BENTONVILLE -- Five years ago, Amy Lyn Saferite couldn't fathom that one day she'd deliver a commencement speech for Northwest Arkansas Community College.
"If you had told me that ... I'd probably laugh," Saferite said to hundreds of graduates gathered Saturday at Arend Arts Center for the college's annual commencement ceremony.
Fast Facts
Several other faculty and students from Northwest Arkansas Community College were recognized at Saturday’s commencement.
Carlee Danielle Hensley and Samuel Joseph Robinson were recognized as distinguished graduates. Mindy K. Walker, who earned an Associates of Applied Sciences degree in criminal justice in 2010, was recognized as the Dick Trammel Outstanding Alumni Award winner.
Instructors Dr. Deirdre Slavik, of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Health and Education and Ellen Tuner, of the Division of Science and Mathematics, were recognized as distinguished faculty.
Source: Staff Report
Saferite not only joined her classmates in obtaining an Associate of Arts degree, but capped a decorated tenure at Northwest Arkansas Community College as one of three students recognized as distinguished graduates.
"Amy was an exemplary student," said Dr. Megan Bolinder, dean of the college's Communications and Arts Division. "She's intellectually curious and a hard worker. She rises to the occasion in every class."
Bolinder and Saferite shared a short embrace as Saferite crossed the stage. Bolinder said Saferite's success story personifies the educational opportunity the college provides.
"Amy exemplifies what (Northwest Arkansas Community College) makes possible," Bolinder said. "She's going to change the landscape of NWA."
Saferite came to Northwest Arkansas in 2011 from Tulsa, Okla. Once settled, she hoped to finish her education, a journey she said was "derailed" in 1990.
But the 40-year-old mother of three had her doubts.
"I had these inner voices that told me 'you don't have what it takes to be a student,'" Saferite said.
Hoping to silence those doubts, she looked to her kids for inspiration.
"I wanted to show my children they could overcome any obstacle," Saferite said.
Once enrolled, Saferite immersed herself in her classes and on-campus activities.
"Coming to (Northwest Arkansas Community College) gave me a sense of purpose," Saferite said, before adding that her frequent presence on campus made other students mistake her for a teacher.
Saferite's tireless efforts didn't go unnoticed.
"(Amy) attended every writing workshop to grow as a writer and encourage others," said Dr. Evelyn Jorgenson, president of Northwest Arkansas Community College. "She's a student who gets to know her professors and the college's resources."
Saferite said she plans to take a year off and "become gainfully employed" before enrolling at Harding University to pursue her master's in literature.
"(Northwest Arkansas Community College) is a wonderful place to learn and the faculty is superb," Saferite said, adding that she was honored to be recognized as a distinguished graduate.
"I plan on taking everything I learned at (the college) to make our community better than it already is."
NW News on 05/15/2016