VHCC 2023 Commencement Program

2023 Commencement Exercises

Friday, May 12, 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Joseph P. Johnson, Jr. Grand Hall Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Abingdon, Virginia

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS PRIDE Written by Schéry and David Collins

Mountains high, valleys wide, rivers running through; Highlands pride, we shall strive to learn and live what’s true. On this hill wolves ran free, strong of heart and mind; Like the wolves it’s our decree—a new world we will find. Our bounteous land, traditions rich, Virginia Highlands strives To open doors, fulfill dreams, providing better lives. On this night, in this place, we stand to sing this song. A new class joins a growing throng—over ten thousand strong. We’re justly proud of what we’ve earned and learned on our way. Through sacrifice and working hard we’ve earned the right to say— “Our bounteous land, traditions rich, Virginia Highlands strives To open doors, fulfill dreams, providing better lives.”

1

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

2:30 PM College Transfer

5:00 PM Professional & Technical Studies

7:30 PM Health Programs

PROCESSIONAL* ............................................................................................................................... Ms. Schéry Collins Pomp and Circumstance by Sir Edward Elgar

FACULTY MARSHAL

2:30 PM Ceremony................................................................................................................................Mr. David Smith Associate Professor of Mathematics

5:00 PM Ceremony.............................................................................................................................Mr. Donnie Melvin Instructor of Electromechanical Technology

7:30 PM Ceremony.................................................................................................................................Dr. JoAnn Price Professor of Nursing

STUDENT MARSHAL

2:30 PM Ceremony.................................................................................................................................Christian Miller

5:00 PM Ceremony.....................................................................................................................................Ella Jackson

7:30 PM Ceremony.................................................................................................................................... Amber Heath

WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS..........................................................................................................Dr. Adam Hutchison President

GREETINGS FROM THE VHCC BOARD........................................................................................................ Ms. Gwen Beattie Chair, Virginia Highlands Community College Board

2

INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKERS.................................................................................. Dr. Adam Hutchison

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER (see pages 19–20 for biographies)

2:30 PM Ceremony..................................................................................................................................... Cole Bednar

5:00 PM Ceremony.................................................................................................................................... Abigail Poole

7:30 PM Ceremony..................................................................................................................................... Will Mooney

MUSICAL SELECTION, Give Us Hope by Jim Papoulis....................................................... Krystal Smith and the VHCC Choir

MUSICAL SELECTION, Virginia Highlands Pride by David & Schéry Collins................... Ms. Schéry Collins, Mr. David Collins, and Ms. Mary Munsey, Assistant Professor of Music The audience is asked to participate. See page 1.

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES, DIPLOMAS, AND CERTIFICATES

All Ceremonies, Announcer.................................................................................................................Mr. Ken Fairbanks Director, Learning Resources Division

2:30 PM Ceremony...............................................................................................................................Ms. Sandy Davis Interim Dean, Arts and Sciences Division

5:00 PM Ceremony....................................................................................................................................Ms. Lee Hunt Dean, Professional and Technical Studies Division

7:30 PM Ceremony.......................................................................................................................... Ms. Brigitte Casteel Dean, Health Programs Division

CONFERRING OF DEGREES, DIPLOMAS, AND CERTIFICATES. ................................................................Ms. Barbara Manuel Interim Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, and Dr. Adam Hutchison

CONCLUDING REMARKS........................................................................................................................Dr. Adam Hutchison

RECESSIONAL*...................................................................................................................................... Ms. Schéry Collins War March of the Priests by F. Mendelssohn

*The audience is asked to remain standing during the Processional and Recessional.

3

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Douglas M. Garcia, Chair Peggy Layne, Vice Chair

Dana Beckton David E. Broder

Ashby Kilgore Bruce Meyer RJ Narang Richard S. Reynolds, III Terri Thompson Michael Eric Wooten

Brenda Calderon, Ph.D. Edward C. Dalrymple, Jr.

