Lone Star College-Montgomery class of 2019 graduation ceremony Thursday, May 9

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Congratulations to the Lone Star College-Montgomery Class of 2019 who will be recognized for their achievements at the commencement ceremony Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m., at The Woodlands Church-Fellowship Campus.

Lone Star College-Montgomery is awarding more than 1,500 associate degrees or certificates this year, and approximately 420 students are expected to attend the commencement ceremony.

Twenty-four students will be graduating with various distinctions from the Honors College. Lone Star College is one of the few community colleges in the nation to offer an honors associate degree program.

Graduates at the ceremony will hear from Johnny Carrabba, Houston’s Founder of Carrabba's Italian Grill® and Nikki Lounder, a class of 2019 graduate.

Carrabba’s family-run Italian restaurants have deep roots in Houston. The original Carrabba's opened in 1988, and today the Carrabba family owns and operates the two founding Carrabba's Italian Grill® along with Mia's Table and Grace's restaurants. Through their success, the Carrabba family has maintained philanthropic generosity to our local community through many venues and charities, especially those benefiting children.

Lounder is majoring in cellular and molecular biology. She plans to pursue a pre-medical degree and transfer to Texas Tech University in the fall. As a first-generation college student, her future seemed out of reach. “Once I got started with Lone Star College, I was able to visualize that dream,” said Lounder. “After I truly got involved with Lone Star College, I was able to turn my dreams into plans and actions.” Lounder participated in the Student Success Institute and contributed over one hundred hours at Conroe Regional Medical Center. Attending the Student Success Institute, Dr. Monica Gonzales serves as Lounder’s mentor, “Nikki, does what I ask so many of my students to do, which is ask questions because that is how you learn. She understands the importance of seeking help and asks for guidance when she needs it. This skill will serve her well when she attends Texas Tech this fall to pursue and soon will obtain her pre-medical degree.” Lounder is very excited to address the audience at graduation.” I want my peers to know that they truly can do anything they dream; all they need to do is ask for help and stay persistent!” Dr. Rebecca Riley, Lone Star College-Montgomery president, will preside over the ceremony. The Woodlands Church-Fellowship Campus is located at One Fellowship Drive in The Woodlands, approximately one mile west of the Lone Star College-Montgomery campus. For more information about the commencement ceremony, please visit www.LoneStar.edu/graduation-Montgomery

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of six colleges, 10 centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu