Graduates receive diplomas and congratulations

  POPLARVILLE – Pearl River Community College graduates got cheers, hugs and flowers Friday, May 11, along with their diplomas.
  About 500 students participated in one of two graduation ceremonies at White Coliseum on the Poplarville campus. Almost 1,000 students completed their studies in the summer and fall 2017 semesters and the spring 2018 semester and were eligible to participate.
  “It means a turning point in my life,” said Wayne Halcomb of Poplarville. He earned his high school equivalency diploma through PRCC’s Adult Education Department and through a state-sponsored program call MI BEST was able to work on his college degree at the same time.
  Halcomb completed the masonry program and has several job opportunities to consider.
  He and others in career-technical and allied health programs participated in the morning ceremony.
  Graduates of the general education program took part in the afternoon ceremony. Many will be heading to a four-year institution to further their education, including Said Otwane of Petal.
  A native of Kenya who came to the U.S. at the age of 12, he will attend Columbia University in New York City on a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarship of $40,000 per year.
  “Don’t be afraid to walk a different path,” he said.
  During his speech to fellow graduates at the afternoon ceremony, he recalled how some questioned his decision to attend community college.
  “I knew this path would open doors for me that another wouldn’t,” he said. “Pearl River Community College has changed my life and I am eternally grateful.”
  Business and marketing management graduate Kesha Saucier of Kiln spoke during the morning ceremony.
  “Of all the places I’ve been, Pearl River Community College has felt more like home than anywhere else,” she said. “We’ve all done great to make it this far. My advice is simply this – keep going.”
  During both ceremonies, PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood recognized students inducted into honor societies, veterans and those who have participated in athletic and fine arts performance groups. His brief remarks were aimed at all the graduates.
  “We are here to celebrate you,” he said. “You’ve made it.”


Carrie Broome of Prentiss poses with her grandmother, Wanda Johnson, for a family picture before graduating from Pearl River Community College on Friday, May 11. She is holding her award as Outstanding Student in medical radiologic technology.
PRCC Public Relations photo


Graduates file into White Coliseum for graduation on Friday, May 11, at Pearl River Community College.
PRCC Public Relations photo

Cody Johnson of Poplarville receives his automotive mechanics technology diploma from Pearl River Community College President Dr. Adam Breerwood.
PRCC Public Relations photo

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.