SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2021 as the school observed a drive-through graduation on May 17th at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford. Ceremonies were held at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m.

"Without a doubt, Graduation Day is truly our favorite day of the academic calendar," CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman told attendees. "Graduation represents the culmination of such hard work, dedication, and sacrifice on the part of our graduates and their families -- and it also reflects that Central Carolina Community College is doing everything possible in its power to meet the educational and employment needs of our communities."

The graduation programs began to the skirl of a bagpipe, a CCCC tradition.

Dr. Kristi Short, CCCC Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, called out the names of each graduate as the vehicle in which they were riding passed in the processional. Dr. Chapman greeted each vehicle that included a vehicle magnet signifying his/her graduation from the college.

The Class of 2021 has approximately 585 students.

"'Persistence' is a word we hear a lot about in Higher Education circles today, and there's no better word to describe the Class of 2021," said Dr. Chapman. "The unfortunate pandemic that we've existed under resulted in all of us -- students and employees alike -- having to change practically everything about how we do business and deliver instruction and how we learn. Our faculty did a marvelous job changing up their courses to keep you on track and then found safe, suitable ways to keep you engaged and motivated in your educational journey.

"And you, our graduates, never lost faith or focus and persisted in your goal of graduating with your academic credential -- and that's why we're here today. What a wonderful testimony to 'persistence' when 585 graduates, both those participating today and those that aren't, didn't lose hope, didn't give up, and held on to make it across the finish line! Congratulations and what a job well done!"

Ken Hoyle, Vice President of Student Services, presented special awards.

Hoyle recognized retiring faculty Brenda Keller, Math Instructor; Markita McCrimmon, Department Chair of Justice Studies; and Lennie Stephenson, Medical Programs Director - Continuing Education.

During the graduation exercises, students with the highest academic honors were recognized. At 9 a.m. - Anna Leigh Daniel (Dental Hygiene), Lauren Rene Smith (Veterinary Medical Technology), Misty-Kay Williams (Veterinary Medical Technology), and Alma Ester Muniz Aguilar (Human Services Technology). At 11 a.m., Associate in Arts: Karen Morales, Andrea Lynn Kelly, Elysia Naomi Serra, and Sarah Katherine Walters; Associate in Science: Marcus Jizong Apodaca, Ethan Maddox Whitehouse Gurwitch, Bailey Morgan Watson. At 2 p.m., Associate in Applied Science: Heather Leigh Fawcett (Early Childhood Education), Brittany Marie Chattaway (Early Childhood Education), Sandra Marie Johnson (Early Childhood), Starlene Marie Cooner (Business Administration), Nathalia Lima (Business Administration), Morgan Elliott Rush (Criminal Justice Technology), and Tiffany Diane Owens (Library and Information Technology).

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society graduates were also recognized at each commencement. At 9 a.m., Melissa Rae Rodriguez, Cori Rogers, Lauren Smith, Aki Takemoto, Josephina Taylor, Barbara Taylor, Sabrina Tillman, and Elizabeth Ward. At 11 a.m., Mary Adams, Bryan Aguirre, Emily Ames, Jamie Anderson, Christian Brandt, Micah Ellington, Dominic Gaines, Rachel Gardner, Ethan Gurwitch, Jessica King, Juan Mandujano, Samuel Montoya, Devin Morton, Samantha Sama, Jayden Sansom, Roger Seufert-Navarro, Angel Kristine Uy, and Sarah Walters. At 2 p.m., Benjamin Armstrong, Stormy Benson, Madeline Cantrell, Sheila Chamblee, Brittany Chattaway, Jasmine Coney, Starlene Cooner, Alexis Cordero, Samantha Dzienisiewicz, Elizabeth Eckert, Taylor Flannery, Natasha Galloza Rosado, Peter Hedges, Samuel Hill, Sandra Johnson, Nathalia Lima, Darlene Lizotte, Kenan Marion, Hannah McGuire, Hannah Murphy, Alexis Spruiell, Crystal Williams, Tristian Williams, Bristol Wilson, Michaela Wilson, and Jaime Zarate.

"Thank you for choosing Central Carolina, thank you for staying engaged and cooperative with us during such trying times, and I wish for all of you peace, happiness, and nothing but the best in your future endeavors in the years to come," said Dr. Chapman.

Pictures from the graduation drive-through ceremonies can be downloaded at www.cccc.edu/slideshows.

Starting May 19th, the graduations can be seen on demand at www.4cnclive.com.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College - which is dedicated to providing pathways to achievable dreams, visit www.cccc.edu.