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RAYMOND—Candie Walton, 42, of Yazoo City, accomplished a lifelong goal today as she crossed the stage at the Fall 2023 graduation ceremonies for ����԰ in the Clyde Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. Walton is graduating with an Associate Degree in Nursing.

“I started college years ago, then life happened, and I had to quit,” Walton said. She worked 10 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at St. Dominic, where she met Dr. Wesley Prater, OBGYN.

“He is a wonderful doctor. He really inspired me and encouraged me,” Walton said. “My family and my friends, too, they all encouraged me to take that leap. But Dr. Prater taught me so many things about healthcare for babies and for women, and taking care of critical patients. The more I learned, the more I wanted to learn.” Walton plans on returning to St. Dominic and working in women’s health. Walton wasn’t the only non-traditional student that had a happy ending to their come-back story. 

Tina Gunn, 48, of Canton, said she started college back in 1993 after high school graduation, but said she had a lot of life’s obstacles thrown at her, “in the way that life happens. But I can’t say how much it means to me to finish what I started.” 

Walton earned her Associate Degree in Office Systems Technology. She plans on being an advocate for mental health.

����԰ President Dr. Stephen Vacik’s spoke at the ceremony and advised graduates to be steadfast in their work.

“Too many people today jump around from job to job and relationship to relationship rather than putting in the required effort and waiting on the outcomes,” Vacik said. “Here’s the thing, life is messy, in case you don’t already know that. If you don’t stick with it during the times when running away or quitting would be easier, then you will miss out on all the good things and the many blessings.”

This Fall ����԰ awarded 879 degrees and certificates to 577 ����԰ graduates, which means many graduates are earning more than one community college credential.  

Among our graduates, 217 students graduated with honors. One hundred and twenty three are graduating Cum Laude having maintained a 3.2 – 3.59 GPA. There are 74 students graduating Magna Cum Laude having maintained a 3.6 – 3.99 GPA. And there were 20 who graduated Summa Cum Laude having earned a 4.0 GPA. 

����԰ provided a live web cast of today’s ceremonies on their website for those who were unable to join in person.   

With six campuses in central Mississippi, ����԰ is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills.

About ����԰

Our Mission: ����԰ is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession. 

Our Vision: ����԰ will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi. 

Our Values: ����԰ aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship. 

To learn more, visit or call 1.800.����԰CC.

Media Inquiries Contact

Rhonda Dunaway
(601) 857-3343
rhonda.dunaway@hindscc.edu