PEARL – Marcus Truss of Jackson had a career as an airline pilot, living in various parts of the country. Four years ago he landed in Mississippi and teaches the drone program at Hinds Community College.
On May 15 he also became a Hinds graduate with a degree in Aviation Technology. “I started off just taking classes,” said Truss, 55. “It’s been a great adventure.
Destiny Young of Raymond, left, was the speaker for the 2 p.m. May 15 graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College. D’Jaydyn Readus of Bolton, right, offered the invocation and benediction. They are with Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik.
Hinds awarded 1,213 credentials to 899 graduates in four ceremonies held over three days, which means many graduates earned more than one credential. Among the graduates, 437 graduated with honors, including 220 cum laude, 3.2 – 3.59 GPA out of 4.0; 154 magna cum laude, 3.60 – 3.99 GPA and 63 summa cum laude, with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
The speakers for the May 15 2 p.m. ceremony were students receiving degrees who have shown leadership and excellence in their fields of study and were selected by their instructors and peers.
D’Jaydyn Readus of Bolton offered the invocation and benediction for the 2 p.m. May 15 graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College.
D’Jaydyn Readus, 20, of Bolton, gave the invocation and benediction. Readus attended the Raymond Campus, where he was the 44th president of Hinds’ Student Government Association. He will attend Jackson State University in the fall.
Destiny Young of Raymond was the speaker for the 2 p.m. May 15 graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College.
The graduation speaker was Destiny Young, 20, of Raymond. She attended the Raymond Campus where she was involved in the Student Government Association and was named Homecoming Queen. She will attend the University of Southern Mississippi to purse a bachelor’s degree in business.
Young told fellow graduates she wasn’t involved on campus at all her first semester – she just went to class and went home. She thought Hinds was boring, she said.
She worked on campus her second semester and, at the urging of a persistent campus dean, she got involved in multiple Hinds organizations. She was an orientation leader, an RA, joined the SGA and was crowned homecoming queen.
Jordan “Jay” Morgan of Clinton finished up his associate degree in Music Industry and Recording and is headed to Mississippi College for a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Shown with him on stage is Hinds employee Loretta Sutton, who works in Disability Support Services.
“Before I knew it, I was becoming one of the student leaders I used to look up to. I was gaining the confidence I once lacked and, more importantly, I was finding my voice.”
She made Hinds her home.
“Our time at Hinds has officially come to an end-but our lives are just beginning. And just like Hinds, life is what we make it. No matter where we go from here, it’s up to us to create meaning and value in our journey,” Young said.
Joann Varnell, 59, of Jackson received a credential in Logistics Technology from Hinds Community College on May 15. She plans to return “and get more education.”
Jordan “Jay” Morgan of Clinton finished up his associate degree in Music Industry and Recording and is headed to Mississippi College for a bachelor’s degree in Music Education.
Whitney Southam of Flowood, left, and Destiny Lloyd of Lena greeted each other before the May 15 graduation ceremony at Hinds Community College. They were theatre students in the Lendon Players on the Raymond Campus. Southam is still mulling over her next step but Lloyd is heading to the University of Southern Mississippi.
Rankin County resident Breanna Lenard graduated from Hinds Community College on May 15. She plans to major in elementary education at Mississippi State University. She is with Vice President Matt Jones, who was the name-caller for the May 15 ceremonies.
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With six campuses in central Mississippi, Hinds Community College is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with academic programs of study leading to seamless university transfer and career and technical programs teaching job-ready skills.
Our Mission: Hinds Community College is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.
Our Vision: Hinds Community College will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.
Our Values: Hinds Community College aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.
To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.