Long Technical College Hosts Two Graduation Ceremonies for 154 Students on August 11th

PHOENIX, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Long Technical College announced it will hold graduation ceremonies for its Phoenix and East Valley campuses on Friday, August 11, 2006. The ceremonies will recognize 93 students from the Phoenix campus and 61 students from the East Valley campus who have earned an associate's degree, diploma or certificate in entry-level positions that are in high demand throughout the state.

The East Valley campus commencement will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilton East Mesa Hotel at 1011 W. Holmes Avenue in Mesa, Ariz., at the intersection of Alma School and Holmes. Graduate and class valedictorian Lynette Martin, who earned a certificate in General Practice Paralegal, will keynote the ceremony. She is the only member of this summer's graduating class from the East Valley campus to earn a 4.0 GPA.

The Phoenix campus ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the La Sala Ballroom at the Arizona State University -- West Campus at 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Glendale, Ariz., at the intersection of 47th Avenue and Thunderbird Road. Two graduates will keynote Friday's graduation ceremony. Diane Phillips, who earned an Associate of Occupational Studies in Respiratory Therapy, and Katherine Weedman, who earned an Associate of Occupational Studies in Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Assistant, were chosen to speak by their program directors.

"The staff and faculty are proud of all our graduates," said MaryAnn Crone, Executive Director of the Phoenix campus. "We know that our students worked very hard and made many sacrifices to get to this day. We believe they have bright futures ahead of them."

Of the 93 students from the Phoenix campus, nine will represent the first class from the Veterinary Technology program, which the school began offering in March of 2004 to help address the state's growing need for entry-level veterinary technicians. According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security's Report, Arizona Statewide Occupational Projections 2004, veterinary technician positions are expected to increase by 35.37 percent for the period of 2002 to 2012.

The Phoenix campus recently expanded by adding new laboratories for its Respiratory Therapy and Medical Assistant programs. Long Technical College -- Phoenix is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). ACCSCT is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. ACCSCT recently recognized this campus with a School of Distinction award in 2006. Long Technical College -- East Valley is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The East Valley campus and the Phoenix campus offer career-oriented programs in career areas that are in high demand, such as pharmacy technician, respiratory therapy and medical assistant. According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Arizona Statewide Occupational Projections 2004, pharmacy technician positions are expected to grow by 49.51 percent, respiratory therapists by 70.78 percent and medical assistants by 78.47 percent for the period of 2002 to 2012.

The Phoenix campus of Long Technical College -- summer 2006 graduates are as follows:

Associate of Occupational Studies Respiratory Therapy: Kathy M. Bingham, Peoria, AZ Lisa A. De Rosa, Phoenix, AZ Nanette S. Dickerson, Phoenix, AZ Jennifer N. Glover, Phoenix, AZ Lynn M. Gosch, Glendale, AZ Wendy J. Holmquist, Glendale, AZ Cynthia E. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ Francisco G. Leyva, Scottsdale, AZ Morgan L. McGuire, Glendale, AZ Jennifer J. Paynich, Peoria, AZ Diane L. Phillips, Phoenix, AZ Carollee M. Race, Phoenix, AZ Stefanie B. Reeves, Phoenix, AZ Mia L. Sanchez, Phoenix, AZ Tom W. Schartz, Phoenix, AZ Jill R. Schmidt, Phoenix, AZ Rhonda L. Shadduck, Cave Creek, AZ Cindy L. Wright, Phoenix, AZ Dale Wright, Phoenix, AZ Associate of Occupational Studies Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Assistant: Wendy Love, Glendale, AZ Associate of Occupational Studies Veterinary Technology: Russell R. Banning, Phoenix, AZ Ashley M. Beauman, Chandler, AZ Julie Bond, Phoenix, AZ Stephanie L. Conte, Peoria, AZ Talia M. George, Wickenburg, AZ Nathan B. Gosnell, Phoenix, AZ Rachel S. Kinkade, Surprise, AZ Lindsay R. Krutsinger, Scottsdale, AZ Stephanie Vasquez, Phoenix, AZ Diploma Medical Assistant: Mildred M. Adams, Glendale, AZ Jessica Aguirre, El Mirage, AZ Janna Anderson, Cranberry Township, PA Angela M. Balderas, Phoenix, AZ Jamie Beck, Peoria, AZ Amy C. Brouellette, Sun City, AZ Tamera Clark-Martin, Phoenix, AZ Rachel Dykes, Phoenix, AZ Ryan Egelhoff, Peoria, AZ Melissa A. Eriquez, Glendale, AZ Ashley A. Fischer, Phoenix, AZ Chelsea L. Gay, Glendale, AZ Jessica Gutierrez, El Mirage, AZ Cheryl L. Hackey, Phoenix, AZ Kimba S. Heller, Peoria, AZ Sharlyne M. Henning, Phoenix, AZ Molly A. Kleykamp, Glendale, AZ Karen Konnoff, Peoria, AZ Candy J. Malone, Whiteriver, AZ Lucia C. Matamoros, El Mirage, AZ Christina J. McNatt, Goodyear, AZ Jeanene McQuillen, Phoenix, AZ Samuel Meza-Perez, Phoenix, AZ Maria Isabel Olalde, Phoenix, AZ Heather Ransom, Peoria, AZ Stephanie Robinson, Phoenix, AZ Tina Rohra, Glendale, AZ Lauren B. Sanchez, Glendale, AZ Lisa Solis, Surprise, AZ Samantha Stout, Glendale, AZ Mayra R. Tarin, Avondale, AZ Veronica Todd, Phoenix, AZ Regina Wiley, Glendale, AZ LaKeisha V. Wilson, Surprise, AZ Rachel M. Yanez, Phoenix, AZ Chelsea M. Young, Phoenix, AZ Diploma Pharmacy Technician: Brooke Abeles, Phoenix, AZ Jamie Abeles, Phoenix, AZ Karlette Anderson, Glendale, AZ Bobbie-Jo Bojorquez, Phoenix, AZ Riki T. Burnett, Glendale, AZ Monica Castaneda, Phoenix, AZ Rebecca L. Clark, Glendale, AZ Bertil E. Erikson, Glendale, AZ Lindsay N. Foley, Glendale, AZ Robyn Jensen, Glendale, AZ Brady Q. O'Malley, Phoenix, AZ Quinn Pham, Avondale, AZ Angela M. Sauer, Buckeye, AZ Tia Schnepp, Phoenix, AZ Yolanda Yazzie, Phoenix, AZ Diploma Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Assistant: Steven Bison, Glendale, AZ Lisa K. Bruchhauser, Buckeye, AZ Jesus Castaneda, El Mirage, AZ Christopher J. Cummings, Glendale, AZ Krysten E. Donnell, Phoenix, AZ Maria A. Hernandez, Dateland, AZ Shelly N. Jackson, Phoenix, AZ Mark J. Jannett, Glendale, AZ Tisheena Jimmy, Phoenix, AZ Kayla L. Reif, Phoenix, AZ Joseph G. Saylor, Peoria, AZ Katherine Weedman, Glendale, AZ Jeffrey Young, Phoenix, AZ

