May 10, 2003 t 6:30 p.m. t Continuing Education Center

On Saturday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m., the BLET Program conducted its spring graduation. Dr. Eason welcomed the guests to graduation. Teresa Kimbro was selected by the students as the class spokesperson. Mrs. Kimbro thanked everyone for their support during the program. The keynote speakers were; PJ Stanley of the Claremont PD, Sharon Watts of the Statesville PD and Tony Jones of the Taylorsville PD. Teresa Kimbro won the academic award for high grade point average. Dr. Eason presented the students their certificates. On Friday, May 16, 2003, nine BLET students took the BLET State Certification Exam and all passed. —Submitted by Gordon Knight

May 9, 2003 t 7:00 p.m. t On the Circle

The Nursing Pinning Ceremony for the 2003 graduating class from the Holbrook-Huskins Associate Degree Nursing program was held on Friday May 9, 2003 in Shearer Hall. Forty-five graduating nursing students received their pins during the ceremony. The pianist for the ceremony was Ms. Sandra Johnson. Ms. Johnson was also the featured soloist and sang the musical selection "I Hope You Dance". Freshman honor marshals included: Ms. Michelle Carpenter, Ms. Cherilyn Davis, Ms. Melinda Disharoon, and Ms. Tawnya Millard. Mr. Craig Doig gave the invocation. Mr. Walter Bartlett, Director of Allied Health and Public Service Technologies, welcomed the audience. Ms. Danni Barnhardt, class president, made opening remarks. The speaker for the pinning ceremony was Ms. Kaye Miller, the former director of the nursing program. Graduating students were acknowledged by Mrs. Linda Wiersch and then received their nursing pins from Mrs. Cathy Herbert and Mrs. Camille Reese. Mrs. Libby Beam presented Nightingale lamps. Mrs. Arlene Bobo led the students in reciting the Florence Nightingale pledge. Mrs. Betsy Yarborough and Mrs. Camille Reese presented senior superlative awards. Awards were presented to the following students: Academic Achievement—Ms. Faith Bailey, Leadership—Ms. Danni Barnhardt, Professionalism—Mr. Craig Doig, Humanitarianism—Ms. Jennifer Munson, Most Likely To Succeed—Ms. Jacquelynn Jedrzejek, Outstanding Clinician—Ms. Denise Seegar, Tenacity—Ms. Crystal Isenhour, and Best All Around Student Nurse—Ms. Maria Jones. The first annual Beth Maine Scholarship award was presented during the ceremony. The award recipient was chosen by the family of Beth Maine, a former part-time nursing faculty. Jessica Patterson received the scholarship award. Dr. Douglas Eason presented the Excellence in Education award to Mrs. Carol Craig, a part time nursing faculty member. He also presented the Claude Raiford III Award to Mrs. Linda Wiersch. After the benediction by Maria Jones, the graduates were honored with a reception in the Montgomery Student Center. The reception was given by the freshman nursing class. —Submitted by Camille Reese

Amanda Johnson talks with Carol Craig, the Excellence in Education part-time award winner	Catherine Miller
Camille Reese, Director of Nursing, presents Brandon Crouch his pin while Cathy Herbert, nursing instructor, looks on	The 2003 graduates
Arlene Bobo, nursing instructor, congratulates Faith Bailey

May 12, 2003 t 7:00 p.m. t On the Circle

On Monday, May 12, 2003, 133 of this year’ s 313 GED graduates marched across the stage on the Circle to receive their certificate of recognition. Despite being just a little windy, the weather was just right for an outdoor ceremony. Mr. Joe Troutman, Board of Trustees chairman, welcomed everyone and introduced the platform guests. The Mitchell Community College Inspirational Choir sang a beautiful rendition of "I Believe I Can Fly." Three 2003 graduates spoke, giving their reasons for acquiring their GEDs. The speakers were Ms. Jonna Cass, Ms. Pam Dalton, and Mr. Jorge Vasquez. Dr. William Findt introduced the speaker for the evening, Mrs. Peggy D. Murdock. Peggy is Administrative Assistant at the South Statesville Skills Center. She is a GED graduate, a Mitchell Community College graduate, and now a graduate of Catawba college. Her message was very inspirational for everyone. Mrs. Carol Johnson, Dean of Continuing Education, presented this year’s graduates to Dr. Eason to receive their Certificate of Recognition. Dr. Eason then spoke to the graduates, telling them that they would each be awarded a scholarship for one free class during fall semester. Following the ceremony and recessional, the graduates and guests were treated to a reception in front of the Student Center. Congratulations to the GED class of 2003! —Submitted by Linda Schade

Peggy Murdock, Administrative Assistant at the South Statesville Skills Center, was the speaker for the evening	Cassandra Johnson received flowers for her accomplishment
Rita Williams -- a proud graduate	Dr. Douglas Eason presents a graduate with her diploma
Graduates and the audience gathered on the Circle on a beautiful May evening

May 13, 2003 t 7:00 p.m. t On the Circle

Under beautiful spring skies, the College celebrated the successes of this year’s degree, diploma, and certificate recipients with an evening ceremony featuring 212 graduates. The Mitchell Community College Band played for the processional and recessional and the Mitchell Community College Choir performed the selection, "The Gift of the Morning." The 2003 President’s Award winner was announced by President Douglas Eason. This year’s award went to Benjamin Hamilton. Ms. Carolyn A. Mints, Director of Community Relations for the Mint Museum of Art and the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, provided the graduation address. Ms. Mints exhorted the graduates regarding the importance of fulfilling one’s life through serving and helping others and illustrated these thoughts through some of her own life experiences. Ms. Mints remarked that "it’s not about me; it’s about you" and urged the graduates to pursue their dreams and to serve others. Dr. Ralph Soney, Vice-President for Instruction, presented the candidates as they came to the podium to individually receive their credentials from President Eason. The ceremony concluded with the graduates, faculty, and staff being led from the Circle by student graduation marshals. —Submitted by Dan Manning

Ms. Carolyn A. Mints, Director of Community Relations for the Mint Museum of Art and the Mint Museum of Craft & Design provided the graduation address	Dr. Douglas Eason presents Denise Ervin her cosmetology diploma
Graduates line up in the hallway of the Vocational Building prior to the processional	The processional
The graduates wait for their degrees to be conferred