Sarah Jane Miller of Clinton is part of a trend at Hinds Community College: More students are taking advantage of fall graduation ceremonies held each December, leading to an additional ceremony. 

Of the 618 graduating, 507 have chosen to participate in one of the four ceremonies on Dec. 17-18. The overall number graduating is up 35 percent from last December. The number of students participating in the fall ceremonies is up 42 percent, said Ginger Turner, registrar and director of Admissions and Records. 

“We view graduation as the culmination of every student’s perseverance and dedication,” Turner said.  “We welcome as many family and friends as are able to join us for this celebration. Therefore, our need for a fourth graduation ceremony appears to be permanent.” 

In the past, Hinds had three ceremonies in one day. Because of the steadily increasing numbers participating, Hinds, for the first time, has added a fourth ceremony in order to accommodate friends and family members who want to see their loved ones graduate. The four ceremonies are now spread over two days.

 “The value of a college degree is particularly relevant to students and employers in these tough economic times,” said Clyde Muse, president of Hinds Community College. “We’re very pleased to see this increase in graduates leaving our college with a certificate or degree credential.” 

Each semester, a number of students would earn the credits to qualify for a degree, but didn’t apply for graduation because their intent was to transfer to a senior institution or because the graduation application fee was a barrier, Turner said. 

Hinds eliminated the fee for graduation beginning with the August 2009 ceremonies, and faculty and staff increased efforts to encourage students to apply for graduation. 

Miller, 19, graduates Friday with an associate’s degree in political science and will transfer to the University of Mississippi for the spring semester. She believes having the degree on her resume gives her more credibility than simply transferring. 

“That would give them another reason to know I was serious about my education and would have that foundation,” she said.

Next fall she will have a Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarship of several thousand dollars, something she would not have had without her time at Hinds. “I don’t know if going to a university would have been as possible,” she said. “It has given me so many opportunities to get extra scholarship money that wouldn’t have been possible without going to a community college.” 

Another plus: Small classes where teachers knew her. “Teachers know me personally and check on me when they think something is wrong. It’s been great having personalized interaction,” she said. 

Graduation is in Hogg Auditorium in Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus. 

On Dec. 17, at 1 p.m., graduates of all district associate degree nursing and practical nursing programs and at 4 p.m., graduates of all district allied health programs will hear James G. Chastain, director of Mississippi State Hospital. 

On Dec. 18, all other district graduates will hear Sharon Feaster, biology department instructor and chairwoman, and Debbie McCollum, English instructor and associate director for Honors and Leadership Studies. 

 Feaster will speak at the 11 a.m. ceremony (for graduates whose last names begin with A-L) and McCollum will speak at 2 p.m. (for graduates whose last names begin with M-Z).