PEARL – ̨ʹٷվ Community College graduated 611 students during the summer semester at its six locations.
Among 319 participating in two ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus was Tierra Williams, of Jackson, who earned an Associate in Arts degree from the college.
In all, 391 credentials were conferred to the 611 who graduated from the college.
Jasmine Coleman lost her mother several years ago and has dedicated each step in her education to her memory.
“It was sudden to have lost her, just before my high school graduation,” Coleman said. “So, I’ve dedicated both my high school and college graduations to her.”
Coleman, 22, of Jackson, earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education, a field she’s eager to enter spread her caring sense and motherly instincts.
“I have a son, Morgan, who is two, so he’s in that dedication as well,” Coleman said.
Yolanda Houston, the college’s district director of Teacher Education, based on the Utica Campus, is a close confidant to Coleman and a family friend.
“I taught her in grade school,” Houston said. “I’ve watched her mature and be strong through adversity and still be able to graduate.”
Of the total graduating, 197 did so with honors. That includes 85 who earned the cum laude designation, which is a 3.2 to 3.59 grade point average. Another 47 graduated magna cum laude, or a 3.6 to 3.99 grade point average, and 65 graduated summa cum laude, or a 4.0 grade point average. The total field of honor graduates equaled about one-third of the summer graduating class.
Crystal Mays had waited a long time to celebrate a graduation in her family, which made her sister’s commencement from ̨ʹٷվ Community College all the sweeter.
“I’ve waited a long time for this,” Mays said amidst tears as she watched her sister, Eronda Graham-Daniels, walk across the stage after earning her Associate in Arts degree. “This is why I talk so much about finishing school.”
Peggy Hobson Calhoun, who represents District 3 on the ̨ʹٷվ County Board of Supervisors, spoke to graduates at both ceremonies. Calhoun implored graduates not to give up when adversity strikes when they enter the workforce.
“You may think your vision of becoming successful is too difficult to realize, but it can become real,” Calhoun said. “I don’t know what your aspirations and pursuits are, but don’t blind your vision. Hold on to your visions and your dreams. Your vision defines what it is you want to accomplish out of life.”
Shelby Blakenship, center-right, of Brandon, earned an Associate in Applied Science from ̨ʹٷվ Community College during summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. She completed the Transition to RN program and plans a healthcare career. With her are her brother, Bryce; her mother, Maria; her father, Kirk; and ̨ʹٷվ President Dr. Clyde Muse. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
̨ʹٷվ President Dr. Clyde Muse, left, and Shelby Blankenship
Tirzah Burt, center, of Brandon, earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Practical Nursing from ̨ʹٷվ Community College during summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. From left are Hannah Burt, Lizzy Burt, Rachel Williams and Sarah Hartman, all her sisters, and Ella Kate Elmore, her cousin. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
Andrea Felder, center, of Jackson, earned an Associate in Applied Science degree from ̨ʹٷվ Community College after having completed the Associate Degree Nursing program. With her during summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus are husband Karick, son Avery, and son Everette. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
Javeon Green, of Brandon, left, and Deloris Greer, bookstore manager at ̨ʹٷվ Community College Utica Campus, pose before summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on ̨ʹٷվ Community College Rankin Campus. Green earned a Technical Certificate in Automotive Technology. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
Jasmine Coleman, right, of Jackson, earned an Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education during summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With her is District Director of Teacher Education Yolanda Houston, left.
Crystal Mays, of Louisville, sheds tears as she watches her sister, Eronda Graham-Daniels, graduate from ̨ʹٷվ Community College during summer graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
Tierra Williams, of Jackson, was among more than 600 students who earned credentials during the summer semester at ̨ʹٷվ Community College. Williams earned an Associate in Arts degree during graduation ceremonies July 27. With her is friend Tamara Sullivan. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
Matthew Jiles, center-left, earned an Associate in Arts degee from ̨ʹٷվ Community College during summer graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. He plans to study aerospace technology. With him are Joseph Jiles, his father, Esther Jiles, his mother, and Joseph Jiles Jr., his brother. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
Ignatius Fluker, right, earned a Technical Certificate and a Career Certificate from ̨ʹٷվ Community College in Diesel Equipment Technology during summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With him is his grandmother, Christine Fluker. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
Sha’quitia Williams, center, of Vicksburg, earned a Career Certificate in business from ̨ʹٷվ Community College during summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With her, from left, are friends Kimmer Williams, Chasity Jefferson, Kontonia Smith, and Janeshia Jefferson. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
From left, Advancement Specialist Bethani England and Jackie Granberry, executive director of the ̨ʹٷվ Community College Foundation, who was the mace bearer for summer graduation ceremonies July 27.,
Erin Rawson, left, of Brandon, and Kimberly Prater, of Yazoo City, await summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at ̨ʹٷվ Community College. Both earned Associate in Applied Science degrees after completing the Transition to RN program. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)
Christopher Hunsinger, right, of Clinton, earned an Associate in Arts degree from ̨ʹٷվ Community College during summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. With him is his girlfriend, Shantenicka Henry. (̨ʹٷվ Community College/April Garon)