Amber Solis Taylor, 22, and Linda Poss Morrow, 61, both of Pearl, are inviting the same family members to their May 15 graduation ceremony on the Hinds Community College Raymond Campus. Amber won't have to invite her Grandmother Morrow because the two of them are marching in the same line in Cain-Cochran Hall's auditorium that day.

Taylor, who graduated from Pearl High School in 2005, will be receiving her associate degree in medical office technology (MOT), while her grandmother, whom she calls Nana, will receive her degree in computer science. Both attend the Hinds Rankin Campus.

Morrow, a safety investigator with the federal Department of Transportation, began her college education in 1992 on the Raymond Campus. After receiving a job promotion that required traveling, she put her education on hold. 

In fall 2005, Taylor enrolled in the nursing program at Holmes Community College in Ridgeland.  A year later, she married her high school sweetheart, Ryan Taylor; and when their first child, Reed, was born in January 2008, she became a full-time homemaker and stay-at-home mother. 

During this period she changed her major to medical office technology (MOT) and took classes on-line and at night. When ready to return to school full time she enrolled in the Hinds Rankin Campus MOT program. That's when Morrow decided to return to school, as well.

The Rankin Campus is close to home for both women, something that both are happy about.
   
"It is under five minutes away and so convenient," Taylor said. "Nana and I had speech class together in the summer of 2006 and it was so much fun. We practiced our speeches together before class. She has been a true inspiration and very helpful in all aspects."

Taylor took a detour on her way to a nursing career, but she's still heading in that direction.

"I am on the waiting list for the Rankin Campus practical nursing program," she said. "I want to finish that year of PN and then go one more year in the bridge to RN program. Meanwhile I want to get a job using my associate's degree in medical office technology."

Taylor said her first goal as an RN is to work in labor and delivery.

"And then, who knows? I love school and may decide to go further!" 

A love of school runs in the family as Morrow, a Phi Theta Kappa member who will graduate with honors, said she has no plans to use her degree in her career.

"I just always said that when my 'Li'l Angel' started back in school, that I would go back and graduate with her," Morrow said.

----------

Hinds Community College will hold four graduation ceremonies in May with prominent Mississippians delivering addresses.

The Raymond Campus will host graduates from the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health and Academic/Technical centers, and the Vicksburg-Warren, Rankin and Raymond campuses in three ceremonies Friday, May 15 in Cain-Cochran Hall's Hogg Auditorium. The Utica Campus will hold its commencement Sunday, May 17 at 2 p.m. in J. D. Boyd Gymnasium.

Hinds alumnus Joe Pinion, CEO at Central Mississippi Medical Center, will speak to nursing and allied health graduates at 8:30 a.m. in Hogg Auditorium.

The speaker for ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. (students whose last names begin with A-L) and 2:30 p.m. (students whose last names begin with M-Z) will be Dr. Mark Keenum, who became Mississippi State University's 19th president Jan. 5 following a distinguished public service career.

Utica Campus graduates will hear commencement speaker Dr. Lonnie J. Edwards Sr., superintendent of the Jackson school district.