RAYMOND – Former chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court James W. Smith, a «Ӱҵ alumnus, spoke to graduates at four ceremonies Friday, May 15 about achieving success in life.
«Ӱҵ has a record number of graduation ceremonies this spring with eight scheduled over three days and nearly 1,200 receiving credentials. Those graduates will receive more than 1,500 certificates and degrees since some graduates will receive more than one credential.
As Mississippi’s largest community college, «Ӱҵ is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with more than 170 academic, career and technical programs. With six locations in central
Mississippi, «Ӱҵ enrolled nearly 12,000 credit students in fall 2014. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.«ӰҵCC.
Surrounded by members of her family, Kim Brookins of Jackson shows off the degree in office systems from «Ӱҵ on May 15. Brookins, 45, said she is the first person in her family to graduate from college. “In order to increase my career opportunities, I needed a degree,” she said.
Develle Collier of Brandon, center celebrates his degree with soon-to-be-fiancé Kanesha McAllister, left, and his dad Clyde McAfee. Collier plans to major in business administration at Belhaven College.
Mario Evans of Jackson received a certificate in welding on May 15 at «Ӱҵ. With him are his sister Jamanda Durke, left, her baby Calli, his girlfriend Schawanda Pierre and her sister Tiffany Pierre, far right.
Mary Catherine Harvey of Forest is surrounded by her family after graduating from «Ӱҵ on May 15. Harvey represented «Ӱҵ in the HEADWAE event in February and is an officer in the Raymond Campus chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
Andrew Bailey Coomes of Vicksburg graduated from «Ӱҵ on May 15 and plans to major in marine biology at the University of Southern Mississippi. With him are his parents John and Kim Coomes.
Betsi Turner, left, celebrates with new «Ӱҵ graduate Mkaysha Butler of Clinton.
Tracy Duncan of Florence graduated with an associate degree in Applied Science- occupational education, automotive collision repair on May 15 at «Ӱҵ. With him are his children, from left, Aidan, Laura and Ben. Duncan is the sports marketer/photographer at «Ӱҵ.
James Davis of Jackson celebrates graduating from «Ӱҵ on May 15 with his nephew and adopted son, Jarontae Craft. Davis plans to major in social work at Jackson State University.
Former Hi-Steppers Kaylee Scroggins of Brandon, left, and Shelby Byrd of Florence head to the University of Southern Mississippi after graduating from «Ӱҵ on May 15. The «Ӱҵ Hi-Steppers is one of the oldest precision dance teams in the country.