17吃瓜网 students celebrate their graduation.

(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA)鈥擮n a day emphasizing the importance of never giving up on the desire for a college degree and using education to follow one鈥檚 flame, more than 1,200 students graduated from Delaware County Community College with associate degrees and/or certificates. On Thursday, May 15, the College held two separate Commencement ceremonies at West Chester University鈥檚 Hollinger Field House.

The morning ceremony was for graduates of the Business, Computing & Social Science and Workforce & Economic Development divisions, and the afternoon ceremony for graduates of the Allied Health and Nursing, Communications, Arts & Humanities and STEM divisions. Presiding over Thursday鈥檚 ceremonies were 17吃瓜网 President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin and Dr. David Grossman, chair of the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees.

鈥淎t 17吃瓜网, support is everywhere.鈥� said Saroor Dhanju of Chester Springs, the student Commencement speaker, a graduate of Downingtown STEM Academy High School. 鈥淚 have never felt so seen and understood, with such a deep sense of belonging. I found confidence, care and community in all corners of the College.鈥�

Dhanju, who majored in Social Work, was president of 17吃瓜网鈥檚 Student Government Association and a Flame Ambassador, serving as a peer mentor for enrolled students. She plans to pursue her bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees and become a licensed social worker. 鈥淎t 17吃瓜网 I rekindled my spark, followed my flame, and have had incredible opportunities to help light the way for others.鈥�

17吃瓜网 President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin congratulates a graduate.
Student speaker Saroor Dhanju of Chester Springs.

Alum Elisa Ford 鈥�12 of Yeadon, a SEPTA executive, mother of eight and the assistant coach of the 17吃瓜网 Phantoms Track and Field team, was the alumni Commencement speaker. Under her tutelage and that of head coach Cara Fordenbacher, six 17吃瓜网 Phantoms track and field athletes qualified for and excelled at the NJCAA Div. III National Track & Field Championships, May 8-10 in Utica, NY.

鈥淏e unstoppable! 17吃瓜网 has equipped you with the tools to be whatever you want to be,鈥� Ford said. 鈥淒o not allow past challenges to stop you from reaching your goal. Run through the obstacles, jump over the hurdles, catapult yourself into whatever you want to do.鈥�

Ford holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree, magna cum laude, in Biblical Studies from Lancaster Bible College and a master鈥檚 degree in Nonprofit Organization Management from that institution. In August 2025, she will begin pursuing a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies at Queens College of Theology. Ford is the 2024-2025 recipient of the Wong Moss Outstanding Alumni Award, one of the most prestigious honors the 17吃瓜网 Educational Foundation bestows.

Alumni speaker Elisa Ford 鈥�12 of Yeadon.聽

The most represented majors in 17吃瓜网鈥檚 Class of 2025 were Business Administration, Nursing, General Studies, Liberal Arts and Computer Science.

Graduate Daniel Joseph Hall-Walker of Yeadon performed the National Anthem.