The Pikes Peak Community College 2009 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. in the Auditorium at the New Life Church, 11025 Voyager Parkway, just west of the PPCC Rampart Range Campus. The doors will open to the public at 1:00 p.m., and participating graduates should plan to arrive no later than 12:30 p.m.

While final numbers are not yet in, more than 1600 students will be graduating this year. The keynote speaker at the ceremony will be Colette Berge, interim vice president for Student Services. Sean Dean, Student Government president, will give the student response. This high-energy family celebration is always fun, noisy and emotional, filled with tears and laughter, cheers and applause, and tremendous excitement.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the Monument Hill Brass Quintet and the PPCC Select Singers. The processional will be played by Charlene Nolan on piano and Teresa Miller on saxaphone, and the National Anthem will be sung by Gayle Grace, Music faculty. Special student awards will be given for Student Leadership, Service to the College, and Inspirational Achievement.

About the speaker:

Colette Berge has been a champion of students for almost thirty years, eight at North Dakota State University, and 21 at Pikes Peak Community College. Berge began her career at PPCC in 1988 as Director of Student Life, and successively added myriad responsibilities over the years. Although Berge officially “retired” in 2007, she returned as Interim Vice President for Student Services. Tony Kinkel, PPCC president, says “Berge is the College’s moral compass. She always focuses on what’s best for students, and reminds us of our total commitment and obligation to students every day.”

During her tenure, Berge has personally mentored hundreds of students, and fostered leadership skills in generations of Student Government delegates. She has been a role model, advocate, leader, surrogate parent, and guide to countless students, many of whom have gone on to become community leaders in their own right. She created a dynamic and enriching learning environment by bringing art, music, literary and cultural events to the College, as well as safety, health awareness, diversity and anti-discrimination programs. One of her greatest accomplishments was assisting students in passing a landmark bond issue which enabled the College to build Child Development Centers at Centennial and Rampart Range Campuses, a tremendous benefit to thousands of students who might otherwise not have been able to go to college.

Berge is known internationally for her active participation in the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), having held numerous leadership roles including President and member of the Board of Trustees. Her numerous awards include the State Student Advisory Council Advocate of the Year (2008), ACUI’s prestigious Butts-Whiting Award for exemplary service (2007), and the 2009 Athena Award from the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Her benchmark philosophy is one of community building and inclusiveness, resulting in rejuvenated and strongly supported partnerships throughout the College. Of her years in higher education, Berge said, “I’ve never been bored one day in my life. It’s always interesting, challenging, fun, and rewarding.” She adds, “What greater career is there than to grow young people into responsible citizens?”

Berge earned her BS from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and her MS from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Outside of school, she can usually be found on the ski slopes in winter, hiking trails in summer, and laughing with family and friends.