Wayne Community College’s summer and fall curriculum graduates turned their tassels at the December graduation ceremony surrounded by their family, friends, and instructors.
A total of 492 graduates earned 761 degrees, diplomas, and certificates, and 123 of those graduates walked across the stage during the fall commencement ceremony at the Maxwell Center.
Braxton Miranda graduated with an associate in arts degree during the ceremony and was excited to complete a major milestone in his life. “It feels pretty great to graduate. It’s a good accomplishment,” he shared.
Miranda enjoyed his experience at WCC, reflecting on the personal relationships he gained at the tight-knit school. “You know all the teachers, they know you, and it’s just a great community,” he said. Miranda is considering obtaining a bachelor’s degree and is interested in working in project management.
Kortney Scheuer, who earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education, made the most of her time at WCC as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and by working at the WCC child care center. “It’s very exciting,” she said about graduating. “My experience at WCC has been awesome. The teachers have really helped. I didn’t think I was going to make it, and they really helped me push through.”
Scheuer plans to pursue a teaching career in the public school system and is interested in continuing her education. “I’m going to keep going, slowly but surely, for my master’s,” she said.
Gaby Rivera was the event’s student speaker. She described the WCC community as inclusive, supportive, and gracious. “These people have become my family,” she said. “Not only did they make me feel welcome, but they opened so many doors for me and my friends. They encouraged me to do things that I never thought I would be able to do.”
Rivera, who received an associate in arts degree during the ceremony, spoke of how WCC felt like home to her and was supportive both academically and personally. “Everyone on this campus is so supportive of your decisions and your dreams. I know I always have people here to pick me back up and lead me in the right direction,” she said.
WCC President Patty Pfeiffer encouraged the graduates to acknowledge the significance of their graduation day. “Walking across this stage signifies the perseverance and determination you had to push through the obstacles with the end goal in mind,” she said. “I want to personally extend my most sincere congratulations to each of you on this tremendous, noteworthy accomplishment.”
About Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves around 10,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 150 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.