Contributed
DUBLIN – Lots of hugs, tears, and cheers on Friday, May 12 th as Bladen Community College graduates celebrated their accomplishments at the college’s annual graduation celebration.
In all, more than 300 students received their associate degree, diploma or certificate in an array of areas, including college transfer and technical programs such as, nursing, health sciences, skilled trades, business and public services technologies, public safety, early childhood education and information technology.
A day before the commencement exercises, special pinning ceremonies were held for Bladen Community College nursing programs. Included in that ceremony were 34 Associate Degree Nursing graduates. This is the first class to graduate under our new national accreditation obtained by Bladen Community College from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation. Graduating from an accredited nursing program will now increase the future academic progression and employment opportunities for BCC nursing graduates.
Beginning in 2021, Bladen Community College expanded its traditional graduation ceremony to include a campus wide celebration where graduates with their families and friends would have the opportunity to enjoy fun activities, music, complimentary food choices and colorful photo/selfie stations to capture memories. Informational exhibits and booths vital for transition from student to graduate and beyond were also included in this special event.
The highlight of the evening was the debut of a prerecorded graduation ceremony shown on a large outdoor screen. This video can be also viewed by clicking on a link embedded on the college’s website.
Bladen Community College President Dr. Amanda Lee began the prerecorded graduation ceremony by welcoming graduates and their families. She congratulated the Class of 2023. “Students – soon to be graduates – thank you for your hard work. Getting to this milestone is never easy but this Class of 2023 it is truly a testament to your commitment to reaching a goal. We are so proud of each and every one of you,” said Dr. Lee.
Greetings from the college’s Board of Trustees was brought by Dennis Troy, Chair “On behalf of every trustee, know that we are proud of you and your accomplishments. You have stayed the course, overcome the odds, and in many ways faced more than those before you. The Bladen Community College Board of Trustees stands strong with you! Before tonight you were our students, after tonight you are not only our graduates, but you will always be members of the Bladen Community College family. CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2023! Best wishes from the Bladen Community College trustees!”
The graduating class included 32 Career and College Promise (CCP) students from high schools across Bladen County. These CCP students finished an associate degree – tuition-free – while attending traditional high school and many are transferring to universities across North Carolina.
Another 29 graduates from Bladen Community Early College were also recognized.
Other BCC graduates earned a variety of degrees, including business administration, cosmetology, early childhood education, emergency medical science, engineering, and general education.
Fifty-three students of the Class of 2023 graduated with honors, and 12 graduated with the distinction of high honors. Thirty-two graduates were inducted in to the Sigma Kappa Delta Honor Society and nine into Phi Theta Kappa.
Nine students who enrolled as part of Bladen Community College’s Adult High School received a diploma and 16 earned a high school equivalent beating the odds and reaching an important milestone.
Fifty-eight students who earned workforce development credentials were recognized for their training and skills development in the areas of emergency medical technician, electricity levels, nurse aide, pharmacy technician and phlebotomy.
Stellar students were featured in the graduation ceremony video as they were selected earlier in the spring semester as Bladen Community College’s honorees for state wide community college recognitions
For the academic year of 2022-23, Bladen Community College’s Academic Excellence Award recipient is Weiziu Zhang. Each year, a student from each of North Carolina’s 58 Community College is nominated to be honored with the Award for Academic Excellence. It is a tradition at Bladen Community College to recognize its nominee at graduation. To be selected the student must be currently enrolled, have completed at least 12 semester hours in an associate degree program, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher, and is nominated by community college faculty. Weiziu received a certificate signed by the President of the North Carolina Community College System and a medallion a part of being recognized as one of the “Great Among the 58”.
The graduation ceremony invocation was given by Shelia Garcia, a nursing student at Bladen Community College, and the 2023 honoree for the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award. The award sponsored by the NC Association of Community College Presidents, was created in 2004 to recognize student leadership on a statewide level while also honoring Scott, one of the earliest supporters of the NC Community College System and its president from 1983 until 1994.
Natricia Mitchell, a BCC cosmetology student, is the 2023 nominee for the Dr. Dallas Herring Achievement Award and introduced the graduation ceremony guest speaker. The award was established in 2010 by the NCACCP to honor the late Dr. Dallas Herring, considered one of the founding fathers of the community colleges in North Carolina. The award is presented annually to a current or former student who best embodies
Herring’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.”
All three of these students are shining examples of the caliber and determination that many of Bladen Community College students possess.
Danyelle Cotton, a freshman at East Bladen High School, sang a moving and beautiful National Anthem.
The graduation ceremony guest speaker was Mike Nagowski, CEO, Cape Fear Valley Health System. His remarks were centered around the perseverance and achievements of the graduates in the unprecedented times of the pandemic. Mr. Nagowski concluded his remarks by saying, “Now that you have reached this achievement and are prepared for the next journey – I would like to challenge the graduates to not only take the technical skills that you learned but to also take the other things you have learned into the world – so that the next time you see someone dealing with significant change show them the levels of kindness and empathy that you received and wanted. The experiences you have earned on your way to this commencement not only make you more qualified than many that have come before you to adapt to change – I believe that it makes you more qualified to support others as they adapt to change. I believe that your support of others and your demonstration of kindness and empathy towards them will ultimately be your greatest contribution. Again, Congratulations on your accomplishments – we are excited for your futures and we are very proud of you!”
The evening ended with the official conferring of degrees, diplomas, and certificates by Dr. Lee and the traditional turning of the graduates’ tassels.
Bladen Community College currently offers 110 curriculum programs. Registration for Summer and Fall semester classes at Bladen Community College is now in full swing. New students can apply and take advantage of the college’s financial aid program and available scholarships. For more information, visit www.bladencc.edu.
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