Summer at Robeson Community College is not as fast-paced as the fall and spring semesters, but summer is not completely devoid of excitement. This is especially true for the approximately 50 students who walked across the stage in the A.D. Lewis Auditorium this past Tuesday for summer graduation ceremonies.
Because our one-year diplomas require most students to attend three semesters — fall, spring and summer — to complete their requisite courses, Robeson Community College has traditionally held a summer graduation in early August to accommodate these students and others who may be graduating earlier or later than their program prescribes.
RCC Vice President Bill Mauney called the assembly to order, Student Government President Melissa Sampson led the Pledge of Allegiance and Pastor Anna Maynor delivered the invocation. RCC President Kimberly Gold welcomed family and friends. Trustee Chairperson Sammy Cox offered a greeting on behalf of the board of trustees before Gold introduced RCC History instructor Roy Raby as the commencement speaker. You can view photos of the ceremony and graduates receiving their diplomas on the college’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RobesonCommunityCollege. Names of graduates will be listed on the college’s website at www.robeson.edu/category/news soon.
Tuesday was doubly exciting for the Practical Nursing class of 2017. After these students marched across the stage to receive their diplomas in the morning, they returned to the same stage that afternoon for their pinning ceremony.
Graduating Practical Nurse Lydia Carter delivered the invocation. RCC Nursing Program Director Dr. Eva Meekins welcomed family and friends of the honorees and introduced student speaker Michelle Crews.
Jerry Locklear, clinical manager of Fresenius Medical Care in Fairmont and RCC Nursing alumnus, was the guest speaker for this event. Locklear’s family has deep connections with the college. He earned his associate degree in Nursing in 2011, his sister Kim earned the same degree in 2005, and brother Matthew did likewise in 2013. Additionally, the matriarch of the family, Ms. Gloria Locklear, served the college for several years as a compensatory education instructor. Jerry Locklear delivered an inspiring talk to the nurse graduates entitled “How I Care.”
The group Christian Teens in Action provided special music prior to the pinning of the recent graduates. Select family or friends presented each graduate with a rose on the stage immediately after her pinning.
Following a lamp-lighting ceremony and the reciting of the Nightingale Pledge by the graduates, President Gold offered closing remarks. Pictures of this ceremony are also available on the college’s Facebook page and a list of the students who were pinned is available on our website at www.robeson.edu/category/news.
Robeson Community College offers several one-year diploma programs. If you or someone you know would like to inquire about graduating next August, contact our admissions department at 910-272-3342 or visit us on the web at www.robeson.edu/admissions. Time is of the essence however, as fall semester classes begin on Aug. 14!
