SANFORD - Phyllis Isenhour had one word to describe receiving her Nursing Assistant I certificate: "Wonderful!"
Isenhour and other Central Carolina Community College Continuing Education medical programs graduates were presented their certificates during the Medical Programs Graduation May 25 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.
For Isenhour, it's been a long time coming.
"I worked in social services for 31 years, but I always wanted to be a nurse," said Isenhour, who is 70. Retirement gave her the opportunity to pursue her dream at CCCC and a second career in a field she loves.
Sharon Cambpell, of Bunnlevel, received her Optometric Technician certificate at the graduation. She has already received four job offers.
"It feels good to have something under my belt," she said of her training.
A total of 112 diplomas and certificates were earned during the spring semester. Some students earned multiple certificates. Sixty-five took part in the graduation ceremony.
Alice Gilchrist, dean of Continuing Education, gave the graduation address. The graduation was both a happy and a poignant occasion for her because, after 20 years at CCCC, she was retiring the next day.
"I can think of no better way to spend the night before my retirement," she said. "I believe in the community college system with my whole heart; I believe we do an excellent job."
Then she told the graduates, "This is your night. You have made such a wonderful decision. I know you will have success. You have the look of success, the look of people who've accomplished something. No one can take that from you."
She challenged the graduates to remember that they had chosen careers that would make critical differences in the lives of the patients they served.
"You have the power to uplift," she said, "the power of compassion, the power of the human touch. I challenge you to remember how important that is."
Following the recessional, the Civic Center lobby quickly filled with family and friends gathering around the graduates with congratulations. Patricia Treminio, of Sanford, got hugs from her husband, Jose Mejia, and children, Kayle and Emmie. Patricia received her Nursing Assistant II certificate.
"It was a struggle," she said, then added with a big smile, "but it feels great!"
Phyllis Isenhour (right), of Sanford, has finally achieved a long-term dream of going into the nursing field. At age 70, she received her Nursing Assistant I certificate during Central Carolina Community College’s Continuing Education Medical Programs Graduation May 29 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Celebrating with her is a friend, Carl Anderson, of Kannapolis.
Sharon Campbell (left), of Bunnlevel, receives her Optometric Technician certificate from Alice Gilchrist, dean of Continuing Education, during Central Carolina Community College’s Continuing Education Department’s Medical Programs Graduation May 29 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Judy Farmer (right), the college’s Lee County Continuing Education Health Program coordinator, assists in presenting the certificates and also presented pins to the Nursing Assistant graduates.
Kimberly Phillips (left) of Chatham County, receives her Medical Terminology certificate from Alice Gilchrist, dean of Continuing Education, during Central Carolina Community College’s Continuing Education Department’s Medical Programs Graduation May 29 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Judy Farmer (right), the college’s Lee County Continuing Education Health Program coordinator, assists in presenting the certificates and also presented pins to the Nursing Assistant graduates.
Sharon Campbell (left), of Bunnlevel, gets a congratulatory hug from her mom, Barbara Campbell, after Sharon received her Optometric Technician certificate during Central Carolina Community College’s Continuing Education Department’s Medical Programs Graduation May 29 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.
Patricia Treminio (left), of Sanford, receives her Nursing Assistant II certificate from Alice Gilchrist, dean of Continuing Education, during Central Carolina Community College’s Continuing Education Department’s Medical Programs Graduation May 29 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.
Patricia Treminio (right), of Sanford, and her family – husband Jose Mejia (left), and daughters Kayle (front, with certificate) and Emmie – share the pride of her achievement in receiving a Nursing Assistant II certificate during Central Carolina Community College’s Continuing Education Department’s Medical Programs Graduation May 29 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center.