July 23, 2019

Hinds CC announces speakers for summer graduation ceremony

672 credentials to be conferred to 572 students in summer ceremony
BY: Danny Barrett Jr.

RAYMOND – Summer graduation ceremonies are set for Aug. 2 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus as students earn career or technical certificates and associate degrees from Hinds Community College.

Rosalyn Howard

The college will confer 672 credentials to 572 students in two ceremonies, with many students earning more than one credential. All nursing and allied health graduates will receive their credentials at 10 a.m., with commencement for academic and career-tech graduates to follow at 1:30 p.m.

Speaking to nursing and allied health graduates is Rosalyn Howard, executive director of the Mississippi Nurses Foundation. The group is charged with financially enhancing the programs of the Mississippi Nurses Association through nursing scholarships, fundraising, event planning, grants, and approving continuing education opportunities for nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Howard, of Brandon, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling from Alcorn State University.  She is a member of Leadership of Greater Jackson, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association of Talent Development and the Parent Teacher Organization in Rankin County.

Steve Gaines

She and her husband, Michael, have two daughters, Madison and Lauren.

Speaking to academic and career-tech graduates is Steve Gaines, who represents District 4 on the Rankin County Board of Supervisors.

First elected in 2016, Gaines is a retired former federal law enforcement officer, with the Office of Inspector General. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Mississippi State University and is an alumnus of Clinton High School.

He and his wife, Nita, have three children and four grandchildren and own and operate Gaines Angus Ranch, located in Rankin County.