PITTSBORO - Central Carolina Community College celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2018 as the school observed its 55th Commencement Exercises on May 10 at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center.

The graduating students entered the main hall to the skirl of a bagpipe, a CCCC tradition.

"The administration, staff, faculty, and I want to say a hearty 'congratulations' to each and every one of you for your hard work and achievement. As you go out in the community, you will see how beloved CCCC is in the three-county service area and the surrounding region. This admiration for the College should make our graduates feel proud of our institution and good about their decision to enroll at CCCC for their higher education experience," said CCCC President Dr. T. Eston Marchant.

"With several new programs and new facilities just now coming online, it is indeed a highly exciting time in the history of the College and we are so pleased and proud that our graduates today were a part of the College at this time," said Dr. Marchant.

The Class of 2018 has approximately 741 students -- including those expected to graduate after attending summer classes, who are expected to receive 811 credentials (associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates).

Four commencement exercises, at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., were held to accommodate the number of graduates. That also allowed those who will complete their studies during the summer to walk in a graduation ceremony, since there will be no summer commencement exercises.

Bianka Rhodes Stumpf, CCCC Faculty Member of the Year, gave the commencement address.

Stumpf told the graduates that their education has not been the three R's alone -- Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. "You've had to be schooled maybe again and again in a fourth and most important R--Resilience. You have had to rebound from difficulties that may well have felt like they would break you. Instead of running, you resolved to dig in," said Stumpf, noting that every graduate is resilient. "You're here. You're about to hold what you've been reaching for despite any darkness. You know the cracks. But now you've seen a light. Working toward a worthy goal -- whatever it is -- is the light getting in."

Dr. Brian S. Merritt, CCCC Vice President of Student Learning and Chief Academic Officer, presented the graduates. Conferring of Diplomas was by Trustee Jan Hayes at the 9 a.m. graduation, Trustee Jim Burgin at the 11:30 a.m. graduation, Trustee Bobby Powell at the 2 p.m. graduation, and Trustee George Lucier at the 4 p.m. graduation.

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

During the graduation exercises, students with the highest grade point averages in their divisions were recognized. At 9 a.m. --Stacey Hinman, Lacey Anne Kuenzler, Corey Paige Rogers, Sydney Smith Thornton, Cindy Vorholt, Rebecca Leigh Walter. At 11:30 a.m., Ashley Danielle Garrett, Darinka Arisbeth Guevara, Kayla Tang Put, Eva Marie Whorley. At 2 p.m., Gazal Abda Alowdi, Brian Jay Bendana, Lexie Mae Brinkley, Ashley Nichole Hatton, Griffin William Powell, Bailey Suzanne VanBemmelen. At 4 p.m., Megan Elizabeth Bowers, Christopher A. Busch, Thomas John Eldridge, Caleb Winslow Keene, Michael Francis Klopp, Austin Louis Machak, Evan Robert O'Keefe, Nicole Gean Thompson.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society graduates were also recognized at each commencement. At 9 a.m., Teresa Evonda Boler, Judith Lockhart Brown, Cherish Jessica Butler, Gabrielle Brooke Godfrey, Rosemary Schuh Hilliard, Stacey W. Hinman, Monica Lynn Parman, Cori Paige Rogers, Cindy K. Vorholt, Della Frances Wise, Jennifer McLean Womble. At 11:30 a.m., Sarah Austin, Laney Flaugher, VaTonya Necole Gardner, Jordan Skye Graham, Shana Lynn Johnson, Marianna Gail Lucas, Angela Kaye Payne, Lisa Dawn Phillips, Kayla Tang Put, Nickie Tayler Runyan, Mia Chanel Simpson, Sreedevi Sreekumarvanmathi, Kaylee Michelle Vranish. At 2 p.m., Gazal Abdo Alowdi, Ashley Elizabeth Bailey, Lashawn Antwaneta Dubose, Teresa Noemi Echeverria, Tara Monet Gillian, Kristen Marie Miller, Alison Spence Plumley, Seth Sheppard. At 4 p.m., Christopher A. Busch, Thomas John Eldridge, Esmeralda Guzman-Ocampo, Rosemary Hillard, Rasheed W. Jones Sr., Nickolas Jerroll Jorgenson, Michael Francis Kropp, Allyson Ebert Lee, Tyshonne Montrese McSwain, Jennifer Ashley May, Elizabeth Espinoza Plata, Nicole Gean Thompson.

Following each commencement exercise, family and friends gathered to take pictures of their graduate's special day.

Pictures from the commencement exercises can be downloaded at www.cccc.edu.

For information about Central Carolina Community College and its programs, visit its website, www.cccc.edu or call the college at 919-775-5401.