Taking the next step after college

Graduates release butterflies in celebration of the completion of their degrees after commencement on Friday.

MURPHY - Tri-County Community College (TCCC) awarded degrees, certificatesand diplomas to graduating students during commencement exercises on Friday, May 9 on the college's main campus in Peachtree.

Larry Kernea, Chair of the TCCC Board of Trustees, and Dr. Donna Tipton-Rogers, TCCC President, welcomed graduates and guests.

"Graduation is an exciting time," said Dr. Tipton-Rogers. "It is one of the most important times in your life and we are excited that you are here tonight, in the center of Tri-County's campus, to celebrate this step in your lives."

Hayden Rogers, Chief of Staff for Rep. Heath Shuler, presented Dr. Tipton-Rogers with a United States flagthat has flown over the U.S. Capitol.

During the commencement address, Roger Carpenter, the Tennessee Valley Authority's General Manager of Customer Service for the Southeast, spoke to graduates about change, priorities, and the values needed for a successful life.

He charged graduates always to be aware of their priorities in life. "We never know how our priorities and values affect others," he said.

Degrees were presented by Linda Lovingood, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Tipton-Rogers. Along with their diplomas, graduates received a letter of congratulations and encouragement from Dr. Tipton- Rogers.

Music during the ceremony was provided by the Andrews High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Chad Higdon. The Jazz Band is Eli Barnard, Corey Barnum, Ashley Boykin, Andy Collins, Adam Hardin, Alex Hardin, Cameron LeJeune, Josh Moore, Mandy Reese, Abby Sanders, Lindsey Simmons, Colton Stewart, Katie Truett, and Katlyn Williams.

Several awards and honors recognitions also took place during the ceremony.

Madeline Marie Rizzo received the Special Achievement Award, which is chosen by faculty members to honor students who have overcome challenges and persevered throughout their academic journey.

Two faculty members were honored with Excellence in Teaching awards based a vote of their peers.

Irwin Krandle received the Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award. Krandle started in the classroom fiveyears ago as a guest speaker then was asked to teach a class. Since then, he has continued to enlighten students and make a difference in their lives. He receives rave reviews from students as they enjoy his approach to teaching a difficultsubject.

Pauline Ledford received the award for Full- Time Excellence in Teaching Award. In the nine years she has worked at TCCC, cosmetology students have had exceptional pass rates on the state boards. He students give her high marks on evaluations as she is constantly looking for ways to improve their educational experiences. Fellow employees think she is a great person with whom to work. She is always willing to take on new challenges and she has started a new program each of the last two years with Esthetics in 2006 and Manicure and Nail Technology in 2007. For 2008, she has developed a plan to begin offering classes to high school students.

Linda Lovingood also honored retiring computer information instructor Larry Huls.

Graduates were recognized for their partici- pation in honors associations and activities organizations.

Linda Lovingood recognized the Student Government Association officers, who were elected by the student body and dedicate themselves to making many campus events possible.

Kathy Rathbone recognized the student volunteer organization, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). SIFE students apply their classroom experiences to develop and implement educational outreach programs that teach individuals in their communities the principles of market economics, entrepreneurship, personal financial success skills, and business ethics.

Diania McRae recognized the Accounting Club, a scholastic and professional club which works toward enhancing professionalism, increasing knowledge of the accounting profession, providing career growth and networking opportunities, and facilitating studentfaculty practitioner interaction.

Trevis Hicks recognized members of Alpha Beta Gamma, an honor society in which the students have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and are graduating from either Accounting, Business Administration, Healthcare Management, Information Systems Technology, Medical Assisting, or OfficeSystems Technology.

Ronnie Whitener and Joan Ledford recognized members of the National Technical Honor Society, which includes students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and are graduating from a vocational or technical program.

Cindy Gaddis recognized members of Phi Theta Kappa, which is the International Honor Society for two-year colleges. These students have earned an overall GPA of at least 3.75.

Linda Lovingood recognized students graduating with Academic Honors, which means they have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above in the pursuit of their respective degrees, diplomas, or certificates.

The Tri-County Community College Class of 2008 completing degrees in May are listed below. Some students participating in the commencement exercises will be completing degrees in July.

