Hopkinsville Community College (HCC) held two commencement ceremonies Friday afternoon, to celebrate and honor the hard work and dedication of their spring 2024 graduating class.
HCC President Alissa Young says at Friday’s ceremonies 724 credentials were given out including associate degrees, diplomas and certificates marking a record number of credentials being awarded during a semester.
Along with celebrating the graduates, Young also spotlighted the families and friends that provided support to graduates while they were on their educational paths.
HCC Student Government Association President, Abigail Love took to the podium following Young and shared that she reflected on her experience as a student before addressing the spring graduates. Love says her academic journey at HCC required her to be courageous.
Without courage, Love says she could not imagine herself speaking in front of the audience or coming as a far as she has in her education.
HCC Faculty Board Member and Chemistry Professor, Melissa Dougherty also addressed the graduates and compared HCC to a cell’s nucleus saying the college is at the center of graduate’s education. Doughtery says wherever graduates go after receiving their credentials HCC faculty and staff will still be there for them.
HCC Chief Academic Affairs Officer Chris Boyett recognized some of the graduates’ achievements and awards. One of the awards was the 2024 Spirit Cup Award. Boyett says the award winner should be actively involved in the community, display leadership skills and excel academically.
Boyett announced Jada Poindexter as this year’s Spirit Cup Award recipient and shared that she was nominated by multiple HCC faculty and staff members.
After Poindexter was recognized, commencement began and students were announced as graduates.