Marion Technical College will be holding its 37th annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 13, 2009, 10:00am at the Palace Theatre.

Approximately 200 students will be graduating from Marion Technical College, representing a variety of degrees and programs.

“Marion Technical College is a great place for our graduates to get the skills that they need for the jobs that they want. We are proud of the fact that 94% of our graduates choose to stay in our community. It’s great that students from this area have the Marion Campus as a resource to receive their education and then use those skills close to home,” Dr. Bryson remarks.

The keynote speaker for the commencement will be Tim Hilborn, Highland Local Schools Superintendent.

The student speaker, Weston A. Bell is a member of the Marion Technical College graduating class of 2009 and will be receiving a degree in Associate of Applied Science (AAS).

Tim Hilborn, Superintendent at Highland Local Schools, received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Findlay and his master’s in Educational Administration from Ashland University. He has been Highland’s Superintendent for five years and was a middle school science teacher and then principal for 22 years prior.

Hilborn has served on several community and professional organizations including the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) Legislative Committee, and Past President of North Central BASA, along with serving as a Board Member for the Morrow County Chapter of the American Red Cross and an Administrative Counsel member of the Harmony United Methodist Church.

Hilborn has been instrumental in programs such as the state-funded Senior to Sophomore program which piloted in 2008-2009 with 12 Highland Seniors taking enough Marion Technical College classes to give them sophomore status when they enter the state university of their choice.  He has also been an advocate of encouraging Highland students to take advantage of college courses while still in high school. His hope is to inspire, lead and direct the instructional and support services of Highland Local Schools with the goal that each student achieves success at the next level of their lives.

Weston Bell  is receiving an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree with a Telecommunications Major from Marion Technical College.

Bell, who is a resident of Mount Gilead, Oh, is currently employed at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course as an Official Operations Team Member. His duties include improvements to the overall appearance of the grounds, assisting with track preparation, responding to visitors request and overall customer service.