Celebrating Local Achievements: Over 360 Graduates Honored at Sampson Community College's Spring Commencement

On May 9, 2024, Sampson Community College (SCC) held its fifty-seventh spring commencement at the Sampson County Exposition Center in Clinton, N.C. The event celebrated over 360 graduates in two sessions. The first session at 4PM honored graduates from Applied Science programs, and the second at 7PM recognized those from College Transfer programs. The graduating class included nearly 300 traditional degree and diploma recipients, 24 Career & College Promise (CCP) graduates, and 43 graduates from Sampson Early College High School (SECHS).

The ceremony began with the National Anthem, sung by Meagan Sessoms, the Student Government Association (SGA) Advisor. The academic procession was led by 2024 Academic Marshals Reece Bailey, Lensey Cabral, Deryck Hidalgo, Brenna Kammerman, Joshua Lupo, Julissa Ramirez, and Tyler Ward. Dr. Bill Starling, President of SCC, and Dr. Ted Thomas, Chair of the Board of Trustees, both gave welcoming speeches.

The keynote speech was delivered by J. Donald Matthis II, a local attorney and SCC alumnus. Matthis discussed his educational path from SCC's diesel mechanics program to earning degrees in Accountancy and Law. He spoke about using periods of uncertainty as opportunities for growth. His speech highlighted the college's role in his personal and professional development.

Matthis encouraged the graduates to see SCC as a foundation for ongoing learning and growth. He reiterated the college's motto, 'Begin Here, Grow Here, Go Anywhere,' emphasizing the supportive community at SCC.

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