Deborah DiCroce Darius A. Johnson Maurice Jones

Virginia Community College System Dr. David Dorè, Chancellor

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD Gwen Beattie, Chair – Smyth County Donald Bowman, Vice Chair – City of Bristol

Dr. Doug Arnold, Washington County Don Ashley, City of Bristol Charlie Fugate, Washington County Pamela Hill, Smyth County

Tony Miller, Washington County Dr. Brian Ratliff, Washington County Beth D. Rhinehart, City of Bristol

President Dr. Adam Hutchison

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION BOARD Virgil Wimmer, Chair David Collins, Vice Chair

Mary Begley Regina Belcher, Treasurer Donald Bowman Ben Casteel

Dr. Adam Hutchison Mary Jones Dr. John Lentz Tal McBride Lantha Quesenberry Dr. John Roberts, Jr.

Kimberly Clark Christine Fields Jack Frost Mark Goodman

Mike Spiegler Carol Trammell Cathy Zeigler

George F. Helms, IV Richard Humphreys

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Laura Pennington

4

ACADEMIC COSTUMES The wearing of academic regalia dates from the 12th century and has been in use in the United States since Colonial days. An American Intercollegiate Code adopted in 1984 established certain standard styles in faculty regalia; and the gowns, caps, and hoods conform in every detail to this Code. Academic hoods, like the gowns, are designed to indicate academic rank. They are the same material as the gown but differ in size and shape for the various degrees. The inside trim of the hood is of velvet or velveteen, varying in width for the different degrees. The colors inside the hood indicate the school from which the degree was granted, while the color of the trim indicates the subject in which the degree was earned.

The color for academic hoods:

Agriculture, including Horticulture

Maize

Journalism

Crimson

Arts, Letters, Humanities White Commerce, Accountancy, Business Drab Economics Copper Education Light Blue Engineering Orange Fine Arts, including Architecture Brown

Law Purple Library Science Lemon Medicine

Kelly Green

Music

Pink

Nursing Science

Apricot

Science Gold

STOLES Members of the Alpha Gamma Rho Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa national community/junior college honor society are wearing blue and gold stoles that designate their membership in the society. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is conferred on those students who have established academic excellence as judged by the College faculty. Members of the Virginia Highlands Community College Student Government Association are wearing white stoles that designate they currently hold office in the association. Students wearing white are student-elected representatives of Virginia Highlands Community College and serve as a link between student body, administration, faculty, and staff. During their terms, they work to improve student quality of life by identifying and addressing issues, advocating for the interests of the student body at the administrative level, and creating, supporting, and running campus-wide events and student service projects.

CORDS Cords are worn by graduates in recognition of their special accomplishments in the following areas:

Honors are computed from the cumulative grade point average as of December 2022.

*

Cum Laude

3.2 to 3.49 GPA 3.5 to 3.79 GPA 3.8 to 4.00 GPA

**

Magna Cum Laude Summa Cum Laude

Gold: Academic Honors Red, White, & Blue: Active Duty/Veterans of the U.S. Military

***

 U.S. Military Veterans Φ Phi Theta Kappa  Great Expectations 

Light Blue: Great Expectations Medallions: Governor’s Scholars

Dual Enrollment/Governor's Scholars

SGA Officers

t

LIVE STREAMING AND PHOTOGRAPHS Each ceremony will be live streamed on Facebook. For live streaming during the event, please visit us on Facebook and search Virginia Highlands Community College. Video will be uploaded to VHCC’s YouTube channel at a later date under the Video tab. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6UBvTMmuKJxiGQfkX2y6SA Photographs of each graduate receiving his/her diploma are also available for purchase online at https://proofs.swvaphotography.com/gallery/vhcc_23.

5

C A ND I D AT E S F OR G R A D U AT I ON A L P H A B E T I C A L LY B Y D E G R E E

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS & SCIENCES DEGREE Business Administration Arianna S. Endicott also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Kolby M. Felty** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Haley Elizabeth Herndon also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Lisa Danelle Atwell Humphrey also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies William Preston Hutton*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Kolby Andrew Jackson also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Zachary Dawson Morris*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Zeibre Ashley Morris*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Alexis Lark Musick*** Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Ashley E. Postell also receiving

Business Administration Specialization in Business Information Technology Matthew Scot Smith* Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Education Whitney Page Arnold** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Alexis Danielle Gilbert** Φ also receiving Career Studies Certificate, American Sign Language Joshua Blake Miller** Jennifer Lynn Osborne-Sparks also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Education Specialization in Art Grace Lacewell Crowe** Φ Jacob Andrew Dannhardt** Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Kara Holley Evans*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Charley Amber Mckemy* Jose Adolfo Olguin Flores* Education Specialization in Teacher Preparation Emily B. Bartley* Dylan Dwayne Carter*** Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Mackenzie Dawn Chapman** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Lilly Jade Colley*  also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Web Design & Development Emma Crusenberry Alyson Dancy* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Makenna Jade Fields Meagan Elizabeth Honeycutt** Φ

Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree, General Studies Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Sabrina Nicole Hill ReMine also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Iszabella Raine Steffey** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Joshua R. Tedder** Φ also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Accounting Logan Shuler Tolbert*** Φ Reagan Markus Kyle Trent*** Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies

6

Isaac Ben Chapman*** Φ Isaiah Andrew Chapman*** Φ Tyler Sage Clear** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Reid Andrew Christopher Collins*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Sophia Elizabeth Combs**  Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Abigail Conde*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Leslie Ann Cook** Shane Robert Cooley  Kaylie Shae Cornelius also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Ryan Lee Crosswhite Colby Seth Crutchfield** Alexander Clay Davis** Seth Scott DeBusk*** Caleb Delp***  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Haley Delp Kaycee B. Deskins** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Alyssa Dishman* Abigail Elliott*  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Esraa M. Elshouky*** Φ t Joseph Scott Fields***  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Gavin Elijah Freeman Gracie Brianna Fuller*** Φ

Sierra Breann Lewis Kaylee Maria McKinney**

Abigail Breanne Sluss* Madison Paige Tuggle Φ Montana Nicole Turley* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Tristan Avery Vance* Education Specialization in Theatre Arts Lily Grace Blevins* General Studies Benjamen Logan Adams also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Luke Joseph Anderson also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Hannah Eileen Barnes** Carla Ann Battel*** Φ Baleigh Ann Belcher**  Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Lacie Taylor Bertke Landrey Jordan Bledsoe** Φ Tamra Nicole Blevins also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Natasha Marie Boardwine Raelin Grace Bowman**  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Michael Andrew Bradley** Φ Kassidy Dawn Brogan* Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Faith Maray Brown***  Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Jack Burton Bundy***  Lakyn Marie Burchett Erik Nakiah Calton Luke Benjamin Caudill**

Megan R. Garrett*** Brennan J. Gilbert* Presleigh Alisun Gobble*

7

Haylee Brianna Gomez*** Φ t also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Criminal Justice Certificate, Health Sciences Katlin Rose Gray*** Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Zackory D. Greer Devin Gregory Miranda Chantel Hall Tiller* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Maria Lynn Hancock** Φ Brandan Timothy Harris Zachary Taylor Harrison Jordan Loyie Hart* Brady Thomas Hawkins also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Emily Jo Hodges* Donovan B. Horne* Caitlyn Rhea Horton**  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Isabella Danielle Hughes*** Haylee Nicole Hunt* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Adrianna Nicole Jackson* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Elizabeth G. Johnson*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Lauren Kayla Jones* Rachel Marie Krumtum also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Lucas Dillon LaFlamme Caitlin Merie Lambert**  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Hannah Lee Grace Lowery** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Madison Shea Herndon Olivia Grace Hess*** Φ

Kaela Karrissa Mays Elizabeth Grace McClure*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Solomon Anthony McKenley***  Φ Audra Hannah Meadows**  Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Maggie Noel Milhorne***  Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies

Christian T. Miller*** Φ t Payton Emily Monahan Brianna Mullins*** Muhammad Mutto** Mary Jo O'Quinn also receiving

Associate of Applied Science Degree, Human Services Associate of Applied Science Degree, Management Neil Joseph Osborne** Φ John Phipps Edwin Kyle Plemmons** Laci Jade Powers* Harleigh M. Propst also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Boadie C. Ramsey* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Abigail Elaina Ray*** Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Shealee Sierra Ray*** Φ Autumn Deanna Rhea Watana Skywalker Rugar*** Φ Caleb Alexander Russell*** Audrey Brooke Saltz* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Jayden Arianna Sisk***  Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Ana Brooke-lyn Sizemore* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Grayson Thomas Small***  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies

