PEARL – The road to a college education and a rewarding career doesn’t always resemble a straight line, graduates were told just before receiving their hard-earned credentials.
Not giving up in the face of adversity is key, speakers said in ceremonies Friday.
State Sen. Josh Harkins, of Flowood, speaks to academic and technical graduates at during a ceremony at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (/April Garon)
“Some of you took the road less traveled to get here today,” said state Sen. Josh Harkins, of Flowood. “You may not be a ‘traditional’ college graduate, but you made the commitment to improve your life and the life of your family. That takes a level of commitment and determination not possessed by many.”
Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director of the Mississippi Community College Board, asked graduates to persist in their studies and pursue careers for which they are most passionate.
“Without the financial means for a traditional educational pathway, I forged my own road in the best way I could – attending college full-time and working as a janitor late in the afternoons and evenings,” Mayfield said. “And have a passion for what it is that you do.”
Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director of the Mississippi Community College Board, speaks to academic and technical graduates at during a ceremony at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (/April Garon)
Over five ceremonies May 10, 11, and 13, awarded 1,839 degrees and certificates to 1,319 people, with some people receiving multiple credentials in academic, career or technical programs. This is the largest number of credentials has ever awarded for one graduation season.
Over the academic year including summer 2017 and fall 2017 ceremonies, the college will have awarded more than 3,900 credentials, a 12 percent increase over last year and an 85 percent increase over five years ago.
Of the 1,319 spring graduates, 265 achieved cum laude, 3.2 to 3.59 grade point average; 204 achieved magna cum laude, 3.6 to 3.99 GPA and 137 achieved summa cum laude, 4.0 grade point average. Nearly 900 are expected to participate in one of the five ceremonies.
Tom Joyner, a nationally syndicated radio and television show host, spoke to graduates at the Utica Campus during a ceremony Sunday.
Anna Hill, center, of Terry, earned an Associate of Arts in Elementary Education from during graduation ceremonies held May 11 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With her are her father, Dennis Hill, and her mother, Deborah Hill. (/April Garon)
Ariel Merlin, center, of Clinton, earned an Associate of Arts degree from during graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With him are his mother, Rosie, and his father, Sadek. (/April Garon)
Cyla Logan, center, of Edwards, earned an Associate of Arts degree from during graduation ceremonies held May 11, 2018 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With her are her mother, Patricia Logan, left, and her father, Clay Logan Sr. (/April Garon)
Forrest James, center, of Vicksburg, earned a Career Certificate from after also completing his High School Equivalency at the college through the MIBEST program. With him are his mother, LaVonne James, left, and Dr. Robin Parker, district director of Integrated Pathways at . (/April Garon)
Jordan Jackson, center, of Ridgeland, earned an Associate of Arts degree from during graduation ceremonies held May 11 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With him are Patricia H. Jones, his grandmother, and Lisa Compton, his mother. (/April Garon)
Brooke Patterson, left, and Olivia Oakes, both of Vicksburg, prepare for graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (/April Garon)
Rapheal Spears, of Vicksburg, and Bianca Williams, of Clinton, graduated from during ceremonies held for academic and technical graduates at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (/April Garon)
Kimberly Surratt, center, of Vicksburg, earned an Associate of Arts degree from during graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With her are her mother, Marcia, and her father, John. (/April Garon)
Claudia Nelson, of Brandon, a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor soceity at , was among those earning degrees in ceremonies held May 11, 2018. (/April Garon)
Matthew Meadows, of Brandon, was among those earning degrees in graduation ceremonies held at Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (/April Garon)
From left, graduates Joshua Wahl, Chardonna Adams, State Sen. Josh Harkins, graduates Bryan Spurlock and Trenton Maulding (/April Garon)
Navdeep Kaur, of Clinton, a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor soceity at , was among those earning degrees in ceremonies held May 11, 2018. (/April Garon)
Sydney Huey, of Moorhead, earned an Associate of Arts degree in biology during graduation ceremonies held at Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (/April Garon)