ASPIRE GRADS -- Graduates of the ASPIRE program, at Eastern Gateway Community College were recognized June 14 during a ceremony at the Steubenville campus. == Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — This year’s graduates of the ASPIRE program at Eastern Gateway Community College are being recognized on both of the school’s campuses.

Graduates from the southern counties received their recognition on June 14 in the lecture halls of the Arthur J. D’Anniballe Education Center. James D. Miller, EGCC’s vice president of administration, was the keynote speaker for the event. Gary Cates, senior vice chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education, also shared remarks. A reception followed the ceremony in EGCC’s Founder’s Hall.

Participating in the commencement ceremony in Steubenville were: Andre Bailey, Jennifer Bane, Holly Carpenter, Anthony Gump, Marlon Hale, James Hague, Jennifer Hannan, Paige Hess, Levi Hilbert, Denise Hill, Dana Inherst, Aaron Kibler, Raymond Leon, Brandon Lude, Achili Minch, Michael Nguyen, John O’Neil, Coty Richmond, Brittany Smurthwaite, Brock Snively, Robert Standish, Darren Stottsberry, Haile Turvey, James Vallen, Raoul Van Der Pool, Kevin Waller, Ryan Wilson, Brandon Woodring and Aeryk Zink.

EGCC’s ASPIRE team is under the leadership of Karla Martin, executive director, and Jeremy Miller, assistant director. The program had 109 graduates for the academic year.

Graduates in the northern counties will participate in commencement exercises at the Mahoning County Career and Technical College at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Ohio’s ASPIRE programs provide free services for individuals who need assistance acquiring the skills to be successful in post-secondary education, training, and employment. Local programs offer classes at flexible locations, different days and times to meet the needs of students. In addition to the high school equivalency prep classes, ASPIRE offers services in developmental education, English for speakers of other languages, citizenship classes in Mahoning County, distance education, bridge classes for post- secondary education, correctional facility education and is a community partner at Ohio Means Jobs centers in the counties of Jefferson, Harrison, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana and Mahoning.

The EGCC ASPIRE program has consistently ranked in the top tier of programs in Ohio. The school remains committed to strengthening the educational and workplace opportunities for its students, officals explained.