VHCC Spring 2022 Commencement

2022 Commencement Exercises

Friday, May 13, 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.”

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COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

2:30 PM

5:00 PM

7:30 PM

College Transfer and Horticulture/Agriculture

Professional & Technical Studies

Nursing and Health Programs

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

FACULTY MARSHAL

2:30 PM Ceremony..................................................................................................................................Ms. Julie Little Associate Professor of Biology

5:00 PM Ceremony.....................................................................................................................................Mr. Jim Kroll Associate Professor of Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating

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

STUDENT MARSHAL

2:30 PM Ceremony................................................................................................................................Chandler Foster

5:00 PM Ceremony.................................................................................................................................. Devin Overton

7:30 PM Ceremony................................................................................................................................Hannah Kestner

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

GREETINGS FROM THE VHCC BOARD............................................................................................................. Dr. John Lentz Chair, Virginia Highlands Community College Board

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

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER (see pages 19–20 for biographies)

2:30 PM Ceremony................................................................................................................................. Autumn Moore

5:00 PM Ceremony............................................................................................................................Christian Gonzalez

7:30 PM Ceremony........................................................................................................................................Amy Greer

MUSICAL SELECTION, Passages by Jill Gallina................................................................................................... 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. Barbara Manuel Dean, Arts and Sciences Division

5:00 PM Ceremony................................................................................................................................... Dr. Beth Page Dean, Professional and Technical Studies Division

7:30 PM Ceremony.......................................................................................................................... Dr. Elizabeth Wright Interim Dean, Nursing Division CONFERRING OF DEGREES, DIPLOMAS, AND CERTIFICATES. .................................................................... Dr. Stacy Thomas 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.

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COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES Dr. Nathaniel Bishop, Chair Douglas M. Garcia, Vice Chair

Dana Beckton Adnan Bokhari David E. Broder

Ashby Kilgore Peggy Layne RJ Narang Richard S. Reynolds, III

Brenda Calderon, Ph.D. Edward C. Dalrymple, Jr. Darius A. Johnson Maurice Jones

Eleanor Saslaw Terri Thompson

Virginia Community College System Dr. Glenn DuBois, Chancellor

VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD Dr. John Lentz, Chair – Washington County Gwen Beattie, Vice Chair – Smyth County

Don Ashley, City of Bristol Donald Bowman, City of Bristol Pam Hill, Smyth County Tony Miller, Washington County

Dr. Brian Ratliff, Washington County Beth D. Rhinehart, City of Bristol Joseph C. Straten, Washington County

President Dr. Adam Hutchison

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

Mary Begley Regina Belcher, Treasurer

Mary Jones Dr. John Lentz Julie Little Tal McBride

Kimberly Clark Christine Fields Jack Frost Mark Goodman Bobby Griffin, Board Member Emeritus

Lantha Quesenberry Dr. John Roberts, Jr.

Mike Spiegler Carol Trammell Cathy Zeigler

George F. Helms, IV Richard Humphreys Dr. Adam Hutchison

Vice President of Institutional Advancement Laura Pennington

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

Journalism — Crimson Law — Purple Library Science — Lemon Medicine — Kelly Green Music — Pink Nursing — Apricot Science — 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: Gold: Academic Honors Red, White, & Blue: Active Duty/Veterans of the U.S. Military

Honors are computed from the cumulative grade point average as of December 2021.

*

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

***

Light Blue: Great Expectations Medallions: Governor’s Scholars

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

Dual Enrollment/Governor's Scholars

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://www.swvaphotography.com/zg/vhcc22

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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 Steven Tyler Altizer* also receiving Certificate, General Education Tricha Elaine Altmann** also receiving Certificate, General Education Elijah B. Bullen*** Φ also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Emergency Medical Technician Plus Certificate, General Education Allison Taylor Eads also receiving Certificate, General Education Stephanie Lynn Moretz LaFlamme*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Steven Dale Mitchem* also receiving Certificate, General Education Robbie Allen Puryea II  also receiving Certificate, General Education Jonathan Michael Reid also receiving Certificate, General Education Zachery Blake Terry also receiving Certificate, General Education Brooke Patton Wagner* also receiving

