Lives Dedicated To Learning Nic’s Graduating Class Of 300 Reflects Student Diversity And Common Goals
Ken Schaeffner went AWOL from the Army a dozen years ago. He’s battled depression, lost touch with his family, learned what it’s like to live in ditches.
“For about nine years we thought thought he was dead,” said his sister, Mary Jeffries.
All that was history Friday, when Schaeffner was among the 300 graduates at North Idaho College’s commencement ceremony.
“For the first time in my life, everything is going according to plan,” the 43-year-old said.
He was headed for a job interview in Spokane, and hoped to put his electronics degree to work starting Monday. “It took so long to get into fourth gear, I figured I better not get out of it.”
Optimism like that was spilling out of Schuler Auditorium on Friday morning.
Except for the rain outside - which reportedly hadn’t fallen on graduation day for 20 years - the ceremony had all of the traditional elements: Dignitaries, diplomas and a great blooper by the college president.
“It’s just with a great deal of pressure - a great deal of pleasure - that I introduce to you my very, very good friend, Senator Mary Lou Reed,” said President Robert Bennett as he and the audience dissolved into laughter.
The Coeur d’Alene legislator was the main speaker.
“The global glass is half-full, not half-empty,” she said, telling the 300 graduates why she was optimistic about the world they were inheriting. The world is largely at peace, Martin Luther King’s dream of racial harmony is alive and most people want to leave a healthy environment to future generations.
Members of the Coeur d’Alene Indian tribe added regional flavor to the event with drumming and singing. Faculty members hammed it up during their own musical tribute to students.
Gov. Phil Batt also spoke briefly, reminding students they’re not finished studying.
“Education is a lifelong event,” he said.
Student body president Kristopher Stein proved the governor’s point with an emotional tribute to his mother, Marlene.
“She dropped out of college when she and my father got married,” he said, explaining that she had returned to NIC six years ago when his brother enrolled. “And she’s graduating with me.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HONOR SURPRISES NIC INSTRUCTOR North Idaho College political science instructor Tony Stewart was surprised Friday with a plaque honoring his 26 years of exemplary service. The award was presented during NIC’s commencement ceremony by board of trustees member Jeanne Givens. The board also established a scholarship in his name. Stewart was the impetus behind the NIC Popcorn Forum and Convocation Series, and the NIC TV Public Forum. He is known for his civil rights activism. Also on Friday, English instructor Chad Klinger received the NIC Foundation’s $1,000 faculty achievement award. Klinger has taught English at NIC for 10 years. He is adviser for “Trestle Creek,” a publication of short stories and poems submitted from across the country. Also receiving $500 awards from the foundation were faculty members Carol Lindsay, David Mann and George Ives; and staff members Mike Wolf, Rhonda Pickles and Glenmar Fullmer.