HERSHEY, Pa. – More than 650 of the 1,170 students eligible to graduate in spring and summer 2025 received their associate degrees, certificates of proficiency or diplomas during the Commencement ceremony for HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, on May 6, 2025.
Patricia Kotrick, who earned a certificate in Liberal Studies at age 83, served as student representative. Kotrick shared with the audience how her life led her to HACC. After graduating from high school in 1959, she worked at The Barnesboro Star, a weekly newspaper, for 27 years. She went on to run her own newspaper, raise a family and relocate to Lancaster.
After her husband Andy passed away in 2014, a friend suggested Kotrick take college classes. She began taking creative writing courses at HACC and has since published a children’s book. “I would like to impress upon you that it is never too late to learn, so go after your dreams,” she said during her speech. “I never let age hold me back from what I sought. Because of my educational journey, I am now a published author of a children’s book. This would never have come true if I had not walked through the front door of HACC’s Lancaster Campus.”
Another exceptional graduate is Paul Arciba, who earned an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology and was named a 2025 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar, an award sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation with additional support provided by Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
During his time at the College, Arciba appreciated HACC’s welcoming and accommodating faculty. “One thing that I don't think people know about HACC is that all the professors are genuinely here to help us students out no matter what the color of our skin is,” he said.
After graduating, Arciba will continue working in electrical prefabrication at Remco, Inc. and hopes to later “send my wife to college so she can start her dream of owning her own business.”
Among the 1,170 students eligible to graduate were also eight high school students who received their HACC diploma, certificate of proficiency or associate degree - before graduating from high school.
John J. “Ski” Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., president and CEO of HACC, congratulated each graduating student on their remarkable achievement. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sygielski said, “As I stand before you today for the final time as HACC’s president, after 14 incredible years of service, my heart is filled with immense pride and deep gratitude. I am profoundly thankful to the Board, my dedicated colleagues, and — most importantly — to each of you, our students. Watching you grow, persevere and rise into the leaders of tomorrow has been one of the greatest honors of my life. You are the soul of this institution, and it has been a privilege to witness your journeys. I leave this role confident and inspired, knowing that you will go on to shape a brighter, more compassionate world. Your potential is limitless, and your future is bright, in large measure because of your HACC education!"
Please visit HACC’s spring 2025 Commencement ceremony webpage to learn more about the Commencement ceremony speakers and view photos of the graduates.
Photo Caption: HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, welcomed the College’s newest alumni during its May 6, 2025, Commencement ceremony.
About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 12,000 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on X (@HACC_info), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.