8

Science Specialization in Engineering Brett Joseph Atwood* Cole Michael Bednar*** Φ Tyler Nathan Goad*** Carlye Noel Manuel** Φ

Emily Kaitlyn Smythe**  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Angel Dawn Staley also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Lauren Holly Stauffer***  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Sarah Elizabeth Stiltner*  also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Christopher Hunter Taylor*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Natalyi Brooke Taylor also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Jalyn Brooke Thompson**  Φ also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Kylee Shay VanHoy Dylan Mackenzie Warden*** also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Christian Tomas Webb* also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies Kristen Marie Widener also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Medical Assisting Daisy Williams** Φ Science Rebecca Isabelle Adams** Φ Gabriel Jack Barker** Φ Kora Marie Bednar** Φ Caitlin Grace Boothe* Hayley Bordwine** Kloe Izabella Leonard Aaron Matthew Umali Mitchell* Sydney Brianna Mitchell** Φ Andrew Newman

Caleb J. Rector** Dakota M. Worley also receiving Certificate, Uniform Certificate of General Studies ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE Administrative Support Technology Executive Administrative Assistant Callie Noelle Cregger* Φ also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Administrative Support Technology, Specialization in Legal Assisting/Paralegal

Dawn Worley Crosswhite** Φ Aimee Monique Pilotte** Φ

Administrative Support Technology Specialization in Legal Assisting/Paralegal Emerald Isabella Elizabeth Helton* Nancy Lopez* Teresa F. Ray*** also receiving Certificate, Clerical Studies

Administrative Support Technology Specialization in Medical Office Specialist Christy Heath Lillianna Rose Mourning*  Φ Melissa Ann Smithson** Φ Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Nathan W. Fields*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Robert Kennedy Hahn Jr. also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Andrew Nicklaus Jessee***  also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration

Riley Rose Parsh*** Φ Noah Michael Ratliff** Daizy Laine Richey Bethany Sullivan*** Cody Allen Wilson***

9

Criminal Justice Samantha Grace Blevins*  also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice Career Studies Certificate, Law Enforcement Career Studies Certificate, Corrections Dana Leann Cagney also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice Career Studies Certificate, Law Enforcement Kayla G. Davis also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice Career Studies Certificate, Corrections William Sage Finley also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice McKinley Allen Heath  Michelle V. Hill* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Corrections Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice Career Studies Certificate, Law Enforcement Chelsea Lynn Owens Nunley** Φ Cara Elizabeth Odum* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Law Enforcement Hanna Brooke Shortridge also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice Career Studies Certificate, Law Enforcement Career Studies Certificate, Corrections Armando Garcia Tapia** Φ also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Corrections Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice Career Studies Certificate, Law Enforcement Electrical Technology Michael Ethan Church also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity

Timothy Bryant McCloskey**  also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Robert Glenn Reedy* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration James B. Rhodes Jr.* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration David Brian Shortridge also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Robert Braxton Vannoy also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Russell D. Walls Jr. also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration David Lee Wolfe Jr.*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration John N. Woodward* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Computer Numerical Control Machine Operations Kimberly Brooke Frye** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Precision Machining Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Precision Machining Nicholas Alexander Matda*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Precision Machining Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Precision Machining Jonathon Shane Pierce*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Precision Machining Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Precision Machining Andrew Tymon*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Precision Machining Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Precision Machining

10

Andrew Seth Doane also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology - Specialization in Mechatronics Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Logan Fleenor** also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Christian Antonio Gonzalez** Φ also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology - Specialization in Energy Technology Lucas Brian Greer** also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Chase Hunter Harrington** also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Wrangler Gage Hogston* also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology - Specialization in Mechatronics Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics James Brian Rasnake* also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Alexander Cephas Robinson* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity

Raul Eduardo Ruiz*** also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Grayson Eli Surber*** also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Jessie-Dean Allen Thomas* also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology - Specialization in Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Trevor Allen Williams also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Joshua Timothy Worley*** also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology - Specialization in Mechatronics Certificate, Electricity Electrical Technology Specialization in Energy Technology Brandon T. Belcher** Electrical Technology Specialization in Mechatronics Ethan M. Roark* also receiving

Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Danny Thomas also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Jordan Ryan Williams*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics

11

Emergency Medical Services Technology – Paramedic DeAnna Marie Aisner* Madison Brooke Marshall** Horticulture Technology Kara E. Evans** Human Services Karrye Marie Dean also receiving Certificate, Human Services Advocate Cassidy Laine Duncan** Tieshawna Wilhelmina McDaniel  Human Services Specialization in Early Childhood Education Jessica Belcher***

Management Mary-Kate Elizabeth Cullop**

Mary Elizabeth Malina Abigail Rose Poole** Φ t Allison Marie Tiller* also receiving Certificate, Supervision and Management Career Studies Certificate, Medical Coding Specialist Nursing Terra Lynn Abrams* Marquita Jade Adams

Alyssa Diane Atwell Alex Nicole Bates* Breanna Beth Blair** Arrick Richie Blevins Taylor Morgan Booher** also receiving

Heather Nicole Harless* Alyssa Nicole Hudson* Information Systems Technology Jacob Isaiah Brown*** Michael James Smyth Gibson*** Φ Jourdan Elizabeth Walker* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Computer Programming Career Studies Certificate, Database Security and Design Certificate, Web Programming and Design Career Studies Certificate, Web Design & Development Information Systems Technology Specialization in Networking Noah Y. Fields also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Networking Fundamentals I Career Studies Certificate, Networking Fundamentals II Tina Maria Mitchell** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Networking Fundamentals I Career Studies Certificate, Networking Fundamentals II Kendal Eden Taylor*** Φ also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Networking Fundamentals I Career Studies Certificate, Networking Fundamentals II Shane D. Trogdon*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Networking Fundamentals I Career Studies Certificate, Networking Fundamentals II

Certificate, Health Sciences Tyler Garrett Brammer** Φ Christina Brooks Brittany Alexsei Brown Trinity Grace Brown Lydia Mitchell Bullen*** Φ Joseph Kolbe Bush*** Adrianna Helena Rose Canter* Derek Charles Christie Raleigh Carrington Clark also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Crystal Cheyenne Clear* Nicole Maureen Cocozza*

Brittney Morgan Coe Destiny Devine Collins Alexis Jade Cook Sally J. Cottrill*** Φ MaKaLa Amber Cruey

Jessica Renea Cunningham* Patricia Elizabeth England** Aulet A. Favre* also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences

12

Tyychelle Nicole Morris** Φ Carrie L. Mullins Jacob David Munsey** Sarah Elizabeth Musser* Kimberly Starr Necessary** Φ Chelsea Neitch Alexis Kara Queen*** Φ Allicia Danielle Reece Alexandra Paige Rickman Aspen Jean Rickman John K. Riley** Sara Emiline Roberts Keshia Danielle Robinette Robert William Russell Allison Leigh Rutan Lindsay Jean Stevans** Φ Bruce Baxter Stiltner* Stephanie D. Taylor Amy Michelle Tuggle* Kenna Dancy Widener Lauren T. Woodward* Trevor Chase Wright** Φ Nancy Elizabeth Zertuche  Radiography Savannah Nicole Austin*** Rachel Paige Blosser* Bradley Charles Erdman**  Courtney M. Phillips Paige Lester Poston

Megan Louisa Fleenor Stephanie L. Fritz Haylee MaClay Goins Tina Marie Grubb Kayla Lynn Hagen Jaimie Leigh Hale Matthew Ray Hall* Sherri Nicole Hardy Jessica Lee Hash Kallie Brooke Havens Celena RayAnn Hawkins

Lauren Brooke Hawks Tara Beth Hayes*** Φ Kyle Preston Hearl** Φ also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Victoria Rachel-Dawn Heckford Kristen L. Helton* Sarah Elizabeth Helton Gavin Hodge Reagan Marie Honaker* Brooke Danielle Horne Chrystal Humphreys* Victoria Leigh Jackson McKinley Ashlyn Johnson Cassandra Leigh Keith Charles W. King**  Brianna Denise Lambert* Jennifer Marie Lessels Erica Jordan Lowe* Kaitlin Grace Lowe** Φ also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Audrey Wynne Markland** Cecilia Alise McDowell Gregory Hunter McFarlane* Φ Brooke Lorene McNutt* Katie Meeks*

