East Mississippi Community College held a spring graduation ceremony Saturday on the Scooba campus and was to conduct graduation for the Golden Triangle campus Tuesday.
More than 700 academic and career-technical students who completed their coursework at the Scooba, Golden Triangle, Columbus Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Meridian, Lion Hills, West Point Center and online/eLearning campuses are graduating this term.
Graduation ceremonies for students at the Scooba campus began at 10 a.m. in the Keyes Currie Coliseum.
In-state graduates hail from 49 counties and 97 cities in Mississippi, with additional graduates from eight other U.S. states.
EMCC President Dr. Scott Alsobrooks spoke to the students about the importance of setting goals.
“Goals help keep us focused and pointed in the right direction,” Alsobrooks said. “You have reached one milestone today. Set your sights on another. Determine where you want to be next year, five years, or even 10 years from now and work to make it happen.
“For some of you that may mean continuing your education. For others that may be entering the workforce. Maybe your goal is to become a supervisor, vice president or CEO in your chosen field. Formulate a plan and keep moving forward.”
Alsobrooks recounted how during his early career as an engineer at Stennis Space Center, he took advantage of an opportunity to work at the University of Southern Mississippi helping manufacturers in Mississippi remain competitive.
While at USM, he began work on his master’s degree and later accepted a position of director of workforce development at Pearl River Community College.
“I accepted that challenge and along the way earned my PhD,” Alsobrooks said. “I am here at this great institution because of another opportunity. I planned my career path and worked toward that goal. At the time I thought it was a good plan but here I am in a different field on a new trajectory because of the opportunities that arose.”
“So, set goals and plan for your future but be prepared for new opportunities,” Alsobrooks said. “Keep an open mind and peer through every door that opens.”
Area graduates by county and hometown were:
Webster County
· Eupora: Mary Flemings, Destin Gladney, Laura Hankins, Cameron Hitt, Destinee Meyers, Jerry Russell, Lakeymesh Townsend, Ashley Williams
· Mantee: Maculley Johnson, Anabella Tillie, Travarcus Valentine, Hayden Flemings, Dawanda Owens, Ariel Hernandez
· Mathiston: Patrick Boone, Donald Peterson, Anna Shields, Richie Winfield, Connor Daniel, William Booth, Dawson Keller, Dakota Burton, Chaffin Upchurch
Montgomery County
· Stewart: Kurtis Odom
Oktibbeha County
· Maben: Luke Crowley, Chad Crowley, Wanda Reid, Katie Hargett, Tate Stallings, Jacob Coker, Roger Jones