Alexis Jordan Hines also receiving Certificate, General Education April Dale Oliver Sproles David Andrew St. Clair*

Education Specialization in Art Abbey Elizabeth Carbonaro** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education Kara McKinley Keene** Φ Education Specialization in Teacher Preparation David C. Barton Jr. Skylar Elizabeth Cardenas*** also receiving

Certificate, General Education Kailey Madison Childress* also receiving Certificate, General Education Colleen Renee Haderer* also receiving Certificate, General Education Alyssa Faye Howard* also receiving Certificate, General Education Emily Angela Johnson also receiving Certificate, General Education Madison Paige Jones** also receiving Certificate, General Education Autumn Madeline Moore*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Rachel Elizabeth Moschler*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Lauren Brooke Russ also receiving Certificate, General Education Lorelai Rhea Thomas*** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education

Certificate, General Education Brandon Nathaniel Widener also receiving Certificate, General Education

Business Administration Specialization in Business Information Technology Maegen Elizabeth Moore Education Crystal Skie Harris*** Φ also receiving Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree, General Studies Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree, Science Certificate, General Education

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General Studies Loren Nicole AbdelMessih***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Jenna Elise Adkins***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Jennifer Lee Alexander* also receiving Certificate, General Education Damon Cole Balogh*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Lilly Cadence Bebber***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Abigail Belcher** also receiving Certificate, General Education Tyler Dillon Blankenship* Felicity Bonilla***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Gracynn Rylea Booth***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Averie Bowes also receiving Certificate, General Education Heather Brown*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Allison Lynn Buchanan*** Φ  also receiving Certificate, General Education Brianna Nicole Butler also receiving Certificate, General Education Erik Nakiah Calton also receiving

Dana Diamond Collins* also receiving Certificate, General Education Reid Andrew Christopher Collins***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Arianna Shea Davenport* Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education Cami Alea DeBusk***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Seth Scott DeBusk***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Haley Elizabeth Delp also receiving Certificate, General Education Jacob Andrew Dick** also receiving Associate of Arts & Science Degree, Science

Certificate, General Education Rebecca Susan Dickenson** also receiving Certificate, General Education Victoria LeAnn Eaton***  Michael Sergei Ferreira also receiving Certificate, General Education Timothy Orion Fleenor** also receiving Certificate, General Education Jessie Louise Fleming* also receiving Certificate, General Education Certificate, Health Sciences Devin Jacob Foran also receiving

Certificate, General Education Chandler McKinley Foster** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education Career Studies Certificate, Applied Music Leah Ashton Galliher* Meagan Elizabeth Garrett also receiving

Certificate, General Education Emma Grace Carpenter** also receiving Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree, Science Certificate, Health Sciences Taylor Mae Casey also receiving

Certificate, General Education Certificate, Health Sciences Olivia Jeanette Garrett*** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education

Certificate, General Education Grace Olivia Cassell*** Φ  also receiving Certificate, General Education

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Caley Jo Hunt*** Φ  also receiving Certificate, General Education Adrianna Nicole Jackson* also receiving Certificate, General Education Sarah Elizabeth Jackson*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Chelsi Shania Jones*** Φ  also receiving Certificate, General Education Jessica Brooke Palmer Jones also receiving Certificate, General Education Lindsey Brooke Jones also receiving Certificate, General Education Taylor Elyse Jones** also receiving Certificate, General Education Darian Kiana Keesee* also receiving Certificate, General Education Hannah Gray Noelle Krik*** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education Maisie Bryn Kiser***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Alissa Marie Kloppenborg***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Suzanna Renee Little** also receiving Certificate, General Education Kaela Karrissa Mays also receiving Certificate, General Education Emma Caitlin McCready*** Φ  also receiving Certificate, General Education Chevas Tanasi McGuire* Laken Emily Minnick* also receiving Certificate, General Education Payton Emily Monahan  also receiving Certificate, General Education Talha Murtaza** Φ