Caitlin Almira Hauk** Autumn Belle Melvin** Hayley Alicia Pauley Samantha Grace Sizemore* Technical Studies Allison Taylor Eads Samantha Jade Inscore*** Φ also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding

Alexis G. Mitchell* Will Taylor Mooney

Donnie Scott Melvin*** Grayson Hunter Moore**

13

CERTIFICATE Clerical Studies

Uniform Certificate of General Studies Angel Nicole Adrian**  Haley Paige Carrier**  Φ Alexis Frazier**  Gabriel James Harrison** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, American Sign Language

Martha Ann Holmes Ella K. Jackson t

Electricity

Isaac Ray Nease** Health Sciences Taylor Ashlynn-Marie Booth*** Trinity C. Carrico* Noah Hunter Davis**

Aiden Drew Hoagland**  Autumn Skye Honaker*  Alexander S. Johnson***  Ashley Marie Johnson***  Caleb Beecher Glenn Johnson**  Zachary Donald Kiser**  Brenden Michael Lawson***  Madison Michelle Lawson**  Zoie Alexis Long***  Avery Maiden***  Kaylee Mayo**  Antonio Diego McCracken Rachel Faith McQueary***  Kelleigh Ann Messick**  Hayden Miller**  Dalton William Franklin Minnick*  Hobart Jack Nichols***  Jacob O'Quinn Haley Marie Orr***  Macie Ratliff***  Alondra Reyes***  Billy Wayne Rhoton III***  Sara Richard**  Thomas James Roe**  also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Culinary Arts Emma Kate Sheets**  Danciel Singhavara*  Veronica Paige Slaughter  Lexa Mnemosyne Somervell***  Abigail Bates Parkey***  Katherine Grace Peaslee 

Cheryl Elizabeth Isaacs Ashlynn Paisley Light* Mackenzie Grace Maxfield

Sabrina Joy Parsons* Rachel Rena Puckett** Priscilla Val Thomas Human Services Advocate Clarica Lee Herron** Networking A+ Gage C. Summers** Practical Nursing Faith Delaney Ayers

Bailey Kinkaid Bordwine* Briley McKay Bordwine* Kayla Belle Epperson

April Renee Gomez Amber Nicole Heath

Kaitlyn Nicole Johnson Charly Allise Martin  Rhiannah Elizabeth Mumpower

Kaylin Kamille Pete Kari Jensen Taylor Emily M. Thomas Lori Danielle Wilson* Alexis Paige Worley

14

Diesel Mechanic William Armstrong

Anna Lauren Stacy***  Emily Brooke Sturgill**  Ethan Surber*** 

Christopher C. Cordle Daniel Joseph Hawkins Dylan Tyler Hayden Logan Andrew Lunsford Henry Talmage McBride IV Gannon James McCormick Matthew McCoy Carla Michelle Mullis Able Jesse Neal

Jackson Steele Tinsley  Isabella Katherine Trent*  Ava Renae Tuell***  Kaitlyn Hope Woodby**  CAREER STUDIES CERTIFICATE Advanced Emergency Medical Technician William T. Allison Jr. Taylor Faith Eaton Dylan L. Gary

Benjamin Raines Neece Chase Foster Tomlinson Horticulture Production Jacob Tyler Eisert Intermediate to Paramedic Bridge Jared Abishai O'Hara Medical Assisting LeShanda Destiny Andrew

Cosette Moormans Tiffany Kayla Pruitt Preston James Wright Advanced Welding

Brady Giles Bishop Payton Lee Meade American Sign Language Whitney Marie Self Xochill Daniele Velasquez Applied Music Dru Collin Bradley Child Development Jared Glen Helbert Culinary Arts Cheyenne Faith Blevins Morgan Althea Heffinger  Diana Esperanza Delcid Lopez Kylie Breanna Owens  BrieAnna Faith Urbanski  Cyber Security

