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Graduation Speaker: Ӱ ‘Perfect’ Decision

by | May 15, 2024 | Graduation, News, Utica Campus

UTICA—At the May 10 graduation ceremony on the Utica Campus, basketball player and student graduation speaker Tra’Shayla Wilson said coming to Ӱ was the right choice for her and her classmates

“Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Fortunately for me and my classmates, we made the perfect one: Ӱ,” said Wilson, 19. “Ӱ is our home away from home, and we are always encouraged to be ourselves and never to dim our light. 

Tra’Shayla Wilson of Lake was the speaker for the May 10 Ӱ graduation ceremony on the Utica Campus. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
Tra’Shayla Wilson of Lake, left, was the speaker for the May 10 Ӱ graduation ceremony on the Utica Campus, while Nyelah Dobbey of Jacksonville, Fla., right, said the invocation. They are with Ӱ President Dr. Stephen Vacik. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)

“Even on your worst day, there is always someone who wants to encourage you to be your best. Because here at Ӱ, we are family, and that is what family is all about. True, we are not related, but I’ve always been told that family may take many shapes. Our experience at this college has been nothing short of spectacular,” said Wilson, who earned an associate degree and is transferring to Belhaven University, where she will continue academic studies and her basketball career.

Ӱ awarded 1,270 credentials to 972 graduates in four ceremonies held over three days, which means many graduates earned more than one credential. Among the graduates, 448 graduated with honors, including 260 cum laude, 3.2–3.59 GPA out of 4.0; 152 magna cum laude, 3.60–3.99 GPA; and 36 summa cum laude, with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

The speakers for each ceremony were students receiving degrees who have shown leadership and excellence in their fields of study and were selected by their instructors and peers.

Nyelah Dobbey, 20, of Jacksonville, Fla., said the invocation and benediction. She earned an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management Technology and plans to transfer to Mississippi College to pursue her MBA.

The Golden Class featuring Utica graduates from 1974 were honored as part of the graduation ceremony held in the Boyd Gym on the Utica Campus.

Nyelah Dobbey of Jacksonville, Fla., said the invocation and benediction at the May 10 Ӱ graduation on the Utica Campus. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
Jazzmin Ross of Vicksburg, from left, Janesha Bailey of Vicksburg and Kasheuna Minor of Crystal Springs chill out before their May 10 Ӱ graduation ceremony on the Utica Campus. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
Mareco Baldwin of Canton, standing, checks into the May 10 Ӱ graduation ceremony on the Utica Campus. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
Icelyn Dampeer of New Hebron, left, and Deborah Pierce of Canton, right, prepare for the May 10 Ӱ graduation ceremony on the Utica Campus. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
Taniah Parker of Brandon gets a little help from Ӱ employee Arlisious Nettles before the May 10 Ӱ graduation ceremony on the Utica Campus. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
Participating in the annual Bell Tower ceremony before the Ӱ Utica Campus graduation on May 10 were, from left, K’Cy Jones of Canton, Taniah Parker of Brandon, Mya Kennedy of Jackson and Atlantis Funches of Brandon. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
Maya McFadden of Jackson studied Radio & Television at Ӱ’s Utica Campus. She graduated on May 10 and plans to attend Belhaven University where she received the fifth annual Angie Thomas Writers Scholarship, which will pay for her tuition and room and board. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
The Utica Golden Class of 1974 was honored at the May 10 Ӱ Utica Campus graduation ceremony. The group gave $1,700 to the Ӱ Foundation to fund a Utica Campus scholarship. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
Utica Ward 3 Alderman Ella Green was among the members of the Utica Golden Class of 1974 honored at the May 10 Ӱ Utica Campus graduation ceremony. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)
John Welch of Crystal Springs was among the members of the Utica Golden Class of 1974 honored at the May 10 Ӱ Utica Campus graduation ceremony. “I was able to take welding classes, and I made a career of it. By doing so, I was able to put all five of my children through college,” he said. (Ӱ/Brad Smith)

About Ӱ

Ӱ offers affordable, comprehensive educational opportunities across six campus locations and has nearly 500 academic classes guaranteed to transfer to a university, over 65 career and technical program options and an extensive array of online courses. Applications for general admissions are currently being accepted. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and explore enrollment steps at hindscc.edu/enroll.

Our Mission: Ӱ is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession. 

Our Vision: Ӱ will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi. 

Our Values: Ӱ aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.

To learn more, visit  or call 1.800.ӰCC.