SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2022 as the school observed its 59th Commencement Exercises on May 16 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford.

The graduating students entered the main hall to the skirl of a bagpipe, a CCCC tradition.

CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman said in her address: "Graduation represents the culmination of the efforts of all divisions of the college along with those of our graduating students, which makes it one of the most exciting days of our academic calendar. Graduates, the trustees, administration, staff, faculty, and I want to share a heartfelt and proud 'congratulations' to each and every one of you for all you have accomplished. We are honored to join you today as we celebrate your achievements.

"Our community is proud of CCCC and it is because of how our graduates represent us that we enjoy respect for the college throughout Chatham, Harnett, Lee counties and beyond. I know you will continue that tradition and I want to thank you for how you have represented the Cougar Nation as students and how you will continue to represent us as alumni," said Dr. Chapman.

"It is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of the college family with all of the economic growth and career opportunities in our region. You have persevered through a pandemic to ensure the success of your family and our communities and you are to be commended on getting to this point -- I am so proud of you and so honored to serve as your president," said Dr. Chapman.

The Class of 2022 graduation ceremonies had approximately 759 students -- including 255 graduates from the fall -- who were expected to receive 896 credentials (associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates). Five commencement exercises, at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., were held to accommodate the number of graduates.

Dave Myers, CCCC Faculty Member of the Year, was Chief Marshal and Mace Bearer.

Students presenting Commencement Addresses were:

Zaire McMican of Fuquay-Varina (Associate of Arts graduate) was a member of the Male Minority Mentoring Initiative and Phi Beta Lambda -- and has begun his studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro as part of the Spartan Passage program. "Celebrate today and dream again tomorrow so that we may go on and achieve all that we desire," he said.

Nikki Lara of Sanford (Associate of Science graduate) is part of the N.C. State University C3 program. While in high school, she took Dental classes at CCCC. Her goal is to become a dentist who will provide affordable/free dental services to low-income people. "Congratulations to the Class of 2022, and I wish you all the best in your next chapter in life. I know we will all succeed," she said.

Victoria Isenhour of Sanford (Associate in Applied Science in Human Services graduate) got her Certified Nursing Assistant credentials from CCCC while she was a student in high school. While working at Westfield Rehabilitation and Health Center, she moved to patient admissions that led her to the CCCC Human Services program. "My college journey has been an exciting one, requiring my time and dedication. My advice is to keep looking ahead at the end goal despite the difficulties and challenges you may face. In the end, it is worth it," she said.

Brent Alexander of Sanford (Associate of Applied Science in Welding Graduate) started with the college while in high school as he was a part of the Caterpillar Welding Apprenticeship program. He now works full-time at Caterpillar. "Enjoy this day. You have earned it and deserve it. Go forth and prosper," he said.

Consuela Blaizes, CCCC Associate Dean of Health Sciences & Professional Services, spoke to graduates at the 9 a.m. program. "Some of you may have come to CCCC straight after high school, some of you may have started at CCCC while you were in high school, and some of you may have traveled a less direct route to get here. Many of you work -- possibly more than one job; many of you are caregivers to your children or maybe to your parents, but you all have something in common: perseverance. Regardless of the road that led you to college, you found your path," she said.

"You have all accomplished something amazing. Be proud of yourselves. I assure you that the faculty, staff, and administration of CCCC are immensely proud of you!"

Presenting the graduates were Dr. Kristi Short, Vice President/Chief Academic Officer.

Conferring of Diplomas was by Jan Hayes of the Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees.

The Lee County High School JROTC Color Guard had the Presentation of Colors.

Music was provided by the Ensemble of: Violins - Ken Hoyle (administration), Samantha Lane (staff), Emily Rubio (Lee Early College student); Viola - Karen Huey (retired music educator); Guitar - David Watson (faculty); Clarinet - Lauren Winkens (faculty); Cello: Alyson Cochrane (faculty); Violin and Piano - Miriam Bryant; Piano - Hunter Hoyle; Piper - Peter McArthur.