Brittany Davidson  Kayla Marie Dunivan Casey Faulkner Jaimen Jessie Frye MaKayla Jayde Hall Crystal Skie Harris Φ t Jennifer Martinez Emma Caitlin McCready Φ Caitlyn Nicole McFarlane Chevas T. McGuire Tara Michelle Mullins Morgan Victoria Puckett Chloe Lynne Ellis Radecki Shawn Zachary Shaffer MacKenzie Brooke Shepherd Mallory Paige Thompson also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Audrey Paige Tragler Savannah Faith Williams

Micah Joseph Barrett Madelyn Louise Pickle

15

Medical Coding Specialist Fallon O. Adams 

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Rachel Nash Law Substance Abuse Counselor - Assistant

Taylor Lynn Childress Kara Brooke Collins Φ Sarah L. Hash

Ronnie Louis Griffin Ricky Antonio Mills Christopher Steven Nelson

Leora Nichole Knupp Melissa Renea Rector Melinda Elizabeth Sheets Practical Electrical Technician Bailey Booher 

Gregory B. Shumate Penny Sue Tillison Temesgen Tsadu

Welding Caleb Shane Blackburn also receiving

Landon Scott Booher  Aemon Michael Cress  Brenner William Davis  Isaac Ryan Eddy  Nathaniel Ewing  Christopher George  Kain Kestner 

Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Career Studies Certificate, Precision Machining Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Precision Machining John Rafe Boggs also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding James Weston Brown also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Rylee Blake Charles also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Cameron Bentley Craig also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Case Robert Dawson Φ also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Kevin Scott Goins also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding

Phillip Andrew Sage  Dakoda Bly Singleton  Walter Aldair Torres  Xybian Lucas Widner  Precision Machining Michael C. Necessary also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Precision Machining Refrigeration Jordan Lee Blevins Φ

16

Tristan Garrett Guffey also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Zack Keith also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Caleb Matthew Leonard also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Austyn Brian McCracken also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Brandon Patrick Miller also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Evan Noah Miller also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Zach Moore also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding John David Moser also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Kevin K. Nguyen also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Isaac James Perkins also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Gabriel Micheal Rangel also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding John Reed Rasnick also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding

Joe Eli Robinette also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Nathanial Stovall also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Trevor Lynn Whitaker also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Iris L. Young also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding

The commencement program is not an official graduation registry. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy in the program, printing deadlines may result in the omission of names of persons who have met graduation requirements and likewise the inclusion of names of persons not completing graduation requirements as expected. Therefore, the commencement program should not be used to determine a student’s academic or degree status. VHCC’s official registry for the conferral of degrees is the student’s permanent academic record, which is maintained by the Office of Admissions and Records. Honors recognitions printed in the commencement program are based upon the cumulative grade point average as of December 2022. Final official honors will be computed after all grades are processed at the end of the last term of attendance and will appear on the student’s diploma and transcript.

17

History of Virginia Highlands Community College

Virginia Highlands Community College was established on November 30, 1967, by action of the State Board for Community Colleges, and assigned a service region of Washington County, the western portion of Smyth County, and the City of Bristol, Virginia. Today it is one of 23 community colleges within the Virginia Community College System.

The College moved to its permanent 100-acre campus during the summer of 1970 and, in response to the community’s needs, expanded its offerings to include both occupational-technical programs and baccalaureate-transfer programs.

During more than five decades of operation, Virginia Highlands Community College has become a dynamic leader in Southwest Virginia with a primary goal of providing a comprehensive and quality education for residents throughout its service region. The College served about 3,000 full- and part-time students this year. The rolling hills of the campus have been developed to include nine modern buildings, athletic and recreational facilities, and substantial parking. Programs and services also have changed to meet the needs of the local community. For example, the Division of Workforce Training and Continuing Education was created in 1996 to better prepare the local workforce. The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center – a separate organization located on the VHCC campus – opened in 1998 to bring baccalaureate and graduate programs to the area, and the Arts Array program was expanded into a community-wide cultural program. In 2004 we welcomed our campus neighbor, the Stone Mill Business and Technology Park, and during 2006 we completed construction of a greenhouse to support the Horticulture program. In 2011, the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace (formerly known as “Heartwood”), opened as a gateway to the area’s cultural and creative economy, featuring a dining, meeting, and studio hub showcasing regional artisans and musicians. In addition, the dual enrollment program offered by the College is allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school, and the experiential learning initiative, LearningPLUS+, is teaching VHCC students the value of contextual learning, soft skills, and service to others, and the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is providing tuition assistance for a variety of students and their families. State-of-the-art technology has made it possible to deliver distance education courses and has provided the entire College community with modern, up-to-date computer facilities. Through Federal TRIO programs – Student Support Services (Project EXCEL) and Upward Bound – high school and college students are receiving the academic help and encouragement they need to complete high school and succeed in college.

