RAYMOND – At age 40, Kenneth Tisdale achieved his dream of earning an Associate Degree in Nursing at one of four graduation ceremonies at Ӱ on Dec. 11.
Kenneth Tisdale, 40, of Jackson graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. (Ӱ/Angie Foote)
Tisdale was a teacher for 11 years before deciding on a major career switch, first earning a Practical Nursing degree then enrolling in Ӱ’ Transition to RN program
“I love it. I’m very happy with the change I made,” said Tisdale of Jackson, who works at Methodist Specialty Care Center for patients with life-altering issues.
Navigating the Transition program was easier for Tisdale after he completed the Practical Nursing program. “I knew what to expect,” he said.
Ӱ is holding four fall graduation ceremonies at Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus, including at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12.
Paula Bailey, 56, of Ridgeland graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She is with her friend Bill Jackson.
Like Tisdale, Paula Bailey, 56, of Ridgeland plans to stay where she is now working, Accent Care Home Health, just with a higher credential. She also earned an Associate Degree in Nursing.
“I really like where I’m working, and I’m going to stay. I just wanted to finish my degree,” she said. “I think the (Ӱ) instructors are great. Joetta Chandlee (Dean of Nursing) convinced me to come back at my age, and I’m happy she did. It was a great learning experience and a great clinical experience.”
Ӱ is awarding 966 degrees and 637 certificates, which means many graduates are earning more than one credential. Among the graduates, 233 are graduating with honors including 136 cum laude, or 3.2 to 3.59 grade point average; 75 magna cum laude, or 3.6-3.99 GPA and 22 summa cum laude, a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Mason Norman of Madison, left, offered the invocation at the Health Sciences graduation ceremony at Ӱ on Dec. 11. Felicity Delgado of Vicksburg, right, spoke on behalf of classmates while Audriana Williams of Vicksburg offered the benediction. They are with Ӱ President Dr. Stephen Vacik.
At the 10 a.m. Wednesday ceremony for Nursing and Allied Health graduates, Mason Norman of Madison offered the invocation; Felicity Delgado of Vicksburg spoke on behalf of classmates and Audriana Williams of Vicksburg offered the benediction. All three attended the Nursing Allied Health Center and are graduating with Associate Degrees in Nursing.
Mason Norman of Madison offered the invocation at the Health Sciences graduation ceremony at Ӱ on Dec. 11.
After graduation, Norman, 24, will go to work for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Delgado, 24, starts work at The Bluffs Nursing Home in Vicksburg and plans to continue her education at William Carey University for a bachelor degree in nursing. Williams, 35, plans to work toward becoming a flight nurse.
Felicity Delgado of Vicksburg spoke on behalf of classmates at the Health Sciences graduation ceremony at Ӱ on Dec. 11.
In her remarks, Delgado recalled her struggles in earning her degree and called on her colleagues in the Health Sciences field to remember “one key factor as we begin our careers … we are human.
“We are not robots or gods; we will make mistakes, and we will cry. We will be flooded with emotions at times, while at others we must flip the switch to keep moving. Embrace who you are and allow it to turn you into a better healthcare worker,” she said.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, Shanora Thomas of Jackson will offer the invocation and benediction, and Jaylen Alexander McGriggs of Clinton will offer graduation remarks. Thomas, 24, attended the Jackson Campus where she earned her certification in welding. After graduating she is going straight to work in her field.
McGriggs, 19, attended the Raymond Campus where he earned an Associate degree in Electro-Mechanical Technology. After graduating from Ӱ, he will attend Mississippi State University to study engineering.
Thomas will offer the invocation and benediction at the 2 p.m. ceremony also. Dhriti Dhingra, 19, of Olive Branch will speak on behalf of classmates. She is receiving an Associate degree in computer science. After graduation she plans to pursue a career as a software developer.
Trenica Johnson of Crystal Springs graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with an Associate Degree in Nursing.
Austin Vargas of Pearl graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with an Associate Degree in Nursing.
Jessica Carpenter of Yazoo City, Dewayne Nash of Vicksburg and Audrianna Williams of Vicksburg graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with an Associate Degree in Nursing.
Tracey Brown fixes the mortar board for her daughter Joynel Brown of Brandon, who graduated with a Practical Nursing degree from Ӱ on Dec. 11.
Kameryn Batton of Brandon graduated with a Practical Nursing degree from Ӱ on Dec. 11. She is with family and friends.
Genesis Fort of Byram graduated with an Associate Degree in Nursing from Ӱ on Dec. 11.
Vicksburg residents, from left, Carlyle Carraway, Kayleigh Beard, Sara Barrentine and Catherine Adcock graduated with an Associate Degree in Nursing from Ӱ on Dec. 11.
Charles Applewhite of Jacksonville, Fla., was on hand to see his niece Angela Applewhite of Pearl graduate with a nursing degree from Ӱ on Dec. 11.
Kiara Kincaid of Brandon graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She is shown with her family.
Jada Brown of Simpson County graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with Practical Nursing Degree. She is shown with her family.
Mary Reagan Stuart of Madison graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She is shown with family and friends.
Nicole Givens of Jackson graduated from Ӱ on Dec. 11 with a Practeical Nursing Degree. She is with her two children, Lucas, 8, and Blake, 6.
Ӱ offers affordable, comprehensive educational opportunities across six campuses 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 www.hindscc.edu or call 1.800.ӰCC.