Seven years ago, Jonathan “Jack” Ham took his newly earned associate’s degree from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and stepped into the next phase of his life.
Then, on Monday morning (May 18), Dr. Ham — just 24 hours removed from having received his medical degree at the University of Virginia — stepped to the stage of EagleBank Arena in Fairfax to inspire NOVA’s Class of 2026.
“Be proud of where you came from,” he told the new graduates. “There are some very unique things you have done to get to this moment. The unique challenges have taught you the skills you will use for the rest of your life. You’ve become resilient.”
Ham used his NOVA degree as a springboard to attending George Mason University, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in biology in 2021. He then attended medical school at the University of Virginia, with a concentration in internal medicine.
It is not the type of journey every community college student will embark on, but no matter where the road may lead, commencement marks a key step along the way, college president Anne Kress said.
“You kept reaching for that dream, no matter what,” she said. “You kept moving forward. You turned those dreams into reality. You are inspiring.”
It was a theme echoed by Joel Frater, the college’s vice president of student affairs, who said the Class of 2026 represented “amazing individuals who have turned their ambitions into actions.”
The ceremony marked the 60th commencement at the college, which has grown since its founding in the 1960s to become one of the largest institutions of higher education in the nation — one graduate at a time.
“You are role models,” NOVA Board chair John Porter told the new graduates. “You made your education a priority and you devoted the time and effort to seeing it through.”
“The NOVA community is made up of exceptional individuals,” said Isabella Aversano, the student liaison to the board.
Aversano introduced Ham by noting that the arena had at least one physician in the house — but issued a warning to the audience.
“He’s been a doctor for only 24 hours, so y’all stay safe out there,” she joked.
Kress told graduates that while this was their day, there were many who assisted along the way.
“Helping you put one foot in front of the other, day after day, all the way to this stage,” she said. “These folks are as happy and as proud of you as you are of yourself.”
