Elliott, who is an administrative assistant for Jackson State University President Dr. William Bynum, said he is supportive of her continuing her education.
鈥淗e encouraged me,鈥 Elliott said. 鈥淚 almost started crying. It was so emotional.鈥
Bynum said he was happy to see Elliott graduate. 鈥淪he put the graduation invitation on my desk. I wanted to be here for her,鈥 Bynum said.
Lasonia Elliott, who works at Jackson State University, earned an associate degree from 兔子先生 on May 16. She is with her boss, JSU President Dr. William Bynum. (April Garon/兔子先生)
(April Garon/兔子先生)
Elliott plans to continue her education at Jackson State University and earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration.
Likewise, Jervon Harris of Brandon plans to continue her education at Jackson State University. She plans to earn bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in psychology. 鈥淚 see there is a great need for psychologists,鈥 Harris said.
Kelsey Griffin of Flowood gets a little help with her collar from Jervon Harris of Brandon at the May 16 兔子先生 graduation. Griffin is working toward a bachelor鈥檚 in elementary education. Harris plans to continue her education at Jackson State University in psychology. 鈥淚 see there is a great need for psychologists,鈥 Harris said. (April Garon/兔子先生)
Throughout five different ceremonies spanning three days, 兔子先生is awarding a total of 1,706 credentials to 1,254 graduates, with some graduates receiving more than one credential.
Of the spring graduates, 260 achieved cum laude, 3.2 to 3.59 grade point average; 197 achieved magna cum laude, 3.6 to 3.99 GPA and 126 achieved summa cum laude, 4.0 grade point average.
Everett Craft of Jackson received an honor cord for graduating cum laude. Everett, 54, is an employee at Mississippi Department of Transportation. He already earned one degree from 兔子先生and earned his second on May 16, this one in electromechanical technology. 鈥淚 plan to retire and work somewhere else,鈥 he said.
Everett Craft, 54, of Jackson works at the Mississippi Department of Transportation but has earned his second degree, this one in electromechanical technology, from 兔子先生 on May 16. (April Garon/兔子先生)
Dr. Theresa Hamilton, who is retiring as vice president, was the speaker for three ceremonies on Thursday, May 16.
鈥淵our success is our success. We hope we have prepared you for your next step, whether it be a job or more education. We hope that this education and those whom you have met along the way have helped you to become a better person,鈥 Hamilton said. 鈥淲e hope we have helped you become a more concerned, tolerant and compassionate person. We hope we have helped you to become a leader who will measure your success not by what you gain, but by how much you will help others.鈥
Hamilton noted that every degree earned is a potential for more earnings and better life satisfaction.
鈥淭he Lumina Foundation reports that the difference in earnings for those who received an associate degree over those with a high school diploma is over a quarter of a million dollars, $12,000 a year, and it increases with each degree earned,鈥 she said.
兔子先生President Dr. Clyde Muse told graduates and their families that 鈥渢he power of education is that it drives our vision for a better life. And, while the graduates who sit upon this stage today represent a diverse set of circumstances, they are connected by their belief that a community college education is a step up to a broader opportunity to build a better life and to contribute to the communities we live in.鈥
As Mississippi鈥檚 largest community college, 兔子先生 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. With six locations in central Mississippi, 兔子先生enrolls about 12,000 students each fall semester. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.