NEWBERRY — The James Medford Family Event Center at Piedmont Technical College welcomed nearly 300 Piedmont Technical College graduates for two commencement ceremonies to celebrate their accomplishments.
Dr. Ray Brooks, president, welcomed graduates, family and guests to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates.
“We had an afternoon that may have mimicked your educational experiences. There was pretty weather then cloudy weather, thunderstorms and rain,” Brooks said. “But, the rain cleared and the skies cleared, and we’re here to celebrate you and your accomplishments.”
Brooks was followed by the commencement speakers. The afternoon address for health science and nursing graduates were Tiera Boyter, an associate degree nursing major from Hodges; and Megan Long, a radiologic technology graduate from Newberry.
Boyter spoke of her experiences with the other nursing graduates. She emphasized their motto of No Sacrifice, No Reward.
“This group of strangers came together to better our lives and change our lives,” she said. “We found it was not for the weak, but through it all, we stood strong as the soldiers we are. Today, we stand before you proudly as graduates.”
Long shared how she felt like a failure after attending a four-year university in a program field that wasn’t meant for her. Her worry about failure motivated her to become more successful.
“In order to achieve future accomplishments, there will be times when we stumble and almost fail,” she said. “We have to remember that failure is the beginning of success and success achieved after failure is quite an accomplishment.”
Graduates at the evening ceremony for Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, business and information technology, public service, industrial and engineering technologies were addressed by three graduating students – Rossana Cubillan, an Associate in Science major from Greenwood; Pamela Anderson, an early care and education major from Greenwood; and Matthew Gault, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology graduate from Clinton.
Cubillan, a native of Venezuela, spoke on the love and acceptance she found at Piedmont Technical College. She thanked the faculty who helped her make the transition to her life in Greenwood and prepared her to attend Lander University in the fall.
“I was alone, a little scared and not very fluent with the language when I arrived at Piedmont Tech,” she said. “I have bittersweet feelings of leaving Piedmont Technical College, a college where I had the opportunity to be taught by great faculty members who never let my language barrier be a problem.”
Anderson shared her past experiences at Piedmont Tech and the assistance it gave her in her job. She told how she had a secret desire to work with children and encouraged the graduates to follow their dreams just as she had
“To my fellow graduates, I hope you, too, have chosen a field that you have a passion for,” she said. “Be proud of who you are because today you have proven to the world and to yourself that you have what it takes to succeed in life.”
Gault came to Piedmont Tech after unsuccessfully attending a four-year university. He told of his journey and his success at PTC with the hopes of inspiring future students.
“I told you all this tonight not to brag on myself, but so that hopefully some of you who have been waiting to take the next step will use it as a spark to light a fire under you,” he said. “When life gets you down, and it will from time to time, don’t give up.”
Several graduates were recognized for highest academic achievement within their counties of residence.
The winners by their counties of residence and their majors were:
Abbeville: Riann Harrison, mechatronics technology; and Francis Pressly, machine tool technology
Greenwood: Michael Brown, mechatronics technology; Andrew Kang, mechatronics technology; and Brandon Sinclair, Associate in Arts-Honors
Laurens: Dennis Cancel, industrial electronics technology
McCormick: Michael Rhinehart, HVAC
Newberry: Cassandra Jones, general technology-welding; and Megan Long, radiologic technology
Saluda: Michael Crumpton, computer technology; and Debra Shealy, accounting.
Presenting this year’s graduates was Andy Omundson, associate vice president for student affairs. Certificates, diplomas and associate degrees were conferred by Brooks and Dr. Jack Bagwell, vice president for academic affairs, with assistance from board chairman Y. J. Ahn; Dr. Bradley Griggs, dean of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Jerry Alewine, dean of health science; Tara Harris, dean of nursing; Sissy Copeland, dean of business, information technologies and public service; and David Kibler, interim dean of engineering and industrial technologies.
The macebearer was Tracy Wright, faculty senate president. The mace was designed by members of the faculty and staff and presented to the college in 1991 by PTC’s Alumni Association. Music was provided by Emerald City Brass. Pastor Reginald Campbell, senior pastor of House of Reconciliation in Hodges, delivered the invocation and benediction.
Newberry County
Little Mountain: Jenna C. Edgeworth, associate in applied science, major in general business; and Steven Austin Harris, diploma in applied science, major in welding.
Newberry: Tanya Chylene Barnett, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Anishia Lashon Boozer, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, non-invasive; Karen Bradley, associate in applied science, major in radiologic technology; Lane Nicole Branham, associate in applied science, major in criminal justice; Taryl P. Bundrick, certificate in massage therapy; Larissa Marchelle Cannon, certificate in patient care technician; Kimberly Diane Coats, associate in applied science, major in radiologic technology; Julie DeVall Culbertson, associate in applied science, major in respiratory care; Linda Jean Davidson, certificate in patient care technician; Tiffany A. Fritz, diploma in applied science, major in surgical technology; Kianta Garmany, certificate in patient care technician; Keundra Calvalisha Gartman, diploma in applied science, major in pharmacy technology; Takesha M. Goode, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Brandon Nicole Gray, associate in applied science, major in radiologic technology; Brittany Dianne Holden, diploma in applied science, major in pharmacy technology; **Cassandra Marie Jones, associate in applied science, major in general technology, welding concentration; April I. Lamb, diploma in applied science, major in surgical technology; Autumn Frances Lindler, associate in applied science, major in respiratory care; **Megan Alyssa Long, associate in applied science, major in radiologic technology; Beathrie Williams Mayers, certificate in patient care technician; Whitney Taylor McKee, associate in applied science, major in radiologic technology; Jensen Shay Moran, diploma in applied science, major in surgical technology; Tyshay Neundra Robinson, diploma in applied science, major in medical assisting; Krystal Nichole Sanders, associate in applied science, major in respiratory care; Brittney Shamika Tribble, associate in applied science, major in respiratory care; Charesse T. Whitener, associate in applied science major in early care and education; and **Sheryl Wilson, certificate in massage therapy.
Pomaria: Jasmine S. Bates, certificate in patient care technician; and Kayla Fulmer, certificate in photography.
Prosperity: Tiwarna Lanettte Gallman, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Samantha Q. Saverance, certificate in patient care technician.
Silverstreet: Sandra R. Lemay, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration.
Whitmire: *Christopher B. Crumpton, diploma in applied science, major in welding; John H. Gilliam, associate in applied science, major in cardiovascular technology, invasive; Tammy B. Harrison, certificate in patient care technician; and Tiffany Norton, certificate in patient care technician.
*Cum Laude-3.5-3.74
**Magna Cum Laude-3.75-3.99
***Summa Cum Laude-4.0