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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              Contact:   Anthony Twyman, Public Relations
                                                                                                                                                                    610-325-2816

(Delaware and Chester Counties, PA)—More than 1,400 students, many with significant stories of triumph against the odds, will graduate from Delaware County Community College. 

WHAT: 2012 Commencement

This year’s graduating class has many poignant stories including:

• Kary “Mark” Beard Jr., 42, of Sadsburyville, a Business Administration major, Army Reserve veteran and co-owner of B&B Lawn Care, who completely lost his sight in 1991 after sustaining near-fatal injuries in a car crash,  is graduating with a 4.0 GPA, after spending 40 to 50 hours a week on his studies.
• Shawn Kleinz, 22, of Secane, an Education major and Marine Corps veteran, who reinvented himself at the College and now plans to become a school teacher.
• Bonnie Tyler, 59, of Yeadon, a Business Management major, mother of two, grandmother of five, and great grandmother of three, who reinvented herself at the College after 15 years of work as an administrative assistant. She now plans to go into business for herself as a wedding planner.
• Nichole Philipp, 21, of Media, an Engineering major who won state and national awards and scholarships for her academic excellence and community service, and was featured along with 20 other students from across the nation in USA Today in April.

WHEN: 7 p.m., Thursday, May 17, 2012

WHERE: The Pavilion at Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue

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