CCC Holds Fifth Winter Commencement
COLUMBUS, Neb. – Central Community College held its fifth all-college winter commencement ceremony on Dec. 12. A record 398 candidates were eligible to graduate and 88 took part in the ceremony. Collectively, 450 degrees and diplomas were awarded.
The keynote address was delivered by Traci Skalberg, executive director of the CCC Foundation. She began her remarks by saying that her academic experience with CCC began during her senior year at Columbus High School when she took a dual-credit course. At the time, Skalberg said she dreamed of earning a degree in Spanish at a private liberal arts college. She also said in order to make that dream affordable, she would have to earn as many credits as possible at CCC. Skalberg said she looked at CCC as a waiting room, something to get through, but she discovered much more.
“It turned out to be an incredibly rich and formative experience,” said Skalberg. “Most importantly for an 18-year-old who thought she had it all figured out, I found myself sitting next to nontraditional students whose life experiences added depth I didn’t yet have. That time at Central set the tone for the rest of my educational journey and my life.”
Skalberg went on to graduate from Doane University and while there, she met Barry, the man she married and with whom she raised three children. She said her life appeared to have all the makings of “happily ever after,” but then he was diagnosed with cancer.
“Overnight, in addition to being wife, mom and chief family organizer, I had to learn a whole new collection of job titles, none of which I felt prepared for,” Skalberg said. “I was part nurse, part CNA, part over-the-road truck driver, part insurance advocate, full-time medical navigator and full-time family warrior.”
In the summer of 2021, Skalberg’s husband died and she had to take on even more responsibilities and challenges. She recalled her father’s favorite ‘80s mantra, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” However, Skalberg said she didn’t want to be tough. At the same time, she knew there were two simple choices, wallow or try to live fully.
“My kids and I walked this painful road together, each in our own way,” said Skalberg. “There were seasons of depression, fear, apathy, sickness, setbacks and zig-zag paths that should have been straight.”
Skalberg said she had to learn how to hope again. She was able to press forward because of persistence, something the graduates she addressed know all about.
“Whatever it took for you to get here today, whatever obstacles, responsibilities, fears or detours, you persisted,” said Skalberg. “You proved that you have what it takes, not just to survive but to thrive.”
Skalberg closed with this advice: “Set goals, write them down. Make choices that move you forward. Love unapologetically. Live courageously. Do not wait in the waiting room of your life. Live with tenacity, grit and grace, and remember grit without gratitude becomes bitter. Gratitude keeps us human. Gratitude keeps us whole.”
Spectrum, the select choir at the Columbus Campus, performed the national anthem and one other selection. CCC President Dr. Matt Gotschall presented each graduate with their award.