Clinton Community College Announces 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Clinton Community College is proud to announce the valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2025 Commencement Ceremony, which will be held on Friday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Forrence Center on campus.

This year’s valedictorian is Alex Cone, an applied psychology major graduating summa cum laude. Known for her academic drive and passion for learning, Alex has dedicated much of her life to her education. A family-oriented individual, she chose Clinton Community College because it was affordable, close to home, and offered a smooth transition to her next institution of choice—SUNY Binghamton.

Alex will graduate with an associate degree in applied psychology. She credits Clinton for helping her prepare for her future by offering courses that met necessary general education requirements, providing opportunities to participate in cross-country, and fostering both personal and academic success. She was recently awarded the Excellence in Psychology Award for the Spring 2025 semester.

In addition to her academic achievements, Alex served as Student Senate President for the 2024–2025 academic year and was an active member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She plans to continue her education at SUNY Binghamton, where she will study psychology and neuroscience, join student clubs, and pursue both fun and challenging coursework.

The 2025 salutatorian is Hunter Young, a first-generation college student earning his associate degree in humanities and social science. Hunter is graduating summa cum laude with merit and is a proud member of the Honors Program at Clinton. Hunter spent countless hours in the library working on class projects and built a close relationship with the Learning Commons staff, who supported his academic journey every step of the way.

As part of the Honors Program, Hunter had the opportunity to take part in class trips—including one to Albany to meet Assemblyman Billy Jones. These trips sparked curiosity and inspired big-picture thinking, helping to “open windows” in Hunter’s brain. After diving into online reading and research, Hunter developed a strong interest in computer systems and networks. He will transfer to SUNY Plattsburgh in the fall to pursue a degree in computer security.

Clinton Community College is proud of Alex and Hunter for everything they’ve achieved. Their stories are a testament to the transformative power of education and the opportunities that begin at Clinton.