Kimberly Elizabeth Goodman** also receiving Certificate, General Education Brianna Marie Hagy**  also receiving Certificate, General Education Kaylee Faye Breanne Hamilton** also receiving Certificate, General Education Caleigh Shea Hampton***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Eli Cody Hancock** also receiving Certificate, General Education Haley Brooke Harosky*** Φ  also receiving Certificate, General Education Alexander Grant Harrison** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education Zachary Taylor Harrison also receiving Certificate, General Education Dalton William Hart Caroline Eve Hayden***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Teona Samone Hayes** also receiving Certificate, General Education Hannah Gray Henson also receiving Certificate, General Education Elijah Gavin Hess***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Kaycee Michelle Hilliker*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Levi Ray Holcomb** also receiving Certificate, General Education Career Studies Certificate, Cyber Security Donovan Balin Horne* also receiving

Certificate, General Education April Michelle Hoyos***  also receiving Certificate, General Education

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Angel Alexandra Norris* also receiving Certificate, General Education Emily Grace Osborne also receiving Certificate, General Education Madison Grace Osborne*  also receiving Certificate, General Education

Kaylynn Layne Stephenson  also receiving Certificate, General Education Kassi Victoria Stilwell** also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Andrew Dalton Taylor*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Christopher Hunter Taylor** also receiving Certificate, General Education Joshua Randall Tedder* also receiving Certificate, General Education Cathy Musick Vanhuss also receiving Certificate, General Education Christian Tomas Webb also receiving Certificate, General Education Preston Scott Wells* also receiving Certificate, General Education Caitlyn Alexis Whittaker***  also receiving Certificate, General Education Chad Arron Williams Jr.*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Nathan Christopher Worley* also receiving Certificate, General Education Lindsey Taylor Wu** also receiving Certificate, General Education Sadie Elizabeth Yates also receiving Certificate, General Education Jon Michael Thomas Young also receiving Certificate, General Education Justin Zhang*** Φ also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Zoe Rollins Ahn*** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education Megan Rachel Garrett***

Maria Cheyene Perkins* Levi Fullen Phipps*** Φ  also receiving Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree, Science Certificate, General Education Claude Mathis Price Boadie Chylese Ramsey also receiving Certificate, General Education Kylie Lynn Reid** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education Riley Evan Russell** also receiving Certificate, General Education William Carl Seymore also receiving Certificate, General Education Christine Nicole Sheets also receiving Certificate, General Education Tawny Kaitlyn Shortt** also receiving Certificate, General Education Lake Shrock** also receiving Certificate, General Education Caleb William Sisk*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Shaina Brumit Smith** also receiving Certificate, General Education Angel Dawn Staley also receiving

Certificate, General Education Shalyn Leann Statzer**  also receiving Certificate, General Education Madison Lee Steele*  also receiving Certificate, General Education

Science

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Shannon Nicole Griffin** also receiving Certificate, General Education Marina Leigh Gross*** Joshua Allen Harris*** also receiving Certificate, General Education Christian Jimenez also receiving Certificate, General Education Aaron Matthew Umali Mitchell** also receiving

Grayson Thomas Sink* Silver Lane Snodgrass* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice Glenn Harrison Wheeler IV*

Administrative Support Technology Specialization in Medical Office Specialist Jennifer Martinez Madison Mackenzie Roland Tonya Jean Sykes**

Certificate, General Education Sydney Brianna Mitchell*** Φ also receiving Certificate, General Education Joshua Lee Reynolds also receiving Certificate, General Education Jason A. Self* also receiving Certificate, General Education James Jay Sherman III also receiving Certificate, General Education Career Studies Certificate, Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Science – Specialization in Engineering Dakota Michael Worley also receiving Certificate, General Education ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE Accounting Carrie Mae Crocker*** Alexandra Jessica Nava* Φ Jessica Anne Palmer** Φ Administration of Justice Alex Dalton Adams** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Foundations of Criminal Justice Lisa Kay Baldwin

Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Austin Douglas Dunford also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Christopher L. Dutton***  Φ also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Dylan Wade Mullins*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Travis Eugene Palmer*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Zane Allen Poe also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Joseph Anthony Poston also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Branson Skyler Shupe also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Career Studies Certificate, Refrigeration Computer Numerical Control Machine Operations John D. Hayter Zachariah Allen Keeling** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Precision Machining Joshua Chance Martin*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Precision Machining

Erin Sadie Cochran** Φ Crystal Laichelle Groce Adam Joshua Hargrove** Jacob Hunter Pierce Samuel Scott Russell 

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Electrical Technology Seth Taylor Gobble*** also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology – Specialization in Mechatronics Certificate, Solar Energy Technology Certificate, Electricity

Devin Hailey Overton*** also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology – Specialization in Mechatronics Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Welding Alexander Cephas Robinson* also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Kenneth Eric Taylor**  also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Danny Smith Thomas also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Trevor Allen Williams also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician

Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Christian Antonio Gonzalez** also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology – Specialization in Energy Technology Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Thomas Jonathan Hash** also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology – Specialization in Mechatronics Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Adam James Helton** also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Erik W. Hinchey also receiving Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Dominic Shawn McGhee*** also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology – Specialization in Mechatronics Certificate, Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Practical Electrical Technician Hunter Michael Orr** also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Electrical Technology – Specialization in Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity

Electrical Technology Specialization in Energy Technology Jacob N. Caudill*  also receiving Certificate, Solar Energy Technology Eric Mitchell Smith also receiving Certificate, Solar Energy Technology Jessie-Dean Allen Thomas also receiving Certificate, Electricity Certificate, Solar Energy Technology Electrical Technology Specialization in Mechatronics Larry Eugene Dempsey*** also receiving

Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity

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Human Services Elandra Nicole Arnett**  Courtney D. Atkins* Billie Jo Jones* Tieshawna Wilhelmina Diane McDaniel  Kisha Ann Moore

Josiah Justin Heckford also receiving

Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Applied Mechatronics Matthew Christopher Hutton also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Mechatronics Dwight Steven Kimberlin***

Tessa Paige Norris** Katrina R. Sykes*  Nicole Marie Thomas* Robert Lee Worley

Amanda Blake Pierce*** Howard Clarence Turley also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Mechatronics Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Practical Electrical Technician

Human Services Specialization in Early Childhood Education

Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Mechatronics

Natasha Dawn Dula* Molly Jean McCray*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Child Development Sonya Marie Wheeler Shupe also receiving Certificate, Human Services Advocate Career Studies Certificate, Substance Abuse Counselor - Assistant

Emergency Medical Services Technology – Paramedic Joshua Edward Adkins

Alicia Dawn Ashby* Brian Edward Bentley Joseph Austin Craig Joshua Allen Eller** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Elijah Seth Hunsaker**  Jacob Charles Inscore also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician

Information Systems Technology Michael James Smyth Gibson*** Φ Joshua Drew Gilbert** Φ Jourdan Elizabeth Walker* Information Systems Technology Specialization in Networking Thomas Lee Stokes* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Cyber Security

Justine Nicole Lonsdale** Jordan Mathew Phillips  Hailey Lynn Rogers** John Haile Fitzgerald Young

Management Mary-Kate Elizabeth Cullop**

Jessica B. Davidson  Madelyn Brooke Hill Eric S. Honaker

Horticulture Technology Jacob Cole Caldwell also receiving Associate of Applied Science Degree, Horticulture Technology – Specialization in Business & Entrepreneurship Emily Ellen Maiden* also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Agriculture Management Kaylee Juliet Patterson** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Horticulture Production

Daniel Glenn Little Jr.* Brittany Rochelle May Krista Leigh Meade Melinda Jane Bradley Moore*

