COD celebrates 19th annual GED commencement
Celebrating the achievements of 61 students this year, College of DuPage's Adult Basic Education/General Education Development office honored recipients of GED certificates at a ceremony held May 14.
The College, which became a DuPage County GED testing site in 1997, offers a range of services to help adults earn a GED certificate. These resources that have helped thousands of adults complete their high school education.
COD President Robert L. Breuder encouraged graduates to take their educational aspirations even further.
“I know many of you have faced great challenges. You should be proud of your achievements,” he said. “Just remember, you own whatever you accomplish in terms of education. No one can take it from you. I hope that this is only the beginning for all of you.”
COD Board Chairman David Carlin also expressed his congratulations..
“More than 15 million individuals have earned their GED since the program's inception in 1942. We are extremely proud of your accomplishment,” he said. “Your tenacity has moved you to this point. Education increases the opportunities you'll have in your lifetime and I hope all of you use this as a stepping stone as you continue your educational journey.”
GED graduate Anisa Catugy is the daughter of missionary parents. In 2010,, the 34-year-old decided it was time to enroll in GED classes.
“My parents are independent missionaries and didn't believe education was necessary,” she said. “I decided to renew my education and looked into GED classes at COD. I was ready to take the test in two months and I'm happy to say I recently started classes at the College.”
A high school dropout, GED graduate Michael Hughes battled drug and alcohol addiction for most of his life and eventually became homeless. With help through DuPage PADS, he was able to earn his GED and is now studying Travel and Tourism at the College.
“I've learned to continue despite doubt,” he said of his experiences. “By asking for help, I got all that I needed and in another year, I'll have an associate's degree.”
Dyan Stotts of Wood Dale dropped out of high school after her sophomore year. Following an abusive relationship and a series of dead end jobs, Stotts finally mustered the courage to pursue her GED.
“With newfound courage and a truckload of fear, I enrolled,” she said. “My daughter tutored me in algebra to help me prepare. I passed and I just finished my first semester at COD, taking nine credits in Medical Assisting and earning a 4.0 GPA.”
More than one million people take the GED test annually in the United States and Canada and, of those, about 75 percent move on to a post-secondary education.
For more information on the College's GED program, call (630) 942-2562, or visit www.cod.edu/Academic/ABE_GED/GED.htm.