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May 12, 2022 – Davidson-Davie Community College today celebrated the accomplishments of 1,178 graduates who earned a collective total of 1,714 credentials – including 629 associate degrees, 191 diplomas, and 848 certificates. Forty-six high school students got a head start on college by pursuing transfer pathways through the Career & College Promise program.
Today’s commencement marked the college’s return to a traditional, in-person graduation day after COVID-19 forced a virtual ceremony in 2020 and a drive-through event in 2021. Those wanting to watch from home could still do so at DavidsonDavie.edu/graduation.
“Circumstances over the past 26 months have challenged our faculty and staff to find new, innovative ways to support student success and deliver instruction,” said Dr. Darrin Hartness, president of the college. “Today, together, we are stronger.”
Joshua Barker, president of the student government association, told graduates about being a troublemaker in high school and then being startled to discover that his former high school principal is now an administrator at Davidson-Davie – but that his former principal held no grudges and only wanted the best for him. “This was the very moment when I realized that our past does not define our future,” Barker shared. “No matter where you are on life’s road, you can always change.” With his Davidson-Davie credits in hand, Barker heads to UNC-Chapel Hill in August to pursue a degree in finance.
Kevin Firquin, chair of the college board of trustees, encouraged graduates to remember that being trustworthy and respectful of others, as well as observing the highest ethics both inside and outside the workplace, would serve them well. “On behalf of the entire board of trustees,” he added, “Congratulations, Class of 2022!”
Student awards announced during graduation included the Academic Excellence Award, a state-level honor that went to graduate Audrey Glancey, who earned her associate in arts degree. Graduation scholarships were awarded to Katelynn Innes Mitchell for the Robert Bruce Smith, Jr. Student Success Scholarship; Sarah Brown for the Applied Sciences/Skilled Trades Student Achievement Scholarship; Aryn Gumpert for the Applied Sciences/Skilled Trades Student Achievement Scholarship; Carla Hairston for the Eloise S. Bates Memorial Achievement Scholarship; Erick Contreras for the Betty G. Bunce Memorial Achievement Scholarship; Renee Ultes Hines for the Mountcastle Insurance Student Success Scholarship; Sheila White for the Paula Mathews Turlington Student Success Scholarship; and James Love for the Mary E. Rittling Student Success Scholarship.
Davidson-Davie Community College (www.DavidsonDavie.edu), which incorporated Davie County into its name in 2021, is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, Davidson-Davie offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to four-year schools. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, Davidson-Davie is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields.