Area students receive college degrees before high school diploma
Published 9:02 am Monday, May 12, 2014
Lake Michigan College Early College students left to right are: Alexandra Wilson, Jiaxin Teng, and Joseph Franc. Not pictured Hunter Dickinson, Reshawn Preston, Ashlynn Young. (Submitted photo)
Six Lake Michigan College students can say that they are part of the Class of 2014 — at both the high school and college level. By participating in the College’s Early College Academy at the Bertrand Crossing Campus, the students, who also attend Niles, Buchanan and Brandywine high schools, have earned either a one year certificate of achievement or an associate’s degree.
The students were recognized at the 67th annual commencement ceremony held at the LMC Mendel Center on Sunday. They are:
• Hunter Dickinson of Buchanan — Associate in Arts degree
• Joseph Franc of Niles — Certificate of Achievement General Studies
• Reshawn Preston of Niles — Certificate of Achievement General Studies
• Jiaxin (Leah) Teng of Brandywine — Associate in Arts degree
• Alexandra Wilson of Brandywine — Associate in Arts degree
• Ashlynn Young of Niles — Associate in Arts degree
The Early College Academy allows high school students to enroll in college classes, earning credit toward college while also satisfying requirements for high school graduation. Most of the graduates will begin at four-year universities this fall as juniors.
Alexandra Wilson of Brandywine will attend Michigan State University next year. Wilson says, “The program has been tough sometimes, but we now have a great advantage.”
Students Joseph Franc, who will attend the University of Michigan in the fall, and Leah Teng, who will go to Michigan Technological University, agree.
Franc said, “I’ve liked the extra responsibility.”
Teng added that all of the students have saved a lot money by completing one or two years of college coursework before moving on to four-year universities.
Bertrand Crossing Campus Executive Dean Barbara Craig is proud of the program. “This is such a great opportunity for students to get a jump start on college. We love to provide the Early College Academy at Bertrand Crossing to these outstanding students.”
Applications for the Bertrand Crossing Early College Academy can be found at www.lakemichigancollege.edu/earlycollege. Students and parents can also contact the Bertrand Crossing Campus at (269) 695-1391 for further information.
