Some 200 students will receive Associate Degrees and  certificates when Meridian Community College holds its annual fall commencement services at the Temple Theater Friday afternoon. The program will begin at 3 p.m., under the direction of MCC Dean of Student Services Soraya Welden.

    MCC holds three commencement programs each school year in December, May and August. Welden characterized the fall class as a “goodly number.”

    “Our biggest commencement program each year is, of course, the spring class,” she noted, “but this is a pretty good number for the fall.”

    Several high-achieving students will be featured in the program. LaToya Kelley, a health care assistant program graduate, will deliver the invocation followed by an official welcome by Kelly Goszkowicz, an Associate Degree Nursing graduate. Special music will be provided by MCC Choir member Cody McDonald, who will perform a solo and also lead the audience at the program’s end in the singing of the college’s ala mater.

    The benediction will be offered by Crystal Toole, a graduate in the university transfer track.

    Seven students will also be inducted into the college’s “Circle of Excellence.” To be named to the Circle, a student must be nominated by a faculty member and have amassed a record of academic achievement and community service.

    “Commencement is the highlight of any semester,” said Dr. Scott Elliott, 19-year MCC president, “because it is a time when we have the opportunity to honor students who have finished what they started, and that’s foundational to anyone’s success throughout life.”

    Elliott noted that MCC faculty and staff work hard at promoting graduating, as witnessed by MCC having the highest graduation rate among the state’s 15 community colleges.

    “Among the many things we’re proud of at MCC,” Elliott added, “I would point to our graduation rate and the grade point average our students achieve upon transfer to universities among the highlights. And those two things are directly attributable to the quality of instruction offered by our superlative faculty at MCC and the support services delivered by our dedicated staff.”

    Prior to the commencement program, pinning ceremonies will be held at the Temple Theater for MCC’s Licensed Practical Nursing graduates at 9:30 a.m. and its Associate Degree Nursing graduates at 11 a.m.