Two graduates share the lessons they’ll carry beyond commencement
Rebecca Yager and Jawain Swint each spoke of challenges they overcame while addressing their peers at Delta’s 65th commencement ceremonies.
Rebecca Yager spent six years chasing a dream that, statistically, she wasn’t likely to achieve. Rebecca entered foster care at the age of 14, and according to Fostering Success Michigan, as few as 3% of youth with foster care experience earn a college degree.
Rebecca admits, her first semester ended with less than impressive grades. That changed after being connected with the right resources and encouraged by the right mentors. She persevered through her challenges and graduated with honors to earn her associate’s degree in manufacturing industrial technology and a certificate in computer aided design (CAD).
Since enrolling at Delta, she began working at Fullerton Tool where she is a full-time engineer. She is also the head coach for White Pine Middle School’s robotics team and now supports Delta’s STEM outreach by introducing Carrollton High School seniors to the world of CAD.
“We all have two things in common. We made the decision to start, and we made the hard choice to put in the work, so we could join together and walk across this stage,” said Rebecca Yager.
Jawain Swint began his first semester at Delta after graduating from Arthur Hill in 2005. But after learning he would soon be a father, he dropped out, resulting in several failed classes. Seeking stability for his young family, Jawain enlisted in the US Army at the age of 21. He served for four years, including one deployment to Afghanistan. From there, he earned his master mechanic certification from a university in Kansas before he and his family returned to Saginaw in 2015. He continued working as a mechanic for the City of Saginaw until old military injuries prompted another career change.
Over the course of nine years, he excelled in his new sales career, all the while being a strong role model for his four boys. Until one day he realized he was emphasizing the importance of earning a college degree, while he did not have one himself. Nearly 20 years later, he re-enrolled in Delta College and has since earned his associate’s degree in information technology support. He plans to transfer to Saginaw Valley State University to earn his bachelor’s degree in tandem with his oldest son, who is currently enrolled at a Florida university.
“Today is not proof that we never struggled. It is proof that we did not quit. Class of 2026, wherever life takes you next, carry that resilience with you,” said Jawain Swint.
