PEARL – It had been more than 30 years since Angie Wilkinson sat in a college classroom as a student.
“I’d gone to school for computer technology in the late ‘80s but stopped,” said Wilkinson, an administrative assistant at Hinds Community College Vicksburg-Warren Campus.

Angie Wilkinson
She wears many hats in her job, mainly in the office of campus Vice President Marvin Moak. This past semester, however, she got to wear the hat for which she’s been studying a lot lately.
“I got my general studies associate today and I’m working toward another in criminal justice,” Wilkinson said. “My plan is to go into the emergency management field. A lot of my family has been in the business; my father was a police officer and my mother was head nurse at Waterways Experiment Station.”
Wilkinson was among 1,254 graduates who received a total of 1,706 credentials in five spring graduation ceremonies spanning three days. Many graduates received more than one credential.
Of the spring graduates, 260 achieved cum laude, 3.2 to 3.59 grade point average; 197 achieved magna cum laude, 3.6 to 3.99 GPA and 126 achieved summa cum laude, 4.0 grade point average.
Dr. Theresa Hamilton, who is retiring as vice president, was the speaker for three ceremonies on Thursday, May 16.
Hamilton encouraged graduates to look at the person to each side of them and realize they’ve shared their educations with people as talented as they.
“Your paths forward with diverge from this point, she said. “If we are lucky, we have about 30,000 days in this life and comparing yourself to other people’s success will only slow you down. Take risks, it will be worth it. You will fail at some point, but get over it. Rock bottom can be a solid foundation on which to build your life.”
Hinds President Dr. Clyde Muse told graduates and their families that “the power of education is that it drives our vision for a better life. And, while the graduates who sit upon this stage today represent a diverse set of circumstances, they are connected by their belief that a community college education is a step up to a broader opportunity to build a better life and to contribute to the communities we live in.”
As Mississippi’s largest community college, 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. With six locations in central Mississippi, Hinds enrolls nearly 12,000 credit students each fall semester. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.
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Brandi Ashley, of Yazoo City, adjusts her cap before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Ashley earned an Associate in Arts degree in General Studies and graduated summa cum laude. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Madison Curtis, left, and Nadia Tompkins,was among those earning credentials from Hinds Community College during ceremonies held May 16. Both earned Associate in Arts degrees. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Dr. Theresa Hamilton, vice president for Hinds Community College Raymond Campus and Nursing Allied Health Center, receives credentials to hand to graduates during graduation ceremonies May 16 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Alex Jones, left, of Ridgeland, and friend Michow Xie, enjoy a moment before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Jones earned an Associate in Arts degree and was among honor graduates. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Katherine Jones, of Jackson, receives her name card for graduation upon arriving at the Muse Center at Hinds Community College Rankin Campus May 16. Jones earned an Associate in Arts degree in general studies and plans to study dental assisting. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Mari Lampkin, left, of Moorhead, enjoys a moment with Nita Burchfield, business technology instructor at Hinds Community College, following graduation ceremonies May 16. Lampkin earned an Associate in Arts degree in marketing and plans to attend Mississippi State University. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Destiny Little, foreground, of Madison, waves to friends and family before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Little earned an Associate in Arts degree and plans to study psychology. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Shamiya Logan, of Bolton, seated, has her hair brushed by Jovonna Parker before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Logan earned an Associate in Arts degree and plans to study nursing. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Kadia Love, left, of Ridgeland, enjoys the moment with his mother, Shahunda Love, following graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Love earned an Associate in Arts degree and plans to study psychology. (HInds Community College/April Garon)
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SeDria McKinley, left, of Vicksburg, gets a hug from friend Tera Thompson, of Port Gibson, following graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. McKinley earned an Associate in Arts degree and plans to study civil engineering. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Matassa Mitchell, left, of Lexington, has her collar and robe adjusted before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Mitchell earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Medical Data Technology. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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From left, Vicksburg-Warren Campus Vice President Marvin Moak, Hinds President Dr. Clyde Muse, Angie Wilkinson, Dr. Elmira Ratliff, dean for Post-Secondary Education at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus
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La’chayla Neal, left, and Jasmyne Mallard, right, both of Jackson, help adjust each’s caps before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Shaundarius Nelson, left, of Vicksburg, enjoys the moment with his mother, Janet Curtis, following graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Nelson earned a career certificate during ceremonies. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Jonathan Poe, left, and Tyler McMain, both of Brandon, earend credentials during graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Poe earned an Associate in Applied Science in Animation and Simulation Technology. McMain earned and Associate in Arts in general studies. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Russell Scholz, of Brandon, was among those earning credentials from Hinds Community College during ceremonies held May 16. Scholz earned his high school diploma from Brandon High School on May 13, then earned an Associate in Arts degree from Hinds May 16. He plans to attend the University of Mississippi. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Jennifer Todd, of Flowood, enjoys a moment following graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Todd, a circulation librarian at the Hinds Raymond Campus, earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Computer Network Technology. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Stephnique Washington, of Jackson, puts on her cap before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Washington earned an Associate in Applied Science in marketing management. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Carson Weaver, of Terry, jots down some notes before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Weaver earned an Associate in Applied Science Agribusiness Management Technology. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)
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Tyler Wines, left, and his sister Autumn Wines, both of Vicksburg, enjoy a few moments before graduation ceremonies May 16 at Hinds Community College. Tyler earned a career certificate in Engineering Drafting and Design Technology. Autumn earned an Associate in Arts degree in Culinary Arts Technology. (Hinds Community College/April Garon)