More than 300 students will be honored in commencement ceremonies Friday evening as degrees and certificates are presented in recognition of completion of coursework at Jefferson Davis Community College.
Dr. Daniel Bain, JDCC president, said the ceremony that begins at 6 p.m. is held to honor the dedication and hard work of the students.
“We are very excited for our students who will be graduating,” Bain said. “I know this is a proud moment for each individual who is realizing their goals.”
Bain said an added honor for Friday’s ceremonies will include a keynote address from Dr. Mark Heinrick, chancellor of the Alabama Community College System.
“We are especially happy to have Dr. Heinrick speaking at the graduation ceremony,” Bain said. “He is an educator and the former president of Shelton State. He seemed to be touched that we would ask him to be here.”
Heinrick will address graduates and guests as students are presented degrees and certificates from practically every area of study offered at JDCC, Bain said.
Bain said excitement among students and faculty has been building in the weeks preceding the graduation event.
“Excitement has really been building,” Bain said. “The gowns have been ordered and students are really excited. Many of those students who will be honored Friday night will be leaving the area and going on to other schools or back to their homes or maybe on to a new city to begin a career. This could be the last time they are on our campus for any good amount of time. We have formed relationships with these students and we hope they won’t be a stranger to JD. We have had many former students come back to JD to be a part of our staff. There is always a chance to be a part of JD.”
Ceremonies will be held in the Woodfin-Patterson Auditorium on the JDCC campus beginning at 6 p.m.
Ten students will be receiving an associate of arts degree; 61 will receive an associate of science degree; 77 will received an associate of applied sciences degree; 27 students will receive certificate of completions, 93 students will receive GED certificates/diplomas with 59 certificates awarded to students of JDCCs education centers.