Dental Assisting graduate Arial Thierry didn’t make new friends at «Ӱҵ. She made new family.
Thierry, the speaker for the nursing and allied health graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 15, reminded fellow graduates and their families how intense their program is but also how they learned to rely on each other for strength.
Arial Thierry of Brandon, left, gave the graduation speech on behalf of nursing and allied health students; Nija Spires of Jackson, right, gave the invocation. They are with «Ӱҵ President Dr. Stephen Vacik.
“«Ӱҵ supplied us with some of the best faculty members who helped us when things were not OK. While growing here, I had a family when I came to school,” she said.
“I had sisters to laugh with, a grandmother that gave great advice, an aunt that would be the life of the party and an uncle I had to bring breakfast for every morning. «Ӱҵ supplied people who acted more like family than teachers, and I could not ask for better,” said Thierry of Brandon, who plans to either enroll as a dental hygiene student or become an orthodontist assistant. Outside of «Ӱҵ, she is in the Air Force Reserve.
«Ӱҵ graduated more than 800 students in one of three graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. «Ӱҵ awarded 1,150 certificates and degrees, with some students receiving more than one credential.
Of those graduating, 148 were cum laude with a grade point average of 3.2 to 3.59; 94 were graduating magna cum laude with a grade point average of 3.6 to 3.99 and 117 were graduating summa cum laude with a grade point average of 4.0.
Giving the invocation for the nursing/allied health ceremony was graduate Nija Spires of Jackson who received an Associate Degree in Nursing. She is a member of Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society, which recognizes the academic excellence of students in the study of Associate Degree Nursing. She already has a position lined up in pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UMMC.
Nija Spires of Jackson, right, gave the invocation on behalf of nursing and allied health students at the Dec. 15 «Ӱҵ graduation. Behind her is «Ӱҵ President Dr. Stephen Vacik.
«Ӱҵ President Dr. Stephen Vacik acknowledged the extra difficulties students had because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Commencement is a proud occasion for the «Ӱҵ family. Every graduation ceremony is special to the college, as we celebrate the success of each student. It is important that we truly celebrate what our graduates have achieved – they have overcome a series of unusual circumstances over the last several months,” he said.
Receiving Associate Degrees in Nursing from «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15 were, from left, Candace Raymond-Stasher of Byram, Kayleigh Polk of Brandon, Miranda Kittrell of Forest and Caitlin Adkins of Utica.
Kimberly Grissom of Ridgeland celebrated with family, balloons and roses after receiving her Associate Degree in Nursing from «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15.
Surrounded by family, David Boydston of Raymond celebrated receiving an Associate Degree in Nursing from «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15.
Kathy Elliott, Dean of Health Sciences at «Ӱҵ, checked in practical nursing graduate Terkedia Morgan-Martin of Byram for the Dec. 15 graduation ceremony.
Hannah Kittrell of Sylvania and LaQuandra Norwood of Brandon received certification in practical nursing at «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15.
Lindsey Huffman of Florence received an Associate Degree in Nursing from «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15. She is with dad Brent, mom Vicki and sister Kayla.
Dean of Nursing Dr. Mellisa Tillson was the mace bearer for the nursing and allied health ceremony at «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15.
Kiki McCallister of Pearl graduated from «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15. Celebrating with her are son Caden, 12, and husband Michael.
Anna Pruitt of Florence received an Associate Degree in Nursing from «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15. With her are daughter Ella Marie, 7, and husband Matthew.
Chasity Robinson of Vicksburg was rewarded with balloons by her family after her Dec. 15 graduation from «Ӱҵ with her credential for practical nursing.
Jessica Hill of Raymond, left, and Taletha Green of Jackson received their degrees in health care assisting from «Ӱҵ on Dec. 15.