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Nursing

Alexis Ann Hayden* Leighton Kennedy Hearl Chelsea Mae Pauline Heath also receiving Certificate, General Education Grace Elizabeth Hernholm-Plummer also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Amy Joyell Hicks*  Φ Jessica L. Hicks also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Breanna Starr Holloway  Kasey Jones Horn* Φ Sarah Nicole Kincaid Houck** Φ Caitlin Abigail Jessee Jeffrey Kelly Johnson Madison Rosa Kerns Samuel Hugh Kiser IV*** Emily Laurel Klapp Jadelyn Hope Leonard* Karris Brooke Lester Destiny Lewis also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Cheyenne Nicole Litton also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Jayme Renee Looney Allison Ann Lowe Georgia-Kate Luttrell** Kala Nichole Martin* Robin Massengill* Φ Kendra Renee Mays Ashley Brooke McConnell| also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Gregory Hunter McFarlane** Φ McKenzie Ashlyn Miller Michaela Lynn Morris Kristyn Leann Petty* Charlene Marie Ledford Phillips* also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences

Dennis Allen Arnold Alyssa Diane Atwell Meagan Elizabeth Bare also receiving Certificate, General Education Emily Nicole Barton** Φ also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Maggie Lynn Blevins* Ametha Cherie Broadwater also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Monique Jonae Broadwater also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Clayton Thomas Brown Trinity Grace Brown Kaitlin N. Call* Jenni R. Crabtree Jennifer Lee Cunningham* Jennifer Nicole Dean  Grayson Morgan Dotson* also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Savannah Ivy Dowell Cora Abrianna Edwards** Φ Kristen Michelle Farmer*** Jacey B. Gollehon** Meta Francis Grayson Amy Nicole Greer** Φ Dominique Nicole Groves also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Grace Elisabeth Guerrero** also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Madison Faith Harless also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Kristen Elizabeth Harley** Diane Carol Anderson Harmon* Kallie Brooke Havens also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences

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Technical Studies Preston J. DeWilde also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Advanced Welding Career Studies Certificate, Welding Keith A. Harless

Danielle Ringley also receiving

Certificate, Health Sciences Keshia Danielle Robinette Kayla Michelle Roe also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Allison Leigh Rutan Caitlin Faith Sawyers Erin Clare Scanlon William Dalton Smith** also receiving Certificate, General Education Certificate, Health Sciences Timothy Jay Stapleton*** Φ Morgan Dawn Turner***  Φ Racheal Sady Turner** also receiving Certificate, General Education Certificate, Health Sciences Avery Elizabeth Weiland also receiving Certificate, Health Sciences Kacy White* Trinity Grace Witt** Φ Rebekah Kristina Wood* Taylor Rose Woodlief Arianna Blaze Allen* Callie Madison Blessing* Emily Grace Collins Makayla Brooke Erwin** Abigail Grace Farmer** Holly Nicole Fleenor* Laurel Grace Hearst* Allison Carol-Ann Heath* Breanna Emilie Lane*** Joanna Michelle Mahala Alex Lee Pauley* Peyton Dale Peters* Michael Lynn Potter* Lisa-Marie Shuler  Karli Faith Shumate* Aaron Lowell Williams*

CERTIFICATE Clerical Studies Dawn Worley Crosswhite*

Electricity

Michael Ethan Church Lorne T. McGlothlin*** also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Industrial Electricity General Education Brianna Nicole Bailey  Carla Ann Battel*** Φ  Wen Rachel-Jane Boswell-Bailey**  Lakyn Marie Burchett  Richard Joseph Charette III*  Angelina Charette* Caroline Yvonne Clifton**  Leslie Ann Cook*** 

Radiography

Collin Alexander Davidson***  Krishna Ghanshyamsinh Dodia  Matthew David Easterly***  Elijah James Eller**  Esraa M. Elshouky***  Kolby Martin Felty**  Kaleigh Gutknecht**  Addie Grace Hahn***  Gabriel James Harrison**  Alexandria Grayson Hicks***  Sydney Grace Hill***  Molly M'Ledge Marie Holmes***  Sutton Hughes***  Abigail Keenan Kerr*  Rachel Marie Krumtum*  Callee-Scout Love** 

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Human Services Advocate Sheronda Tanish Peyton*** 

Solomon Anthony McKenley***  Kaylee M. McKinney***  Kaitlyn Anne McNeely*  Autumn Nicole Moncrief  William Turner Monk*  Audrey Curran Moss*

