Commencement
Virtual Commencement 2020
Saturday, June 6, 2020 at 1 p.m.
Congratulations, Lions!
Our graduates have a lot to be proud of and we are going to celebrate!
Graduates are invited, along with friends, family, faculty and staff, to gather online as we collectively recognize the accomplishments and confer the degrees of the class of 2020 through a Virtual Commencement Ceremony.
Commencement Program
“The Star-Spangled Banner”
Rebecca Hoffman, LFCC Student
Welcome and President’s Remarks
Kim Blosser, President
Outstanding Graduate Award – Middletown
Marion Mercer, Professor, Art
Outstanding Graduate Award – Fauquier
Nicole Martin, Assistant Professor, History & Humanities
Introduction of Graduate Speaker
Chris Coutts, Provost, Fauquier Campus
Commencement Address
Shannon Weisbrodt, 2020 Graduating Student
A Message from LFCC Faculty
Conferring of Degrees and Certificates
Kim Blosser, President
Music
Amazing Grace – Jamal Plummer, Former LFCC Student
Oh’ Shenandoah – Russell Rinker, Professional Musician and Actor
Clarke County: 47
Fauquier County: 188
Frederick County: 321
Page County: 85
Rappahannock County: 24
Shenandoah County: 160
Warren County: 146
City of Winchester: 164
Other: 161
Total: 1,296 Graduates
Commencement speaking has become a bit of a family tradition for Shannon Weisbrodt, who is graduating with her associate of applied science in registered nursing today. Her daughter, Morgan Ryan, gave the commencement address in 2018, and is herself a 2020 graduate of Mary Washington University.
Mrs. Weisbrodt, who is married to Bill and has four more children in addition to Morgan, will also earn her associate of science degree from LFCC later this summer. Even while in nursing school, Mrs. Weisbrodt found additional ways to keep busy. She and her daughter Fallon obtained their phlebotomy technician certifications through LFCC Workforce Solutions together in between her two years of nursing school.
After earning that certification, Mrs. Weisbrodt began an externship at the Orange County Free Clinic, and upon completion begged to return as a volunteer. A member of Phi Theta Kappa, she was the recipient of both the William A. Hazel Family Endowed Scholarship and the Monford D. and Lucy L. Custer Endowed Nursing Scholarship.
This fall, Mrs. Weisbrodt plans to begin pursuing her bachelor of science degree in nursing – she has been accepted into three programs. Her love of learning and of nursing, has led her to the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner specializing in mental health working in an under-served community.
She is a native of Fauquier County.
Faculty Marshals
- Frank Borleske, associate professor of mathematics
- Bill Lewis, assistant professor of engineering technology
- Cyril Petras, associate professor of mathematics
- Ramon Selove, associate professor of biology
- Ann Simpson, assistant professor of biology
Student Flag Carrier
- Zoe Fry
Student Marshals
- Audrey Benjamin
- Christopher Bennett
- Asuka Bunthoambunlay
- Ellie Butler
- Kayleigh Corbin
- Kathryn Crim
- Zoe Fry
- Jason Hatch
- Janille Olario
- Trevor Waite
- Trinity Walraven
- Shannon Weisbrodt
Each year, the College Board presents awards to citizens who have contributed in a variety of ways to the mission of the College. College Board Medallions of Recognition are presented to acknowledge the recipients’ leadership, scholarship and service. We encourage you to congratulate these individuals when you see them in your communities.
Susan Brooks
LFCC academic program partner
Navy Federal Credit Union, senior vice president, Winchester operations
Andrea Ludwick
Lord Fairfax Community College retiree
Associate professor of English and speech; 1974 – 2019
Mark Merrill
LFCC academic program partner and education advocate
Valley Health System, president and CEO
The purpose of the Professors Emeriti awards is to honor Lord Fairfax Community College faculty members’ exceptional service and contributions to the College. Honorees must be retired persons of faculty rank with more than 10 years of Virginia Community College System (VCCS) service.
Frost McLaughlin
Retired, Professor of English, 1997-2019
B.A., M.A., Florida State University; D.A. George Mason University
Ernest “Ernie” Grisdale
Retired, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 1988-2019
B.S., Eastern Michigan University; M.S., Georgia Institute of Technology
Download a complete PDF file of the 2020 Commencement Program
2020 Virtual Ceremony Videos
Virtual Commencement FAQs
The Virtual Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 6 at 1 p.m.
Yes. A recording of the ceremony will be available on the LFCC commencement webpage following the event.
The Virtual Commencement will include the same celebratory elements as an in-person commencement: the national anthem, remarks from President Kim Blosser, a student speaker, awards for outstanding graduates, the conferring of degrees and more.
No. For those in the Class of 2020 who wish to participate in the Virtual Commencement ceremony, the college will be providing a mortarboard, tassel, printed program, diploma cover and a letter from the president. They are asked to submit photos of themselves in their caps and tassels so they can be included in the commencement video or other celebratory digital productions the college is creating. Graduates may pose with family members or friends with whom they already share a household. We ask that you do not violate any social distancing guidelines when posing for these photos.
If you would like to purchase a gown to go with the mortarboard and tassel provided by LFCC you may. The LFCC bookstore is currently accepting orders for gowns and other Commencement items.
Previous Announcement
Commencement: With guidance from the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), the Chancellor of the VCCS and the community college presidents across Virginia have made the difficult decision to not hold May commencement ceremonies.
A letter from LFCC’s President, Kimberly P. Blosser:
March 17, 2020
LFCC Students,
As we complete our extended Spring Break, I want to first express my appreciation for your cooperation and willingness to embrace the transition to distance learning we have had to make as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This transition will not be without its challenges, and we ask for your patience. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your professors, your advisors, and other support staff as you have questions or needs. Our operations will continue and we will be with you every step of the way. Your success is our priority, so please let us know how we can help you if you’re having any challenges.
In this unprecedented time, we must make heart-wrenching decisions. With guidance from the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), the Chancellor of the VCCS and the community college presidents across Virginia have made the decision to not hold May commencement ceremonies. This decision does not come lightly, nor does it undercut the significance of your accomplishments. While we know a public celebration of your achievements is an exciting experience, we encourage you to celebrate with your family and record the occasion via pictures or video. We plan to commemorate this year’s graduation exercises from a distance and will be working on ways for our graduates to share how they are celebrating their best selves. More information will be coming on how to participate.
Our student support services departments are working to provide any resources you might need via distance. Please review the services available to you at this link: https://lfcc.edu/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-prevention-response/coronavirus-student-services/
Again, let us know how we can help you during this changing time. Please make sure you are doing everything you can to keep yourself and your families safe and well.
Questions or concerns can be submitted via our LFCC Coronavirus webpage (form is at the bottom): http://lfcc.edu/coronavirus
Take good care,
Kim Blosser
President, LFCC