Though Friday the 13th has always been considered unlucky that turned out to be not so as scholars were applauded and rewarded during Meridian Community College’s commencement ceremonies held Friday in the Evangel Temple.

“I think this has been a very lucky day for the graduates,” said MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott as he addressed one of two audiences for the spring commencement. Friday’s ceremonies – one for graduates in the Associate Degree Nursing Program and in the Health Care Assistant Program and the other for the other 26 programs – marked the second-largest graduating class in the College’s 79-year history with some 495 students applying for graduation. 

Tapped for the Ivy scholarships were Thomas Walter Harrington of Houston; Emily Brooke Williams of Meridian; and Ian DeWitt Garner of Collinsville, all education majors. Named as Phil Hardin Scholars were Joshua Cash Matlock of Meridian and Esmeralda Rodriguez of Oxford. Matlock plans study broadcasting; Rodriguez plans to study mathematics.

The memory of Dr. H.M. Ivy, the founding father of MCC, is perpetuated through the awarding of these scholarships that are funded from an endowment established by the Phil Hardin Foundation. Ivy Scholars are selected on the basis of academic excellence, extra-curricular participation, financial need and faculty appraisals. All three recipients received $2,000 for their junior year of study, and provided their academic excellence continues, $2,000 awards for their senior year of study.

The Phil Hardin Foundation scholarships, $5,000 each, pay tribute to the former Meridian businessman, Phil Hardin, and his philanthropic endeavors in support of education. A businessman with a genius for marketing, he built the Hardin Bakeries Corp. into a highly successful business with locations in Meridian, Jackson, Tupelo and Columbus. Hardin also had a strong sense of the importance of the corporation to be a good citizen and responsible member of those communities.

Also during the graduations, 43 outstanding graduates were selected as members of the College’s Circle of Excellence. These graduates were chosen on the basis of scholarship, leadership, spirit and service.

Named to Circle of Excellence were Carson Tucker, Emily Brooke Williams, Elisabeth Nicole Able, Tori Kay Wolverton, Anna K. James, Megan E. Mallette, Grant Everett renegar, Phillip Gregory Womack, Daniel R. Ray, Jason M. McCans, Joshua S. Johnson, Mary Katherine Nelson, Alexis Gail Rivers, Sam Davis Hudnall, Paige N. Gibson, Kristen Paige Hull, Shamiah B. Sims, Joshua Cash Matlock, Jordana Hart, Emily A. Paul and Daniel A. Hill, all of Meridian; Allison Rea Dallas, Morgan Bethany Wall, John Aaron Ricks, Ian D. Garner and Fisher Wayne Gray, all of Collinsville; Jessica De Crevitt and Michael Meyers, both of Lauderdale; Sophie Elizabeth Hodge of Toomsuba; Jami Lynn Daugherty of Bailey; Christie Presley of Shuqualak; Olivia J. Herrington of Philadelphia; Thomas Walter Harrington of Houston; Emilio M. Luna-Suarez of Union; Chanler Delinn Pickering of Laurel; Alana Holli Sanders of Lake; Baylor Anderson Obert of Madison; Esmerelda Rodriguez of Oxford; Emilee A. Cox of Forest; Adrianna Nichole Mendoza of Gautier; and Tyler Eason Weeks of Brandon; Matthew William Berler of Birmingham, Ala.; and Steven Wayne Pamplin of Hamburg, Ark.

 

Candidates for MCC’s May 2016 graduation include:

Jami Lynn Daugherty, Jamie Lynn Murray and Jordan Catherine Vick, all of Bailey; Clayton A. Gray of Baldwyn; Jaylon Keys of Bay Springs; Phong Thanh Le of Biloxi; Matthew William Berler of Birmingham, Ala.; Anna Michael Lewis, Kyle Scott Bayles, Megan E. Mallette, Nasrin S. Redd, Adam Hoover, Tyler Eason Weeks and Vernita Johnson, all of Brandon; Clydarian A. McGill of Buckatunna; Kendraia Trinae Tyson of Butler, Ala.; Maleeka Denise Harris of Canton; Melissa J. Ferrill Floyd and Victoria Marie Becerra, both of Carriere; Allison Coleman Crawford, Chiquita Giles, DeRondrick Levon Harris, JaDarius Da’Montae Scott and Kursten Nicole Watkins, all of Carthage; Demarius Laquez Calvert of Cedarbluff; Kendall L. Williams and Raymond Wilson of Choctaw; Martha Lynn Haguewood of Chunky; Alden C. Hartlery and Chiquita Loving, both of Clinton; Reagan N. Dupre of College Station, Texas; Allison Rea Dallas, Amy Caroline Calhoun, Ashley Adams, Ashley J. Johnson, Brandon Travis Prince, Brooklee Paige Akin, Carly C. Novak, Carolyn L. Rutledge, Chloe Ashton Roddie, Christopher Logan Hudnall, Dallas G. Smith, Dalton G. Davidson, Deshayla Kensha Bohannon, Fisher Wayne Gray, Guy W. Rawson, Haley E. Sullivan, Hannah Ward, Ian D. Garner, James Robert Scanlon, Janetta Roshelle Fortner, Jason L. McPherson, Jessica Leanne Sager, Jessie Carol Cagle, John Aaron Ricks, Katherine Winstead, Kayla M. Williamson, Lauren Kristin Cook, Mandy Summer Dawn Mayatte, Morgan Bethany Wall, Pete A. Rivera, Sarah Madison Overby, Shakera Simone Spencer, Steven Giles, Steven Levi Buck, Veronica Nicole Stewart, William K. Baucum and Hunter D. Mullis, all of Collinsville;

