students who earn a Grade Point Average of 3.78 or higher and record a significant contribution to their campus or local community. "It is a great honor to receive such a prestigious award," Downs said. "I could not have accomplished this without the help of many people. I want to thank everyone who helped me persevere."

 
Garrand also makes a meaningful contribution to his community as a coach in town youth sports and the junior varsity and varsity athletics at Northeastern Clinton and Chazy High Schools. He is the current administrator-in-charge of the Lake Clear Outdoor Education Project for sixth-graders.

Music for the ceremony will be provided by the CCC College Chorale under the direction of Saundra Stortz, accompanied by pianist Meghan Riley. The Chorale will sing the National Anthem and a selection entitled, "California Dreamin" by Phillips and Phillips. Arr. Emerson.