Today, we proudly honor the VHCC Class of 2023 by celebrating this major milestone with graduating students, their family members, and friends.

18

Commencement Speakers

Cole Bednar Associate of Arts and Sciences in Science – Specialization in Engineering

Cole Bednar of Abingdon has deep roots in family, faith, and education. Mature and accomplished beyond his years, Bednar will have just celebrated his 18th birthday when he graduates from VHCC. Bednar was born in Arlington, Texas, and moved to this area when he was 6 years old. Bednar began attending VHCC full-time at the age of 16 and says that VHCC has been “a great transition from a homeschooling environment to the next phase of education” for both he and his sister, Kora Bednar (who is also graduating from VHCC this year). That next phase includes an exciting internship at General Dynamics this summer, and heading to Virginia Tech this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. While at VHCC, Bednar served as the President of the Fellowship of Christian Students, worked as a tutor in the MARC, helped run an Ultimate Frisbee group in Abingdon, and showcased a golf ball launcher (that he designed himself) at the 2022 VHCC Educational Foundation Golf Tournament. When Bednar isn’t studying, his favorite activities are reading, playing board games, and participating in sports of all kinds. In offering words of advice to the graduating class of 2023, Bednar says to “try to use the knowledge and experience that you have gained at VHCC to improve not just your life, but the lives around you.” Abigail Poole, a native of Chilhowie, is a planner and an achiever – with the heart of a servant. While attending high school, Poole took the steps needed to earn her cosmetology credential from Smyth Career & Technical Education Center so that she would have a jump-start on her future upon graduation. With the love and support of her large and close-knit family, Poole enrolled at VHCC and found another family waiting for her. “All of the staff and professors are so welcoming and helpful…there hasn’t been a day that I dread coming to VHCC, and I just like hanging around even when I don’t have class.” While at VHCC, Poole has worked in her late grandmother’s salon and as a work study in the Professional and Technical Studies Division. She has also served as the Student Government Association president – a role that she has gotten a tremendous amount of joy from through supporting and encouraging fellow students. When not on campus, Poole enjoys fishing and walking her dog, listening to music, and fueling her “inner foodie” by trying all sorts of cuisine. Poole has plans to continue her education, but first wants to gain some additional professional experience in business, human resources, accounting, and finance. Poole’s advice and encouragement to fellow graduates is “to not get down if you are rejected in an opportunity…take it as a sign that you have even bigger and better opportunities on your horizon.” Abigail Poole Associate of Applied Science in Management

19

Commencement Speakers (continued)

Will Mooney Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Will Mooney has many unique and rich life experiences to combine with the degree he has dedicated himself to earning from VHCC. While Mooney has called places like Wyoming and South Carolina home, he is currently a resident of Bristol. Mooney owned a successful home inspection business for many years and currently works full-time as a nursing assistant while attending college full-time. He comes from a long line of patient-dedicated health care professionals – including his mom, Donna, who has been one of his biggest supporters. He has a deep respect and love of animals – especially horses and dogs – and once worked as a hunting/fishing guide and horse wrangler. “Horses, for example, can tell in a few seconds whether you know what you’re doing or not…their intelligence and intuition are like no other.” Mooney has worked hard to build this same mental acuity and connectedness in his life and hopes that it continues to serve him well as he cares for some of the health care system’s most fragile of patients. In his spare time, Mooney enjoys his family, his English Setter (Newt), hunting and fishing. His future plans are to serve patients in the critical care discipline while working toward his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing. As words of reflection for the class of 2023, Mooney says, “it sounds simple, but try to live your life by the Golden Rule…do the right thing, at the right time, and in the right way… help others, always.”

20

100 VHCC Drive | Abingdon, VA 24210 | vhcc.edu

VHCC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution. Si necesita ayuda en español, marque el número 276-739-2559.