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Daphnie Harrison remembers the night of June 21, 2018 like it was last night. She was dressed in her cap and gown, taking part in Cicero-North Syracuse High School's graduation ceremony inside OCC's SRC Arena. As she listened to her class Valedictorian and Salutatorian give their speeches, she paused a moment to daydream. "I thought it would be so cool to be the person speaking and representing the students. But I never thought I could do it. When I was at C-NS I didn't give myself as much credit as I should have."

Lanessa Owens-Chaplin, '03 always had big dreams but never knew if she could overcome significant life challenges to make any of them come true. By age 17 she was living on her own while attending Henninger High School. After receiving her diploma she decided to come to OCC and major in Humanities.

2020 has been a year to forget for many, but it's been quite the opposite for Caleb White. In May he completed work toward his Communication Studies degree while being named the top student in the program. Later this year he will become a father for the first time. "I had attended a community college and tried an online university before but never finished. I wanted to complete a program with the hope it would open up more opportunities for me. As a soon-to-be father, I also wanted to set an example of someone who perseveres and completes what he starts."

Onondaga Community College will host the Syracuse Police Department's Training Academies through at least the year 2025. Campus facilities will be used to both train future officers and host other police training courses. Designated OCC classrooms, offices, and athletic facilities will be available to the Syracuse Police Department at no cost. OCC has a similar agreement with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department.

Onondaga Community College will celebrate the Class of 2020 with a Drive Through Commencement Diploma Festival Sunday, August 9 at 2pm. From the moment students arrive on campus they will be part of a celebration in their honor.

Onondaga Community College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa continues to be recognized for excellence.

• Degree Program: Electronic Media Communications
• High School: West Genesee, class of 2015

After graduating high school Lane decided to go to work before choosing a career. "I was interested in photography and video. I called up a camera place and asked how much lessons would cost. When they told me $60 an hour I thought for $60 an hour I could go to college."

Onondaga Community College Trustee Emeritus Donald Mawhinney Jr. passed away this week at the age of 94. His role in the creation and growth of OCC can not be overstated. Mawhinney was a member of the College's Board of Trustees for over 55 years and was the longest serving trustee in the United States and Canada. The building known as "Mawhinney Hall" on the west side of campus was named after him in 2006.