CLAREMONT, Calif.— The Western Credit Union Management School (WCMS) celebrated the graduation of 137 members of its "Psi" Class, marking the completion of the school's 66th annual session following a three-year leadership development program that began in 2024.
The graduates completed an intensive curriculum that included three examinations, two major projects, three WCMS Innovator Challenges, a credit union financial simulation and six weeks of in-person instruction. In addition to earning their WCMS diplomas, graduates also received college credits that may be applied toward undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Commencement speaker Bill Birnie, president and CEO of Frontwave Credit Union and a 2004 WCMS graduate, urged the new alumni to return to their credit unions and invest in developing future leaders. Birnie challenged graduates to apply the leadership, innovation and strategic skills gained through the program to strengthen their organizations and advance the credit union movement.
Class commencement speaker Wes Bell of Idaho Central Credit Union echoed that message, encouraging graduates to remember what can be accomplished collectively through cooperative leadership. Throughout the ceremony, the Psi Class also recognized the school's 63 previous graduating classes, reflecting on WCMS' long history of preparing leaders for the credit union industry.
The annual graduation ceremony was held at Marston Quadrangle on the Pomona College campus and included recognition of the service-learning efforts undertaken by all three WCMS classes participating in this year's session. Organizers said the graduates leave the program equipped to help shape the future of the credit union movement through purposeful leadership and continued innovation.