The following students earned Associate in Applied Science degrees in these programs of study:

Accounting: Tamitha Leigh Hunsucker, Pamela H. Morrow , Tiffany Dawn Phillips

Automotive Systems Technology: Joseph Edward Sims, Zachary Madison Smith

Business Administration: Shereen M. Bates, Donna Louise Bauer, Michelle L. Burrell, Amanda Renee Cable, Kenneth Leon Ennis, Amanda Ann Hamby, Pamela H. Morrow, Carlotta Jane Palmer, Nicole Louise Parks, Emily Ann Silknitter, Alicia Dawn Tanner, Erica Lea Tanner, Shawn Christopher Turpin

Computer Information Technology: Kevin Charles Baker, Robin Junette Swartz

Criminal Justice Technology: Tashena Maria Peels, Lisa Kaye Thrower, James Gerald West

Early Childhood Education Special Education: Debbie Ann Hawkins

Early Childhood Teacher Associate: Julia Ann Aldridge, Elizabeth Hope Wilson

Electrical/Electronics Technology: Joshua Gerald Burrell, Cody Cheyenne Haney

General Occupational Technology: Dena M. Mc- Coy, Patricia Diane Milam, James Robert White

Healthcare Management: Tonia Deanne Dobbs, Deanna Lavonne Hall, Linda Michelle Payne

Medical Assisting: Mallory Brook Jenkins, Carolee Rice

Nursing: Tina Carswell Anderson, Maryann W. Brannan, Kimberly Carol Collins, Tracie Robin Cowart, David Randall Forbess, Rhonda Orr Lane, Suzan Kay Ledford, Karen Adriane Loyd, Amanda Josephine McDaniel , Kathleen Elizabeth Moore, Joni D. Moss, Carolyn Donna Sabine, Kelley Veronica Sherlin

OfficeSystems Technology: Janie Ledford Graper, Carla Beth Horton, Jeri Rae Humphreys, Margaret Teresa McCrosson, April K. Pascia, Trista Leanne Sneed

The following students earned Associate in Arts degrees.

Cathryn Kristen Berryman, Lillian Grace Blomeley, Robert Daniel Cable, Katherine Rochelle Dooly, Shelly Christina Evans, Stephanie Queen Goodpaster, Tammy Eldena Grindstaff, Lydia Ann Hall, Wesley Eugene Holland, Jr., Autumn Swanson Jenkins, Christopher Allan Jestis, Brian Scott Laney, Elizabeth Marie Leeper, Anna Ayers Lewis, Chasity Shea Long, Peter Joseph Macaluso III, Christi A. Manser, Monica Leigh Mintz, Marcus Anton Moose, Daniel E. Moss, Jessica Lynn Nehr, Rebecca J. Palmer, Brandy Elizabeth Phillips, Tammy C. Rhyne, Madeline Marie Rizzo, Allison Orr Rogers, Ramona Dawn Sosebee, Lydia Leann Wade, Leslie Diane Wilcox, Morgan A. Williams

The following students earned Associate in Science degrees.

Wesley Eugene Holland, Jr., Ashley Marie Payne, Joshua David Rogers

The following students earned Diplomas.

Business Administration: April Cagle Spurling

College Transfer: Debbie Ann Hawkins, Hillary Lauren Webster

Electrical/Electronics Technology: Joshua Gerald Burrell

Welding Technology: Adam Scott Allison

The following students earned Certificates.

Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration: Clyde Harold Wade

Cosmetology Instructor: Connie Gibson Hedden

These students are on track to complete degrees during the Summer semester.

The following students will earn Associate in Applied Science degrees in these programs of study:

Accounting: Kenneth Leon Ennis

Automotive Systems Technology: Chadd Liegh Walker

Business Administration: Phillip Lance Collins, Jodi Nicole Hall, Monaka Bird Wachacha

Criminal Justice Technology: Courtney Lee Carpenter, Brittany Autumn Hyde

Early Childhood Education: Amber M. Queen

Healthcare Management: Mary Beth Maney, Carolyn J. Moss, Peggy Jo Reuter, Angela Lee Schultze

Medical Assisting: Hope Marie Garrett

Nursing: Brandi Campbell Hooper, Jeannette Leah Rogers, Rebecca Shawn Turpin, Lacy Wilson Webster, Rebecca Orr Worrell

The following students will earn Associate in Arts degrees:

Daniel Barret Ledford, Ashley Brooke Slaughter

The following students will earn a Diploma.

College Transfer: Alisha Michele Chastain, Dorcas S. Phillips

Welding Technology: Michael Griffin Eddings.