Graduates are pictured at Jamestown Community College.

SUNY Jamestown Community College celebrated nearly 600 students during its 76th annual commencement ceremonies Friday at the Olean YMCA and Saturday morning at the Jamestown Campus Physical Education Complex gymnasium.

Degrees in 32 program areas and certificates in 17 fields of study were awarded to graduates from the summer and fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters. Individuals also were honored for earning Workforce Development credentials in seven areas.

President Daniel DeMarte noted during the ceremonies that graduates came to JCC from 14 states — as far away as Arizona, Nevada and Texas — and seven countries, including Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

“You may have sought athletic opportunities, performed on stage, or simply wanted to make a difference through campus events, volunteering, or joining a club,” DeMarte said in addressing the graduates. “Many of you have also balanced classwork with employment, childcare, transportation, and other challenges.

“And now, you stand on the other side of those obstacles, having achieved the goals you set for yourself. Your journey of overcoming challenges and actively participating in the pursuit of a brighter future — for yourself and for all of us — is what makes today’s commencement truly special. I am genuinely grateful that you chose to be part of the JCC community and to become a proud Jayhawk.”

Mark Ward, chair of JCC’s Board of Trustees, recognized 14 graduates who earned 4.0 grade-point averages. They are Tala Abuhmeidan, Aylah Boutwell, Noah Bowser, Brionna Dumaine, Alexandria Goodyear, Atreyu Laska, Lakin Latone, Felix Manzella, Taryn Palmatier, Brady Phelps, Barbara Sage, Gage Sheckler, Jack Tupper and Dominic Weber.

Alexandra Goodyear was the student commencement speaker for the Cattaraugus County Campus ceremony. The Hinsdale native was president of the Cattaraugus County Campus Phi Theta Kappa honor society, a peer tutor, and volunteer at Olean’s Remote Area Medical clinic last fall and a JCC service trip to Guatemala.

Goodyear achieved a perfect grade-point average while completing the college’s Nursing program, despite a moment of uncertainty.

“How many of us here today considered leaving JCC and turning down a different path?” she asked. “I know there was a time when I did. However, we made a choice to stay, and I can say I am forever grateful to have gotten to see this chapter through. We got to meet life-long friends, gain an education no one can take away from us, and each get the opportunity to start a new chapter, one that I personally am beyond privileged to begin.”

Goodyear plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and aspires to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Miguel Cocerez was the student commencement speaker for the Jamestown Campus ceremony. The Buffalo native said he has been continually inspired by his grandmother, who came to the United States from Puerto Rico and helped raise him.

She often told Cocerez: “Sí, se puede,” which means “Yes, you can.” He heard her voice again when deciding to begin classes at JCC in January 2024 after being away from the classroom for 20 years.

Cocerez took advantage of the college’s online classes to earn a degree in Health Information Technology.

“Even behind the screen, there was a sense of community,” Cocerez said. “Being remote taught me something real: discipline hits different when no one is watching. Just you and the choice to keep logging on. I’m proof, like so many other remote students, that your environment doesn’t define your outcome.”

A member of JCC’s Phi Theta Kappa honor society who maintained a 3.97 grade-point average, Cocerez is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration at Western Governors University. He continues to build on his experience at JCC as he works toward a leadership role focused on improving patient care, strengthening operations and serving his community.

Representatives from the JCC Alumni Association welcomed the new graduates, and receptions hosted by the JCC Faculty and Student Association followed each ceremony.