Practical Nursing Mekesha Nicole Baldwin

Emily Maria DiMattia Payton Ariel Dorton Alexis Paige Fields Anne Fliszar April Renee Gomez Rebekah Ruth Hollyfield Hannah Rain Justus* Meredith B. Knight Alexandria Lee Lefler* Haley Reed Lester Alison Faith Morgan* Rhiannah Elizabeth Mumpower Rebecca Nowak Kaylin Kamille Pete Emily Ruth Powers Jessica Nicole Smith* Danielle Renee Thomas** Emily M. Thomas Angelia Marie Walls-Smith Tiffanie Leighanne Warren

Ta'Niyah Dae Newton***  Diedra Leigh Ann Nunley Randi Lauren Osborne*** Emily Elizabeth Page***  William Lewis Purifoy**  Noah Michael Ratliff***  JonAlan David Richardson  Grace Anne Rose*** Φ  Gavin Ross Roulett***  Josie Ava Short***  Dianna Grace Spence***  Nathan Samuel Spurling***  Bailey Thomas*** 

Kiersten Taylor Vossen  Grace Ann Wampler***  Maria Ester Gomes de Olivera Wilson***  Mason Avery Wright*

Health Sciences Jessica J. Akerboom** Faith Delaney Ayers* Carrie Leigh-Ann Clark MaKaLa Amber Cruey Lorna Dawn Taylor Cullop Ashley Faith DeBord* McKenzie Alyse Ford** Kourtney Renee Gamble Anna Metz Honaker*** Amanda Faith Jackson

Kristen Breanna Wise Regina Rose Widener Olivia Woods* Shawn Mark Wright

CAREER STUDIES CERTIFICATE Advanced Early Childhood Education Krista Helena Surber also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Early Childhood Education Career Studies Certificate, Child Development

Shanna Denise Alexander Lyon** Miranda Elaine McGlocklin*** Φ Makenna Poe** Priscilla Val Thomas Bethannie RoseAnna Wagoner**

Advanced Precision Machining Jade Barrett Daniel Ryan McQueary

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Advanced Welding Nathan Andrew Barlow also receiving

Skylar Brooke Thomas also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Ward Riley Thornton III also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Samuel L. White also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Gabriel Alexander Whited also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding

Career Studies Certificate, Welding Cooper Brannon Mykel Bibbins also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Brady Giles Bishop also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Chase Seivers Dixon also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Colton Lane Dye also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Jayson Craig Harper also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Dylan Jackson also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Johnny Hunter Johnson also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Lillian Ava Hamilton Jones also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Austin Samuel Litton also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Isiah Thomas Matthews also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Payton Lee Meade also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Roger Ryan Mullins also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Isaiah Matthew Rangel also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding William Derek Roberts also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding Cameron Andrew Saltz also receiving Career Studies Certificate, Welding

American Sign Language Diana Virginia Craig Monica Lynn Frank Tabetha M. Jennings

Culinary Arts

Madison Childress

Cyber Security Aidan Tyler Elliott Jacob Trivitt

Diesel Mechanic Jesse Billy Kade Blevins Darren Wade Collins

KeSean S. Goins Evan Noah Miller Ryan Millinger Gary Waylon Mullins Raymond Edward Rodriguez

Austin W. Thompson Christopher R. Tickle Dakota E. Trinkle

Emergency Medical Technician Tina M. Bunnell Dillan Corey Powers Sr.

Medical Assisting

Kiana Chandler Buskill Ashley Denise Canter

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Small Business Management Aylin Karolina Ashton Φ Substance Abuse Counselor - Assistant James William Almaroad Jr. Diana Lynn Thornbury Calton Φ Asiah Rhea Corsano  Luther Havens Rebecca Dianne Smith-Rangel Φ Jason Pierce Hardy St. Clair

Bethany Paige Davis Ava Pauline Farmer Pamela Fulton Hannah M. Hanshew Kaitlyn Emma Paige McGrady

Alyssa Jade Milhorne Leigh Coker Mullinax Samantha Lynn Musick Kimberly Anne Odham Laura Louise Roark Logan Faith Singleton Samantha Ruth Steffey Priscilla Jade Surber

