Home / News / 2015 Graduation Becomes a Sister Act June 10, 2015 2015 Graduation Becomes a Sister Act By B&SC News Team CHESTERFIELD, VA, June 10, 2015 – The Richmond campus of Bryant & Stratton College will conduct its annual graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 27th at 11am at the city’s Greater Richmond Convention Center located at 403 North 3rd Street. Among this year’s 186 new graduates are two pairs of sisters who have all benefitted from the always encouraged “buddy-system” style of education. Andrea Acuna will graduate with a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice alongside her sister Elda Acuna who will graduate with an associate’s in Medical Administrative Assistant. Andrea will be the first in her family to earn a college degree, while her sister Elda will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a 3.85 GPA. Another pair of sisters who will share their academic successes are Mary Cooke, who will earn her bachelor’s in Health Services Administration and her younger sister Joyce Bolling, who will graduate with an associate’s in Medical Administrative Assistant. Mary is a Summa Cum Laude honoree with a 3.8 GPA, while Joyce plans to follow her sister Mary’s footsteps by continuing her studies at the College in the bachelor’s of Health Services Administration program as well. “Over the years, we have had a number of students who’ve enrolled and graduated alongside their relatives”, says campus director Beth Murphy, “We’ve found that family members who enroll together often support each other, from orientation through graduation, creating a stronger support system and commitment for degree completion”. The College will confer 29 bachelor’s and 157 associate’s degrees. This year’s commencement speaker, Charise Beckett, primary partner of Affinity Resources HR Consulting firm and a BSC-Richmond 2007 alumna, will deliver the ceremonial address to the new 2015 graduates and their families. Beckett is a Chesterfield resident, wife and mother of four. AAS Medical Administrative Assistant 2015 graduate Danielle Johnson has been selected as this year’s Campus Honoree to deliver special words of inspiration to her fellow graduates. Johnson is Petersburg resident and will be graduating as a Summa Cum Laude honoree (3.8 GPA). *** About Bryant & Stratton College: Founded in 1854, Bryant & Stratton College has built its reputation and success on a commitment to excellence and high standards. Bryant & Stratton College is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) www.msche.org. Bryant & Stratton College has campus locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and a Professional Skills Center. For over 170 years, Bryant & Stratton College has offered students access to career-relevant education leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and professional certificates in the fields of business, criminal justice, design, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, human resources, paralegal studies and information technology. General information can be found on the college’s website at http://www.bryantstratton.edu.