GONZALES — Equipped with associate degrees for transfer and credentials for workforce in high-skilled areas like process technology, welding and drafting, the 269 members of the River Parishes Community College class of 2016 recently graduated    .

Telling an audience of more than 1,700 family members and friends that Louisiana leads the nation in the number of adults with technical certification in job skills, Chancellor Dale Doty, said, “The reason many of our graduates tonight took longer than two-years to complete their degree is that they hold jobs, have families and are contributing to their community.”

Doty said the student body at RPCC contains all ages, all backgrounds and all educational levels.

“It is not too late for any of you in the audience to come take a class at RPCC,” Doty said.

As proof of his statement, children cheered their mothers and fathers who stepped on stage to accept their diploma, and classmates applauded as the procession of graduates old, young, and in between made its way to the stage; some starting careers, others advancing their careers, and some changing careers completely.

Sporting a photograph of her children mounted on her mortarboard with the statement “I’m doing this for them!” student body president Danyelle Parrish took only a short evening’s break to accept her degree in biology.

She’s currently enrolled in RPCC’s Licensed Practical Nurse program, which is still underway.

“I decided to continue with the positive changes in my life and the life of my family,” Parrish said. “I don’t care how hard and long I have to work, I will finish my training and take this big step into our future.”

River Parishes Community College focuses on building the workforce of today and tomorrow through specific skill training and providing transferrable courses and curricula leading to certification and associate degrees.

RPCC works closely with its communities to provide programs for personal, professional and academic growth.