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Holmes Community College held the 94th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 12 in Frank Branch Coliseum on the Goodman Campus.
The Ridgeland Campus and Yazoo Center ceremony was held at 10 a.m. and the Goodman, Grenada and Attala Center graduates had a ceremony at 2 p.m. The ceremony was also live streamed at holmesccmedia.com/white-channel.
Each ceremony began with a faculty and administration processional. Ava Stegall served as the mace bearer for the first ceremony and Hayley Haffey carried the mace for the second one. Following the processional, a video produced by the Holmes Marketing Department was shown that highlighted the major events/campus life for the 2021-2022 school year. Next, Ridgeland Campus Phi Theta Kappa President Bethany Biggers gave the invocation during the first ceremony and Grenada Campus PTK President Tanner Vance gave it during the second one. Vice President for Academic Programs Dr. Jenny Bailey Jones and Vice President for Career Technical Education Dr. Amy Whittington followed the invocation with a welcome and a few inspiring remarks.
“Graduates, during your time at Holmes, you have learned how to put words into action, how to listen carefully and communicate clearly, how to understand and appreciate complexity and to continue to make Mississippi a great place to live and work,” Dr. Whittington said. “These are the fruits of a college education and the skills for a lifetime, the building blocks of a productive, ethical and satisfying life.Class of 2022, you are joining Dr. Jones and me as proud alumnae of this College and will become part of the lifelong Holmes family, a connection we hope brings you as much pride as it has for us in our lives.”
Dr. Jones shared a famous quote by John Wesley, as well.
“As you move on to the next part of your journey, remember to ‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can,’” Dr. Jones said. “Welcome to all, and congratulations graduates!”
After Dr. Jones and Dr. Whittington’s remarks, Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey stepped forward to present special awards/recognitions. The awards given were the M.C. McDaniel Scholarship Award and the Outstanding Phi Theta Kappan Award. The M.C. McDaniel family established this scholarship to be presented to outstanding graduating sophomores who plan to further their education at an institution of higher learning.
Yasmin Chambers was the M.C. McDaniel Scholarship recipient for Ridgeland, Nicholas Johnson, for Grenada, and Lucas Price for Goodman.
Chambers is a computer engineering major, serves as a combat engineer for the U.S. Army and works as a sterile processing tech for University of Mississippi Medical Center. Additionally, she is a tutor and volunteers for Molina Health Care, Gamblin’s Orthodontics and Madison-Ridgeland Pet Grooming. On campus, Chambers is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and is a Dean’s List scholar. In the fall, Chambers plans to attend Mississippi State University and continue majoring in computer engineering. With this degree, she plans to create new and innovative medical technology.
Johnson, an elementary education major, holds several accolades at Holmes including Freshman Class Favorite, Dean’s List scholar, President’s List scholar, Holmes Foundation Scholarship recipient, Fine Arts Award recipient and Mississippi Economic Council Hobnob recipient. He serves as an Ambassador; the SGA secretary and treasurer; Baptist Student Union member, and a Writing Center tutor. After Holmes, Nicholas will transfer to Delta State University to earn a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in elementary education and administration.
Price, an accounting major, was named Mr. Holmes Community College during the 2020-2021 school year. He served as vice president of Phi Theta Kappa in 2021, president of Phi Theta Kappa in 2022 and was on the President’s List every semester. Price is also a member of the Holmes Connection!, Coachmen, Chorale and Baptist Student Union. After graduation from Holmes, Price plans to continue his education at Mississippi State University to pursue a career in accounting.
Price also received the Outstanding Phi Theta Kappan for the Goodman Campus. Bethany Biggers was the Ridgeland Campus Outstanding Phi Theta Kappan Award recipient and Tanner Vance, Grenada’s.
Biggers, a pre-medical major, president of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, president of STEM Club, an Ambassador, an SGA representative and served as the 2021 Ridgeland Campus Student Body Homecoming Maid. As a freshman, she served as secretary of the STEM Club, was voted Freshmen Class Favorite, received the English Composition Award and was involved in Focus Factor. She is planning to transfer to Mississippi State University and after graduation, plans to attend University of Mississippi Medical School to further her dream of becoming a pediatrician.
Vance is the president of the Alpha Mu Beta chapter. He is a Holmes Ambassador, Student Government Association Representative, Baptist Student Union member, Campus Favorite, and an intern at Malachi Financial. He will transfer to The University of Mississippi Grenada and continue his education in Business Administration.
After the special awards, Director of Admissions Bethany Miller addressed the graduates.
“We are so proud of you!” Miller said. “As you leave today, you are embarking upon a new chapter in your journey of life, and we sincerely hope you consider Holmes Community College a place to which you can return for support and encouragement. Our interest in you does not end today. As alumni, we ask that you stay in touch because you are important to us – our administration, faculty, and staff. You carry the legacy of Holmes with you wherever you go, so when you succeed, Holmes Community College succeeds.
Each graduate made their way to the stage one-by-one to receive their diploma as their name was called. Miller concluded the ceremony, and presented the Class of 2022 to the audience.
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