The East Valley campus of Long Technical College -- summer 2006 graduates are as follows:

Associate of Arts Paralegal Studies: Nathan Tyler Adams, Phoenix, AZ Juanita Allen, Buckeye, AZ Margaret D. Atchley, Glendale, AZ Isaiah R. Bridges, Phoenix, AZ Amelia A. Cerecedes, Phoenix, AZ Tammy Chandler, Flagstaff, AZ George Clark, Tempe, AZ William X. Cook, Charlotte, NC Julia O. Covey, Phoenix, AZ Tammy Dziedzic, Peoria, AZ Alexis Graham, Maricopa, AZ Deborah Grant, Phoenix, AZ Michelle Green, Queen Creek, AZ Annette M. Hyde, Chandler, AZ Jeanne Ittel, Scottsdale, AZ Geniva Rosand, Scottsdale, AZ Hilarie Leverett, Maricopa, AZ Renee Richey, Mesa, AZ Cynthia Myers, Peoria, AZ Laura Toth, Sun City, AZ Laurel Stotts, Phoenix, AZ Charlotte D. Simmons, Phoenix, AZ Kea Jochumsen, Mesa, AZ Diploma Medical Assistant: Danielle L. Bolton, Phoenix, AZ Crystal Borunda, Phoenix, AZ Lourdes Campoy, Guadalupe, AZ Dallas M. Eads, Phoenix, AZ Nicole Cervantez, Phoenix, AZ Nichole J. Flores, Mesa, AZ Gabriel S. Fred, Phoenix, AZ Danielle M. Fry, Scottsdale, AZ Shawn Garcia, Phoenix, AZ Suzanne Gomaz, Phoenix, AZ Brittney M. Gonzalez, Phoenix, AZ Hope R. Harkrider, Chandler, AZ JoAnn Jones, Mesa, AZ Maricela Machuca, Phoenix, AZ Crystal M. Moron, Phoenix, AZ Shelly A. Musser, Tempe, AZ Tyson B. Pete, Phoenix, AZ Kosal Yan, Mesa, AZ Lojann R. Strangeowl, Phoenix, AZ Mayra G. Trevizo, Phoenix, AZ Rebecca L. VanEvera, Mesa, AZ Fabiola Villagrana, Phoenix, AZ Cynthia Thompson, Tempe, AZ Diploma Pharmacy Technician: Mary Beach, Mesa, AZ Jacqueline Breau-Cohoon, Vancouver, WA David M. Behler, Phoenix, AZ Daniel Mattly, Phoenix, AZ Sharilyn B. Fredericks, Queen Creek, AZ Jenevieve S. Smith, Tempe, AZ Erik Overgard, Mesa, AZ Kasey L. Maestas, Phoenix, AZ Certificate General Practice Paralegal: Jessica Astorga, Phoenix, AZ John Heart, Mesa, AZ Terri L. Jamison, Chandler, AZ Deborah E. Larkins, Avondale, AZ Lynette M. Martin, Mesa, AZ Lisa L. Saucedo, Mesa, AZ Julie A. Wanner, Gilbert, AZ Jennifer Y. Marshall, Phoenix, AZ About Kaplan, Inc.

Long Technical College is part of Kaplan, Inc.'s Higher Education Division, which includes more than 75 campus-based schools in 21 states, as well as online programs through Kaplan University and Concord Law School. Kaplan Higher Education offers career-oriented certificate, bachelor and associate degree programs designed to provide students with the skills necessary to qualify them for entry-level employment in fields such as healthcare, business, information technology, technology, fashion and design. Kaplan has been providing educational and career services to students, schools, professionals, and businesses worldwide for nearly 70 years. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company . For more information about Kaplan, please visit http://www.kaplan.com/ .

Press contact: Caitlin Tridle, 312-777-6861