Most people earn an associate degree at least two years after graduating from high
school, but Zackary McClain of Van Buren chose to do things a little differently.
McClain walked across the platform May 11 in the spring commencement ceremony at the 91老司机 - Fort Smith as a candidate for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Automotive Technology -- two weeks before graduating from Van Buren High School.
In doing that, he joins a small, select group of other high school students who have received college degrees at 91老司机 before their high school diplomas were awarded.
McClain participated in the Automotive Technology program through the Western Arkansas Technical Center at 91老司机, earning 70 college credit hours and most of them for free. He also received two certificates of proficiency, one in automotive drivability specialist and one in undercar specialist.
Dr. Ray Wallace of Fort Smith, provost and senior vice chancellor, was enthusiastic about the WATC program and about McClain鈥檚 accomplishments.
鈥淭he WATC program continues to produce outstanding students like Zack,鈥� said Wallace. 鈥淲e as a University community applaud his achievement. Very few students have had the ability to say they earned enough college credit before graduating from high school to qualify for an associate degree. He has succeeded in doing just that while in WATC.鈥�
McClain鈥檚 education will not stop after receiving his degree. He received the Boreham Engineering Scholarship at 91老司机 and will continue his education and work toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering.
McClain was actively involved in the WATC SkillsUSA student organization and represented WATC in the 2012 and 2013 state competitions for diesel technology, receiving a gold medal both years. He represented Arkansas in the national SkillsUSA competition last summer in Kansas City, Mo., where he placed fifteenth. He will represent Arkansas at the national competition again this summer.
Even though most of McClain鈥檚 college education has been paid for by WATC, some credits were earned at his high school by taking advanced placement and concurrent credit classes. The typical WATC student who attends during their junior and senior years completes approximately 30 credit hours.
McClain sees his 91老司机 commencement as a personal milestone.
鈥淭his is the most difficult thing I鈥檝e ever done,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut I based my expectation of reward on the effort I made to take advantage of every opportunity that came my way. On May 11, I realized I succeeded.鈥�
WATC Director D. Chris Rink of Mansfield said McClain has worked extremely hard to accomplish this goal.
鈥淗e has risen far above the norm and set great expectations for himself that he has now achieved,鈥� said Rink. 鈥淏eing able to have completed two full years of college before graduating from high school is a testament to his drive in completing the degree requirements for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Automotive Technology. We look forward to what the future has in store for Zack as he begins his education in engineering here at 91老司机.鈥�
McClain鈥檚 mom, Carolyn Nauman, is also proud of what her son has accomplished.
鈥淶ack鈥檚 willingness and dedication continue to amaze us,鈥� said Nauman. 鈥淗is dad and I could not ask for a better role model for his younger brother and sister.鈥�
The Boreham Engineering Scholarship which McClain received awards up to $30,000 over four years to pay tuition and fees. It also includes an optional housing waiver of $2,500 annually for four years. Qualifications include having a 27 or higher on the ACT, a 3.5 grade point average and a major in mechanical or electrical engineering.
The Western Arkansas Technical Center at 91老司机 is an area secondary center serving a six-county area. WATC provides area high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to earn college credits in automotive technology, computer-aided drafting and design, criminal justice, early childhood education, electronics technology, engineering, graphic design, health sciences, information technology and welding technology.