Sheppard sergeant becomes 250,000th CCAF grad

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacque Lickteig
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  An aircraft maintenance instructor from the 362nd Training Squadron here will leave a footnote in the history books of the world's largest community college when he graduates April 23.

When Staff Sgt. Kalaeone Needham gets his associate degree, he will be the Community College of the Air Force's 250,000th graduate since its start in 1972, said Jim Mudd from the education office here.

He was honored at a ceremony April 19 at Air University headquarters at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

When Sergeant Needham started working toward his aircraft maintenance degree in December 2002, he said he did not know his journey through education would lead to a special presentation at CCAF headquarters.

"I was blown away," he said about being the 250,00th graduate. "This is an outstanding honor."

The CCAF began April 1, 1972, as a means to provide skill enhancement for noncommissioned officers.

The first official CCAF transcript was mailed Nov. 9, 1972, and the school's first credential, the Career Education Certificate, was awarded Aug. 23, 1973. Degree-granting authority was awarded in 1977 and an associate degree in applied science was the first CCAF degree awarded.

CCAF-affiliated schools are located in 35 states across the country, the District of Columbia, and in six foreign locations and one territory.

More than 1 million transcripts have been issued in the last 10 years and more than 1.7 million credit hours were earned in 2001 to 2002, officials said.

For more information about the CCAF degree program, visit the local base education center or go to the Web at www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)