NPC SETS RECORD NUMBER OF DEGREES 2 YEARS IN ROW

Hot Springs, Arkansas – National Park College (NPC) set record highs for number of graduates and degrees conferred for a second consecutive year. Dr. Chuck Argo, vice president for Academic Affairs presented a graduation report to the NPC Board of Trustees during their regular monthly meeting Wednesday. 

The College conferred 885 degrees and certificates to 543 graduates for the academic year 2024, an increase of 8% over 2023. This is the highest number of credentials conferred in the College’s history. 

Nine new degrees were conferred for the first time including, Associate of Applied Science in Law Enforcement Administration, Associate of Science degrees in Business Administration, Elementary Education K-6, and Language Arts Middle-Level Education, Associate of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Art Education, Communication Studies, and Hospitality- Lodging Management, Associate of Science –STEM in Engineering, and a Certificate of Proficiency in Law Enforcement Administration.

Five Southern Arkansas University (SAU) students participated in the commencement ceremony earning bachelor’s degrees in Biology-Pre-Health, and Computer Science. Apprenticeship students were also recognized during the ceremony, as well as concurrent enrollment students earning college credentials, and adult basic education graduates earning an Arkansas high school diploma. In total, 272 students walked in graduation, a 1% increase over 2023.

Argo reported the ceremony was live streamed to viewers from all over the world. “We are pleased that we can provide a livestream stream option for family and friends who are not able to join us in person. This year there were 137 livestream views from Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom and the USA, most of these are families of student-athletes.”

Twenty-six student-athletes earned credentials this month. Argo noted that 32 student-athletes will soon be awarded National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Academic All-American awards. The NPC softball team will receive All-Academic Team honors. The awards will include 11 First Team All Americans with a 4.0 GPA, 9 Second Team All Americans with a 3.8-3.99 GPA, and 11 Third Team All Americans with a 3.6-3.79 GPA.

NPC Board Chair, Joyce Craft said, “It is such a pleasure to take time to recognize the accomplishments of our students. The achievements of those graduates should not be understated. Each of them walked across the stage because of their determination and their hard work as well as the support of their family and friends. But, we should also recognize that their success represents the cumulative effort and support of the faculty and staff of this campus. As difficult as the profession of education can be sometimes, we must recognize the generational impact that we can have as educators not just on the student receiving the diploma, but also on the lives of those around the graduate. Your work here at NPC is important. Don’t forget that.”

“I continue to be impressed by the quality and dedication of our faculty. This commitment to student success is evidenced by the record number of graduates and credentials this year, but it is our students’ persistence that should be applauded most. Some of them face tremendous obstacles along their journey, which makes celebrating commencement with them an even greater reward,” said NPC president, John Hogan.

Pictured is NPC National Championship Basketball player Ja’Bryant Hill embracing Dr. John Hogan as he crossed the stage to receive his diploma at NPC’s 50^th Commencement Ceremony this month.

National Park College was established in 1973 and is located in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The College enrolls over 7,000 credit and noncredit students per year. NPC is a comprehensive two-year institution offering associate degrees and certificates as well as continuing education, community services and workforce training. 

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