The multipurpose building at Piedmont Technical College was the setting for the culmination of many dreams for the more than 300 Piedmont Technical College graduates who took center stage in two commencement ceremonies.

Dr. Ray Brooks, president, welcomed graduates, family and guests to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates.

“We have student speakers because that is the focus of this college – our students,” Brooks said. “We are here tonight to celebrate learning and achievement.”

Brooks was followed by the commencement speakers. The afternoon address for Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, business and information technology, public service, industrial and engineering technology graduates was delivered by three graduating students – Jessica Hill, a human services graduate from Greenwood; Gregory Stewart, an Associate in Arts major from Newberry; and Josh Wooten, an electronic engineering technology graduate from Greenwood.

Hill encouraged her fellow graduates to take the strong foundation of persistence, training and communication skills they received at Piedmont Tech as they continue on their journey.

“Though these skills may have not been easy [to obtain], I am sure we are forever grateful for the opportunity of learning,” she said. “I stand before you today to say make sure you continue to step over the rocks and wipe the sweat as we continue on our journey.”

Stewart implored all of the graduates to have a vision to effect positive change in their communities, homes, state and nation.

“We should always remember the journey we began here at Piedmont Tech that has afforded us all the chance to be successful in the careers we choose and to develop into people who contribute something positive to society,” Stewart said.

Wooten said he started as a student who spent five semesters at a small Georgia college with no idea what he wanted to do with his life.

“The real difference between Piedmont Technical College and my first experience at college is me,” he said. “With passion and vision, there is nothing you can’t accomplish.”

Speakers during the evening ceremony for health science and nursing graduates were Frederick Moore, an associate degree nursing major from Abbeville; and Cheryl Wilson, a surgical technology graduate from Greenwood.

Moore shared his experiences as a Marine recruit on Parris Island and the importance of being focused on overcoming any obstacles.

“Because I ignored the distraction, because I kept my eye on my goal, practiced the technique and followed the instruction given, I was successful,” he said. Because we have ignored the distractions, because we have stuck to the technique, listened to the instruction given and kept our eyes on the goal, we now sit here tonight on the other end of this obstacle successfully.”

Wilson challenged the graduates to use the same enthusiasm and vigor they had as successful students for the care of their patients.

“Let’s make sure we make the caring and compassionate connection with all of our patients,” she said. “The patients need to know that not only are we doing the best at our job, but that we really do care about their feelings and well-being.”

Piedmont Technical College’s Aaugust 2012 graduates and their areas of study are listed below:

Little Mountain – Michelle Bunn Bedenbaugh, certificate in patient care technician; Barbara A. Grant, certificate in patient care technician; and Tracy Newton, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

Newberry – Craig Marcel Austin Sr., associate in arts; Lydia Delora Booker, associate in applied science, major in building construction technology; **Christopher Lee Brooks, associate in applied science, major in electronic engineering technology; Erin Michelle Connolly, associate in applied science, major in early care and education; Christopher Creel, associate in applied science, major in general business, business management concentration; Jennifer Leigh Dorn, associate in applied science, major in nursing; Meagan Renee Frick, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; **Corey M. Graham, associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; Frank D. Hare, associate in applied science, major in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology; Earth P. Jeter, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical concentration; Shelby Ann Johnson, diploma in applied science, major in medical assisting; Natasha Yvette Kinard, associate in applied science, major in general technology, medical assisting concentration; *Meredith L. Leslie, associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology; *Geovese McKnight, associate in applied science, major in general business, business management concentration; Patricia A. Sheppard, diploma in applied science, major in surgical technology; Gregory L. Stewart, associate in arts; *Crystal M. Tarver, associate in applied science, major in human services; Maryann Thompson, associate in applied science, major in respiratory care; Theresa E. Turner, certificate in patient care technician; ***Donna S. Vincent, certificate in accounting; *Bryan Charles Waldrop, associate in applied science, major in computer technology, Internet concentration; and **Alaina N. Wood, associate in arts.

Pomaria – Nancee Alvarez-Livingston, certificate in patient care technician.

Prosperity – Amber Lynn Bensley, certificate in patient care technician; Richard S. Cates II, certificate in mechanical engineering transfer; Samantha Cook, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing; Leigh Ann Miller, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; *Robin Morris, associate in applied science, major in administrative office technology, medical coding/billing concentration; **Tiffany Ann Riddle, associate in applied science, major in respiratory care; and Savanna LaCons Sutphin, diploma in applied science, major in practical nursing.

Silverstreet – *Megan Emily Skinner, associate in applied science, major in horticulture technology.

Whitmire – Joshua S. Corley, associate in applied science, major in electronic engineering technology; Frederick Lamar Higgins Sr., associate in applied science, major in industrial electronics technology/major in mechatronics technology; Amanda Littleton Jenkins, diploma in applied science, major in medical assisting; Jessica Deane Prince, associate in applied science, major in nursing; and Amanda J. Stone, certificate in patient care technician.

***Summa Cum Laude-4.0 **Magna Cum Laude-3.75-3.99 *Cum Laude-3.5-3.74

Piedmont Tech shares in the well-deserved pride our graduates feel in their accomplishments. To meet the printing deadlines required for production of the program and to maximize use of graduates’ names in area media, information is compiled a minimum of two weeks in advance of commencement exercises. For that reason, names of students who fail to meet graduation requirements may be included. Conversely, names of students who met those requirements after the print deadline may be omitted. We regret any embarrassment or inconvenience these schedules may cause.