Class of 2024 Continues Growth in Graduations

Beaufort County Community College held its commencement exercises for its graduating students on May 10. The Class of 2024 saw 367 students eligible to participate in the ceremony, having earned certificates, diplomas, or degrees, a ten percent increase from the previous year. With some students earning multiple credentials, the total number of credentials earned by the Class of 2024 was 431. The Class of 2024 includes all students who successfully completed a credential during the Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024 semesters.

Beaufort CCC welcomed Dr. Shirley Carraway, board member of the State Board of Community Colleges, as its commencement speaker. Carraway has 30 years of public school experience as a speech clinician, an elementary and high school principal, an associate superintendent, a trainer and staff developer, and a superintendent.

Her work in higher education included facilitating the development of a Virtual Early College High School program at East Carolina University, leading the Chancellor’s Leadership Academy for faculty and staff, and serving as the principal investigator for a $9 million Teacher Quality Partnership Grant in the College of Education. She has Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University.

After retiring, Carraway worked as a consultant for one of the U.S. Department of Education’s regional comprehensive centers, assisting the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to increase its capacity to support school districts to address Elementary and Secondary Education Act requirements. She also worked with the Kentucky Department of Education as a coach for newly appointed superintendents.

Carraway relied on college staff to help her navigate the world of higher education, as she was the first in her family to attend. “What I lacked in having family to guide me through this experience, this strange new land, I had campus support and a deep determination to live a life I had not lived, but I knew existed,” she said.

“Graduation is a testament to your resilience, your tenacity, and your unwavering commitment to your dreams and your aspirations,” she told the Class of 2024. “Today is a symbol of your ability to overcome challenges, to push boundaries, and to reach new heights.”

These graduates are leaving the college with many honors in hand. They have earned certificates and degrees in programs such as associate degree nursing, criminal justice technology, cosmetology, emergency medical science, medical laboratory technology, mechanical engineering technology, and degrees such as Associate in Arts or Associate in Science geared toward transferring into a bachelor degree program at a university.

Among the graduates were 137 honor students with gold tassels who earned a GPA of at least 3.5 or higher, representing 37 percent of the graduates. Twenty-four graduated Summa Cum Laude, having earned a 4.0, including Lauren J. Armstrong, Jessica L. Blake, Johnny M. Blaylock, Samantha K. Braddy, Aiden A. Bryant, Charity J.Campbell, Keenan W. Curtis, Tyeshia L. French, D’Asia S.Hyman, Elizabeth P. Koehler, Gracie C. Landeck, Madison M. LeCompte, Delaney G. Lewis, Isabella L. Mabe, Elliot L. Melton, Taliyah D. Moore, Marcela Pullmanova, Isabella A. Raig, Lauren E. Rouse, Charlotte O. Simons, Heidi A. Surguy, Kathleen P. Vasquez, Nathan A. White, and Coleman Williams.

Dr. Lisa Hill, vice president of academic affairs, announced the Faculty Member of the Year, Chris Campbell, music professor, and the Staff Member of the Year, Bill Gardner, maintenance mechanic. Dr. LaTonya Nixon, vice president of student services announced the Dallas Herring Achievement nominee, Macy Riffle, the Academic Achievement Award recipient, Chelsie Griffin, and the Robert W. Scott Leadership Award nominee, Nick Peele.

BCCC wishes all the best to the departing students and reminds them that they will always belong here.

View the entire ceremony here.