Providing the invocation during the ceremonies were Bishop Charles Mellette of Christian Provision Ministries, Pastor Brad Simpson of First Presbyterian Church of Sanford, and Dr. Delois W. Curry of Ebenezer Gospel Assembly Training Center.

Dr. Jon Matthews, CCCC Harnett Provost, presented special awards.

During the graduation exercises, students with the highest grade point averages in their divisions were recognized. At 9 a.m. - Mariah Nicole Applegate (Early Childhood Education), Samantha Lynn O'Hare (Veterinary Medical Technology), and Cameron DeVol Pulley (Veterinary Medical Technology). At 11 a.m., Shelby Mackenzie Brinker (Associate in Arts), Abigail Tiffany George (Associate in Arts), Jacob Ryan Kimble (Associate in Arts), Autumn-Isabel Sarahi Owenby (Associate in Arts), Jenna Leigh Skinner (Associate in Arts), Kirstyn Nevada Oaks (Library and Information Technology). At 1 p.m., Alexander Cook (Associate in Science), Patrick Steven McCaw (Associate in Science), Margaret Patricia Safrit (Associate in Science), Alexander Edward Stroud (Associate in Science), Vincente Banuelos (Laser and Photonics Technology). At 3 p.m., Jeremy Scott Thomas (Business Administration), Raymond Bradford Biehl (Criminal Justice Technology), Darlene Lizotte (Criminal Justice/Forensic Science), Victoria Scott Isenhour (Human Services Technology), Audrey Grace Thomas (Diploma Business Management). At 5 p.m., Eric Francis Sauer (Sustainable Agriculture), Lyndsey Jordan Taylor (Cosmetology).

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society graduates were also recognized at each commencement. At 9 a.m., Eileen Michele Dove, Erin M. Kaukereit, Kelly Hamilton Kehoe, Samantha Lynn O'Hare, Cameron DeVol Pulley, Lauren Chappell Reynolds, Macie Layne Watson, and Anneliese Nicole Yodlowsky. At 11 a.m., Lizbeth Arvizu-Benavidez, Easton Bodie Brewer, Solomon Bruton, Riley Elizabeth Crouch, Keila Cruz-Hernandez, Kaycee Alexandria Davis, Abigail Tiffany George, Juana Gomez Soriano, Khalya Ashanti Green, Samuel Lee Hill, Hailey Kessler, Jacob Ryan Kimble, Deidra Ann Knight, Melanie Mather, Darrell Christopher McIver, Kirstyn Nevada Oaks, Evan Matthew Pruette, Jenna Leigh Skinner, Mia Sosa DeJesus, Sherry Johnson Sparks, and Jaime Zarate. At 1 p.m., Nicolette Elana DeChamplain, Mauro E. Di Ilio, Clara Giselle Galeano, Reid Adams Gregory, Patrick Steven McCaw, Erica Makayla McLean, Brandon James Phillips, Margaret Patricia Safrit, Elena Corinne Stansbury, Grace Virginia Stewart, and Audrey Grace Thomas.. At 3 p.m., Raymond Bradford Biehl, Vanessa Torres Campos, Marley Cheyenne Dinger, Victoria Scott Isenhour, Darlene M. Lizotte, Tamieka Long, Alyssa Cheyenne O'Shields, Tristan Shane Patterson, Kimberly Ann Pinter, Yolanda Yvette Richmond, Billy H. Riggsbee, Aspen Cian Ling Taylor, and Michaela Wilson. At 5 p.m., Carly Allen Lopez, Johnie W. Steward, and Roxanna Flores Zapto.

Also recognized during graduation were three retiring CCCC faculty members - Richard Biggs (Information Technology instructor), Lisa Key Brown (Developmental Education, Chair), and Karen Owen-Bogan (English instructor), as well as college administrator Dr. Linda Scuiletti (Vice President of Assessment, Planning & Research).

Following each commencement exercise, family and friends gathered to take pictures of their graduate's special day.

Pictures from the commencement exercises can be downloaded at www.cccc.edu/slideshows.

For information about Central Carolina Community College and its programs, visit its website, www.cccc.edu.