More than 380 students take part in Linn State commencement

Speaker: Work hard

LINN, Mo. - Linn State Technical College held its commencement ceremony May 10 for the 2014 graduating class. More than 380 students participated in the graduation ceremony held at the Linn State Activity Center.

Linn State alumnus Mike Ely, a networking systems technology graduate, gave the keynote address. He encouraged graduates to work hard. Growing up on a farm, Ely learned at a young age the importance of hard work. Ely said that as a firefighter it is very difficult to climb a ladder with his hands in his pockets and that this holds true if you want to climb the ladder of success.

"You will have to pull your hands out of your pockets to climb, and your hands may get dirty in the process," Ely said.

"Do not be afraid to fail," Ely said. "The things that go wrong are also the things that lead to other things going right." Ely suggested the graduates surround themselves with positive people and pick a dream trusting that they will achieve it.

During the commencement ceremonies, Bryce Monroig of Krakow, received the President's Award. Monroig graduated with an associate of applied science degree in machine tool technology. He will apply his technical skills at GH Tool & Mold in Washington, Mo.

Monroig recently placed first in the fourth annual #BOOM pitch entrepreneurial competition. His noise and vibration dampening bow accessory was awarded $5,000 in startup and production funding. Monroig was active on campus, serving in numerous leadership roles. His direction and oversight of Intramural duties for the Student Government Association allowed for 12 different sports to be offered this year. In Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Monroig served as the vice president, playing a major role in completing the Honors in Action Project, an advocacy campaign encouraging students to balance their time between hunting and attending classes. He also actively participated in the College Project which established a campus food pantry for students in need. Both projects received awards at PTK's Regional Convention.