Dr. Thomas Keegan, a community college graduate and current president of Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Wash., will address graduating students at Tacoma Community College’s 37th annual commencement at 7 p.m., June 13, in the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.
Keegan is a community college success story.
He began his college career at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Wash., where he played soccer and baseball and earned his associate of arts and sciences degree in 1978.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Puget Sound, a master’s degree in education from Western Washington University and a doctorate in education from the University of Washington.
His community college career includes five years as associate dean for student services at Tacoma Community College and earlier assignments at TCC as director of student programs and head soccer coach.
Keegan served as vice president for student services at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Wash., from 1994-98 and as vice president for educational services at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., from 1998-2001.
He was hired as president at Peninsula College in July 2001.
In an address titled “Life After Graduation: Perspectives of a Community College Graduate,” Keegan will speak to more than 1,700 graduates, family members and guests.
Keegan will share his perspective on how his community college experience has influenced his life and his career.
At commencement, the TCC Foundation will present the 2001-02 Faculty Excellence Awards for full and part-time faculty.
Also, the college will award an honorary associate’s degree to Margaret Oldfield, a longtime TCC supporter, volunteer and scholarship donor.
Oldfield believes that scholarship money should stretch as far as possible, and that it can at TCC.
She also places a high priority on education. Herself a graduate of Bellingham Normal School, now Western Washington University, Oldfield has established three TCC scholarships, and because of her support, to date more than 20 students have been able to follow their dreams at TCC.
During the 2001-02 academic year, 634 students earned associate degrees and 16 students earned high school completion certificates at TCC. Of the associate degree total, 400 students were women and 234 were men.
Graduates range in age from 18 to 59.