CLAREMONT, Calif.–Eight-two people have graduated as part of the “Upsilon” class of Western CUNA Management School (WCMS).
The program noted class members graduated after examinations, two projects, three innovation challenges, two live and one virtual session. The graduation was held at Pomona College.
“The Upsilon Class took great pride in recognizing WCMS’s previous 60 alumni classes,” WCMS said. “Graduating students looked to the future of their work in the credit union movement after starting their WCMS journey three years ago.”
59th Session at College
According to WCMS, the commencement ceremony was held in Bridges Hall of Music on the Pomona College campus. This was WCMS’s 50th session held on the Pomona College campus, and the college marked the milestone with various acknowledgments during the session.
The graduating class specially recognized David Ellings, WCMS Director of Campus Activities, who passed unexpectedly prior to the session, and all those who supported their attendance.
Troy Stang — commencement speaker and president/CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association—"encouraged and inspired students to accomplish great things on behalf of their members when they return to their credit unions.
‘Make the Difference’
“This class is going to be the ones who make the difference in our members lives,” said Troy Stang, commencement speaker and president/CEO of GoWest Credit Union Association. “Go out there and do great things.”
Winona Nava, president and CEO of Guadalupe Credit Union in New Mexico, received this year’s James D. Likens WCMS Alumni Recognition Award for significant achievements in the credit union field since graduating from the school. Each year, this prestigious honor is awarded to a WCMS alumnus who has made significant professional growth and strides in a credit union career — as well as leading through significant service to the credit union community — after graduation from WCMS.
WCMS reported Upsilon student graduated with “High Honors,” and 12 students graduated with “Honors.” One student, who earned the highest distinction on each of the tests and projects, graduated from WCMS as a "Highest Honors" graduate, only the 10th student to earn the distinction in the school's history.
Student Honors
Among those honored were:
- Student graduating with “Highest Honors” was Ben Metzger (Colorado)
- Student graduating with “High Honors” was Ronna Idzenga (Oregon).
- Students graduating with “Honors” were Hana Aymar (California); Jared Buttars (Utah); Chantelle Castle (Oregon); Dave Goldman (Wyoming); Gina Jones (New Hampshire); April Libby (Nevada); Cheryl McCarthy (Oregon); John McEwen (Montana); Dave Nellis (Utah); Keith Paul (California); Tammy Reid (California); Laura Smith (Idaho).
Other Honors
Others who were honored included:
- Ben Metzger, vice president of strategy for Canvas CU (Colorado), also received the RickCraig Prize for Excellence in Project II. The award recognizes superb excellence in a student’s second year WCMS project, an endeavor usually taking each student more than 200 hours to complete.
- The Charles M. Clark Memorial Award, which is awarded to the graduating student who best represents high moral character, leadership, credit union dedication, and academic achievement, went to Dave Nellis, manager, human capital management, America First Credit Union, Utah.
Paying It Forward
WCMS said this year’s graduating class continued with the long-standing tradition of paying it forward to future leaders and giving back to WCMS funds it earned in service-learning activities. This year’s graduating class gift of $18,500 represents the total raised over the past three years in Upsilon Class led efforts.
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