Forty-five receive diplomas during commencement Published May 11, 2011 By Staff Sgt. James Bolinger 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Forty-five Vance Air Force Base members were recognized for graduating college during a commencement ceremony at the Base Auditorium May 5. Col. Russ Mack, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, presented diplomas for the Community College of the Air Force, Wayland Baptist University, Ashford University Online and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for degrees ranging from associates to masters. The event included the awarding of a scholarship to Senior Airman Kanita Pruitt, 71st Force Support Squadron, who received the $400 Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger scholarship, sponsored by the Air Force Association. The scholarship is awarded to a CCAF graduate who is pursuing a four-year degree. Airman Pruitt's goal is to complete a bachelor in criminal justice in a year and a half, she said. She started her final two years earlier this year and is spending her $400 on school books. Pursuit of CCAF degrees and undergraduate or graduate degrees demonstrates professionalism at one's job, said Capt. Michael Akin, Aerospace Operational Physiology Flight commander, who was the guest speaker at the commencement. The Air Force needs dedicated and educated enlisted, officers and civilians to lead its 21st century force. CCAF graduates: Senior Airman Daniel Ackeret - 71st Communications Squadron Staff Sgt. Sorie Bangura - 71st Operations Support Squadron Staff Sgt. Ruby Barrington - 71st Operations Support Squadron Master Sgt. Robert Caithaml - 71st Flying Training Wing Staff Sgt. Jonathan Giam - 71st Operations Support Squadron Master Sgt. Robert Knoke - 5th Flying Training Squadron Staff Sgt. Ryan Lynn - 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron Senior Airman Cameron Mackey - 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron Staff Sgt. Robert Pupilis - 71st Operations Support Squadron Master Sgt. Ronald Samsel - 71st Security Forces Squadron Senior Airman Thomas Adkinson - 71st Force Support Squadron Staff Sgt. Laura Ashline - 71st Medical Operations Squadron Master Sgt. Jeremy Belair - 71st Operations Support Squadron Senior Airman Benjamin Ekbald - 71st Flying Training Wing Tech. Sgt. Aaron Estrada - 71st Communications Squadron Staff Sgt. Nina Gardner - 71st Operations Support Squadron Tech. Sgt. Yorshia Houseal - 71st Flying Training Wing Staff Sgt. Shawna Houston - 71st Medical Support Squadron Staff Sgt. Samantha McCuratin - 71st Operations Support Squadron Staff Sgt. Matthew Mackenzie - 71st Security Forces Squadron Staff Sgt. Jose Melendez-Alvarez - 71st Medical Operations Squadron Senior Airman Katina Pruitt - 71st Force Support Squadron Staff Sgt. Dennis Sierens - 71st Security Forces Squadron Tech. Sgt. Leonard White - 71st Medical Operations Squadron Tech. Sgt. Christopher Stanley - 71st Force Support Squadron Wayland Baptist graduate: Tech. Sgt. Tiesha Benson - 71st Medical Operations Squadron Ashford graduate: Savannah Lohn, 71st Flying Training Wing Embry-Riddle graduates: Capt. Gerardo Caballero - 71st Operations Support Squadron Maj. Matthew Cummins - 5th Flying Training Squadron Capt. Kevin Fleming - 8th Flying Training Squadron Capt. Stephen Freedman - 71st Operations Support Squadron Navy Lt. Kevin Friel - 33rd Flying Training Squadron Capt. Stephen Gant - 71st Operations Support Squadron Marine Corps Lt. Col. Sean Godley - 8th Flying Training Squadron Maj. Daniel Heil - 32nd Flying Training Squadron Capt. Eric Kut - 71st Operations Group Capt. Christopher Marriot - 33rd Flying Training Squadron Capt. Samuel McAnally - 71st Mission Support Group Maj. Christopher McIntyre - 33rd Flying Training Squadron Capt. Stephen Miracle - 8th Flying Training Squadron Navy Lt. Brian Murray - 33rd Flying Training Squadron Capt. Carl Pitts - 32nd Flying Training Squadron Capt. Joseph Schmitt - 71st Operations Support Squadron Capt. Roger Tinnin - 8th Flying Training Squadron Capt. Daniel Yerrington - 33rd Flying Training Squadron