Nash Community College kicked off its graduation celebrations on Thursday, May 6 as the Electric Line Construction Academy students participated in a rodeo and graduation event. Students practiced protected grounding, climbing obstacles and hurt man rescue techniques.
On Thursday, May 13, NCC recognized Associate Degree Nursing and Veterinary Medical Technology graduates in an outdoor pinning ceremony held on campus. Twenty-two nursing graduates and six Veterinary Medical Technology graduates were honored during the event.
The Nursing graduates are now eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Veterinary Medical Technology graduates are eligible to take state and national examinations administered by the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board.
On Saturday, May 15 in an outdoor ceremony, NCC honored its adult high school, high school equivalency, degree, diploma and certificate graduates. “What a journey you, and we, have been on to get to this point,” President Dr. Lew Hunnicutt said. “Your perseverance to complete your program of study truly inspires me. You completed your coursework during a worldwide pandemic that continues to this day.”
“We have been fortunate to watch you grow and blossom during your time at Nash Community College,” Hunnicutt said. “From the day you first came to campus and possibly were thinking ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ to the time after your first semester or two when you began thinking, ‘I think I can do this…” to this special day. You are now, and forever will be, a Nash Community College Nighthawk.”
Rocky Mount native, Kevin Jones, delivered the keynote address. Recalling the advice given by the speaker at his own graduation, Jones told the graduates success would likely come when they find their advantages in the world. “There are three advantages that each of you has as you gear up to leave your mark on your piece of the world: application of things you’ve learned, adaptability and attitude.”Student Government President, Kody Wooten, shared encouraging words with the Class of 2021. “We’ve all given up something to be here,” he said. “Some of us enrolled in college as a way to start over, escape a bad situation at home, or chase a long-forgotten dream. When all else fails, always remember: with this achievement/degree, you have given yourself the best gift possible.”
“You have given yourself the gift of a brighter future,” Wooten continued, “but also the skills to perform and the knowledge to succeed in whatever you may find yourself faced with going forward in life. Never stop challenging yourself. Never give up or forget why you have done this. Set goals that are so big that you can’t achieve them until you become the kind of person who can. Seek novelty and knowledge and continue to grow beyond your limits. Try things outside your comfort zone. Pursue habits that push you to learn new things about the world and yourself.”