​​​​​​​ 

Student graduations are held in December and June each year.  Students who have fully completed their program of studies anytime during the semester are eligible to graduate.  Graduates are awarded a "Certificate of Attainment", bearing the seal of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). 

 

Students may graduate in one of two statuses:​


  • Goals Fully Met: Full mastery of competencies (80%) are documented in the Vocational Skills Record and verified, as relevant through industry-recognized credentials and/or licensure. 
  • Goals Partially Met: Partial mastery of competencies (15%-79%), with a measurable skill gain, are documented in the Vocational Skills Record and verified, as relevant through industry-recognized credentials and/or licensure. 

 

A Staff to Student Awards Committee solicits nominations and meets prior to each graduation to review and process, in accordance with their written charter.  All nominations must be submitted to the Chairperson no later than two weeks prior to a scheduled graduation.  Each nomination must be complete and clear of content to be considered an independent nomination.  A recipient need not be chosen for each graduation; rather awards are based on merit according to the relevant criteria as described below.  There must be a unanimous vote by the entire Committee to merit the Frank O. Birdsall Award.   Each nomination is considered confidential.  The Awards Committee will make decisions at least one week prior to the graduation ceremony.

 

Graduates may be eligible for one or more of the following awards as indicated below:

 

  • Frank O. Birdsall Award Criteria

Recognized since 1964 as the highest award presented on behalf of the WWRC staff and organization to any medical rehabilitation client and/or vocational school student who meets criteria of all other awards given as follows:

EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO OTHERS, as indicated in the criteria for the Mary E. Switzer Award

EXEMPLARY PERSONAL GROWTH, as indicated in the criteria for the President Woodrow Wilson Award, AND

OUTSTANDING VOCATIONAL and/or ACADEMIC CLASSROOM ACHIEVEMENT for a vocational school student, or EXTRAORDINARY DETERMINATION, RESOLVE and PERSEVERANCE in a medical rehabilitation program for a client receiving medical services, as indicated in the criteria for the R.N. Anderson Award.

The Frank O. Birdsall Award requires a minimum of four (4) independent staff or outside professional or business nominations on behalf of the recipient.  Each nomination must clearly and fully detail the rationale for this award. 

 

  • Mary E. Switzer Award Criteria

 Presented since 1999 to medical rehabilitation clients and/or vocational school students who during their rehabilitation program have demonstrated the following:

    Above average character, peer leadership, and consistent adherence to WWRC behavioral expectations as defined in the client handbook while enrolled in program

Recognition documenting behavior above and beyond expectation providing EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO OTHERS in at least two areas (e.g., WWRC staff or peers, DRS, WWRC Foundation, WWRC Council of Organizations, WWRC Alumni Association, WWRC Student Council, and/or in the local Augusta County area community.

The Mary E. Switzer Award requires a minimum of three (3) independent staff or outside professional or business nominations on behalf of the recipient. Each nomination must clearly and fully detail the rationale for this award.

 

  • President Woodrow Wilson Award Criteria

Presented since 1999 to medical rehabilitation clients and/or vocational school students who during their rehabilitation program have demonstrated the following:

 

Recognition documenting EXEMPLARY PERSONAL GROWTH as a result of their rehabilitation program (e.g., exceptional effort, initiative, or tenacity in reaching rehabilitation goals, significantly improved self-esteem, self-confidence, self-control, etc.).

 

The President Woodrow Wilson Award requires at least two (2) independent WWRC staff nominations on behalf of the recipient.

 

  • R.N. Anderson Award Criteria

 Presented since 1999 to vocational school students ONLY who are graduating from a specific Vocational Training Services program that have demonstrated:

 

Recognition documenting OUTSTANDING VOCATIONAL and/or ACADEMIC CLASSROOM ACHIEVEMENT.

 

The R.N. Anderson Award requires one (1) staff nomination (e.g., typically the vocational or academic instructor).

 

Graduation Preparation Procedures

 

Careful and thoughtful preparation for each graduation begins immediately following the one preceding.  "Behind-the-scenes" preparation involves logistical and programmatic considerations and is outlined in detail on the Graduation Checklist.

*Each student will graduate at their scheduled graduation date unless it is due to extenuating circumstances (such as a death in the family, or major medical situation, etc).

While this does not encompass all situations each individual case can be reviewed by the Rehabilitation Team including Counselor and Vocational Training Administration.


Graduation Day

 

Graduations are held at 10:00 a.m. on the designated day, in the Auditorium.  A full "walk through" rehearsal is held two (2) hours prior to the graduations.  After the rehearsal, graduates are fitted with a cap and gown.