Fleisha J. Woelkers Ginger Lee Woods Malissa A. Yingling

Welding

Medical Coding Specialist Britany Elaine Rose Alarcon Pamela Bledsoe Rebekah Dobbs Jenny Hess Chassidy Paige Hughes Brandy Leigh Sexton Sawyer

Benjamin Ritterbusch Bailey Aspen Wise

Melissa A. Smithson Jazmin Faith Sturgill Hannah Sierra Williams

Nurse Aide

Alex Jasper Burrell Samantha Danielle Mays

Practical Electrical Technician Michael Dakota Baker

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 2021. 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.

Jessie James Bowman  Dylan Baylee Haynes  Daniel Clark Martin  Ethan Wayne Medley  Joseph Hunter Powers  Coty Lee Smith  Austin Cole Stacy  Augustus James Vencill  Joseph Henery Widener 

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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 2022 by celebrating this major milestone with graduating students, their family members, and friends.

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Commencement Speakers

Autumn (Maddie) Moore Associate of Arts and Sciences in Education – Specialization in Teacher Preparation

A deep love of the outdoors and living things has served as the foundation for Maddie Moore’s passion for agriculture. A native of Meadowview and a 2020 graduate of Holston High School, Moore began her formal involvement in the agricultural community in middle school, and culminated with recently serving as the State Vice President for Virginia Future Farmers of America (FFA). As State Vice President, Moore says that she “traveled all over the state to teach middle and high school students about leadership, career and technical opportunities, agriculture, and FFA.” When Moore isn’t studying, she enjoys volunteering, serving at her church, drawing and painting, and working several part-time jobs including one in child care. Moore plans to transfer to Virginia Tech to pursue an advanced degree in agriculture sciences so she can become an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. Serving in this role, Moore says, will allow her to “help connect individuals with the importance of food and where it comes from and how central agriculture is to life.” Moore’s advice and encouragement to fellow graduates is “your education is one of the most important things in your life…so you choose the route you want to go, the time you need for the journey, and the people you travel it alongside.” Christian Gonzalez Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology and Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Technology – Specialization in Energy Technology Education has always been a priority for Christian Gonzalez of Saltville. While attending Northwood High School, he secured enough college credits to earn both a high school diploma and his first college degree from Virginia Highlands upon graduation from Northwood in 2019. Gonzalez was raised in a culturally rich household – a blend of American and Mexican influences – and credits this environment as being a great blessing in his life. In reference to his belief in service to others, Gonzalez says, “I attend church regularly and try to help my church family to the best of my abilities.” When not on campus, Gonzalez may be found enjoying some of his favorite hobbies including playing baseball and slow-pitch softball, biking, fishing, side-by-side riding, and trying new foods. An entrepreneur at heart, Gonzalez enjoys mowing and landscaping through his growing lawn care operation, and plans to sit for his journeyman license this summer to expand his business offerings. In offering words of advice to the graduating class of 2022, Gonzalez says to “never give up, always ask questions, don't be afraid of failing, and always take advantage of opportunities because you may never get them again.”

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Commencement Speakers (continued)

Amy Greer Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Amy Greer of Glade Spring is dedicated to the nursing profession that she will join upon graduation from Virginia Highlands. Greer is a 2005 graduate of Chilhowie High School and has always been an advocate for cancer awareness, research, and patient care through her service with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life program. In 2015, however, Greer’s advocacy became a personal passion when her daughter was diagnosed with cancer at the age of seven. The Greer family spent many months at St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee, where she says that her daughter was “cared for by the highest caliber of health care providers, and is the drive behind my desire to make even the smallest difference in the lives of the patients I will soon serve.” As Greer looks forward to graduation from nursing school, she boasts that her daughter is now a healthy teenager. Greer has plans to continue her education, with the long-term goal of becoming a family nurse practitioner. As words of reflection for the class of 2022, Greer says, “our first impressions have evolved into lasting memories, strangers have become family, and we are in a unique situation to be trail blazers for the future.”

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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.