Hinds Community College’s Utica Campus graduated about 125 students on Saturday, May 18.
The morning started with a bell-ringing ceremony at the iconic Utica Campus belltower and a processional into J.D. Boyd Gymnasium led by Utica Campus faculty and alumni.
This year’s ceremony also honored the Golden Class of Hinds Agricultural High School alumni from 1969 who celebrated their 50-year reunion.
The speaker for the graduation ceremony was former Secretary of Agriculture and Congressman Mike Espy, who spoke along the themes of courage, commitment and control.
“Learning is a lifelong activity. When you have that knowledge, no one can ever take it away from you,” he said. “You should consider your degree your sword as well as your shield … You are equipped with the best knowledge this great college can offer.”
Throughout five different ceremonies spanning three days, Hinds awarded a total of 1,706 credentials to 1,254 graduates, with some graduates receiving more than one credential. At the Utica Campus, 125 graduates were awarded 162 credentials.
Of the spring Hinds Community College 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. At the Utica Campus, 19 graduates achieved cum laude, 14 achieved magna cum laude and three achieved summa cum laude.
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 about 12,000 students each fall semester. To learn more, visit www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.HindsCC.
Photo-01-Utica-grad-May-18_7087-683×1024
Jimmy LeOrien Jones of Edwards points out the mortarboard of classmate Autumn Simmons of Hermanville. The two graduated on May 18 at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-02-Utica-grad-May-18_708_7089-1024×683
Students who were a part of the Utica Campus STEM program and graduated from Hinds Community College on May 18 include, from left, Ny’Daisha Dortch of Canton, Autumn Simmons of Hermanville, Stori Jones of Byram, Hezekiah Williams of Edwards, Jimmy Jones of Edwards, Frederick Jackson of Hazlehurst, Jasmine Meeks of Canton with Dr. Anna McClinton, STEM coordinator and Jonathan Townes, assistant director for Sponsored Grants. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-03-Utica-grad-May-18_708_7107-1024×683
Adria Lewis of Natchez announced her “psychopath” major on her mortarboard at the May 18 graduation at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. She listens as Hinds officials give last-minute instructions before the procession to Boyd Gym. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-04-Utica-grad-May-18_708_7111-1024×683
Receiving the first Tom Joyner Scholarships were, from left, Qualyne Fuller of Hazlehurst, Talasha Moore of Hazlehurst and Laquinka Tillman of Crystal Springs. They graduated May 18 from the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-05-Utica-grad-May-18_708_7113-1024×683
Sporting their thoughts on graduation day are, from left, Reneisha Sweet of Edwards, Kamryn Dismuke of Jackson and Kambrial Love of Terry. They graduated on May 18 at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-06-Utica-grad-May-18_7087129-683×1024
The next stop for future orthodontist Nyaja Johnson of Clinton is the biology department at Jackson State University. He graduated from the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College on May 18. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-07-Utica-grad-May-18_708_7152-683×1024
Retiree Loretta Gandy was the macebearer/grand marshal for the May 18 graduation ceremony at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-08-Utica-grad-May-18_7223-1024×683
Hinds Community College employee Denise Brinston Williams, left, and her daughter Shenice Brinston, both of Utica, received their Associate of Arts degrees at the graduation ceremony on May 18 at the Utica Campus. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-10-Utica-grad-May-18_708_7431-1024×683
About 125 graduates received their diplomas the May 18 ceremony at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-11-Utica-grad-May-18_7087384-1024×683
Vice President Dr. Tyrone Jackson, Hinds Community College President Dr. Clyde Muse and graduation speaker Mike Espy prepare to process to the stage at the May 18 ceremony at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-12-Utica-grad-May-18_708_5284-1024×683
Hinds Community College President Dr. Clyde Muse prepares to speak to the graduates at the May 18 graduation ceremony at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-13-Utica-grad-May-18_708_5404-1024×819
Attorney Mike Espy, who is former Secretary of Agriculture and U.S. representative, was the speaker for the May 18 graduation ceremony at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-14-Utica-grad-May-18_708_7508-1024×683
Attorney Mike Espy, who is former Secretary of Agriculture and U.S. representative, was the speaker for the May 18 graduation ceremony at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-15-Utica-grad-May-187480-1024×683
The Hinds Agricultural High School “Golden” Class of 1969 received special recognition at the May 18 graduation ceremony for the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. Pictured is Dr. Linda Killingsworth Laws of Utica with Vice President Dr. Tyrone Jackson. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-16-Utica-grad-May-18_5327-1024×683
Kimberly Young of Hattiesburg is among the crowd of graduates at the May 18 graduation ceremony at the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-17-Utica-grad-May-18_7532-1024×683
Gilda Williams of Vicksburg graduated on May 18 from the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College with a degree in clothing and fashion design. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)
Photo-18-Utica-grad-May-18_7536-1024×683
Tevin Sylvester of Vicksburg is congratulated by Audree Street at the May 18 graduation ceremony for the Utica Campus of Hinds Community College. (Tammi Bowles/Hinds Community College)