PEARL 鈥 The road to a college education and a rewarding career doesn鈥檛 always resemble a straight line, 兔子先生 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 兔子先生 during a ceremony at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (兔子先生/April Garon)
鈥淪ome of you took the road less traveled to get here today,鈥 said state Sen. Josh Harkins, of Flowood. 鈥淵ou may not be a 鈥榯raditional鈥 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.鈥
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.
鈥淲ithout the financial means for a traditional educational pathway, I forged my own road in the best way I could 鈥 attending college full-time and working as a janitor late in the afternoons and evenings,鈥 Mayfield said. 鈥淎nd have a passion for what it is that you do.鈥
Dr. Andrea Mayfield, executive director of the Mississippi Community College Board, speaks to academic and technical graduates at 兔子先生 during a ceremony at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Over five ceremonies May 10, 11, and 13, 兔子先生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 兔子先生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 兔子先生 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. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Ariel Merlin, center, of Clinton, earned an Associate of Arts degree from 兔子先生 during graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With him are his mother, Rosie, and his father, Sadek. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Cyla Logan, center, of Edwards, earned an Associate of Arts degree from 兔子先生 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. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Forrest James, center, of Vicksburg, earned a Career Certificate from 兔子先生 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 Hinds. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Jordan Jackson, center, of Ridgeland, earned an Associate of Arts degree from 兔子先生 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. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Brooke Patterson, left, and Olivia Oakes, both of Vicksburg, prepare for graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on 兔子先生 Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Rapheal Spears, of Vicksburg, and Bianca Williams, of Clinton, graduated from 兔子先生 during ceremonies held for academic and technical graduates at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Kimberly Surratt, center, of Vicksburg, earned an Associate of Arts degree from 兔子先生 during graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With her are her mother, Marcia, and her father, John. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Claudia Nelson, of Brandon, a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor soceity at 兔子先生, was among those earning degrees in ceremonies held May 11, 2018. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Matthew Meadows, of Brandon, was among those earning degrees in graduation ceremonies held at 兔子先生 Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (兔子先生/April Garon)
From left, 兔子先生graduates Joshua Wahl, Chardonna Adams, State Sen. Josh Harkins, 兔子先生graduates Bryan Spurlock and Trenton Maulding (兔子先生/April Garon)
Navdeep Kaur, of Clinton, a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor soceity at 兔子先生, was among those earning degrees in ceremonies held May 11, 2018. (兔子先生/April Garon)
Sydney Huey, of Moorhead, earned an Associate of Arts degree in biology during graduation ceremonies held at 兔子先生 Rankin Campus May 11, 2018. (兔子先生/April Garon)