Denissa Denae Tubby of Conehatta; Jared Wimberly Overby of Crystal Springs; Samuel Grey Butler of Cumberland; James L. Horton, Kevin J. Hatcher and Sam Davis Hudnall, all of Daleville; Amisha S. Sudberry, Arshaela Jenee’ Bailey, Bettina Louise Bohannon, Brianna Lee McKie, Marvin Trevell Odom and Shawna Marie Jenkins, all of DeKalb; Casey R. Herrington, Clarence Richard Blocker, Erica A. Mosley, Haley S. Moulds, Jessica Nicole Welborn, Justin Markham McCoy and Matthew Caleb Bohl, all of Enterprise; Victoria N. Riebock of Florence; Adrien Marie Gardner and Amy Lennise Randolph, both of Flowood; Allison Paige Alford, Brandon William Arinder, Dequita Tewanda Williams, Emilee A. Coxand Gayla Brianne Deese, all of Forest; Adrianna Nichole Mendoza and Jamila M. Swopes, both of Gautier; Melanie LaKelsie McDowell of Gloster; Kashield Shawnta Shaw of Greenville; Darryl Louis Barrett of Greenwood; Hayden Thomas Grier of Gulfport; Andrea Buckley, Jarrod Edward Gant, Sherry Delane Weeks and Tameka Lashun Brown, all of Hattiesburg; Christopher Mark Lewis of Helflin, La.; Bethany Riley of Heidelberg; Dalton K. Smith of Hernando; Daniella Diaz of Hickory; Josie Markisha Anderson and Thomas Walter Harrington, both of Houston; Adrianna Michelle James, Angelia Seals Brakefield, Brandi Helom, Kendra N. Smith, Lakysha Danielle Parker, Lashonda S. Cousin, Maria Balona Turcal, Melody Caprice Jones, Paris Wheaton, Shaemik Harris and Shanta A. Bridges, all of Jackson; DeVantre Stan-Morris Young of Kennesaw, Ga.; Christopher D. Rimmer of Kosciusko; Alana Holli Sanders, Allison Brooke Edmonds, Camron Cornelous Middleton and Jessica Ashton Parker, all of Lake; Abigail Faith Pankhurst, Amy N. Norton, Andrew Barrett Rhaly, Brandon D. Bland, James Tyler Dodd, Jessica De Crevitt, Laturina Denise Silliman, Michael Meyers and T’kila Porchanna Anthony, all of Lauderdale; Alexander H. Pippen, April Hosey-Page, Catrina L. Wilson, Chanler Delinn Pickering and Geravia L. Lane, all of Laurel; Vivian Johnson of Livingston, Ala.; Adrienne Elyse Brown of Long Beach; Amanda Leigh Walters of Louin; Latisha Alize Eiland of Louisville; Chasity Brianna Shepherd of Lucedale; Derek L. Cunningham and Teres C. Chandler, both of Maben; Amille Diesha Cheatham, Camille N. Cheatham, Catrina Tierra Barber, Daffney Smith, Jamille T. Cheatham and Lakeshia Verdell, all of Macon; Baylor Anderson Obert, James Garrison Jones and Trace Gregory Hamby, all of Madison; Tiffany Johnson of Mantee; Eric Deshun Sims and Nathaniel B. Carstafhnur and Princess Ariel Hudson, all of Marion; Forrest Bryson Penton of McComb; Abby Jo Nester, Ada Mae Lewis, Albert Stefon Stevens, Aleisha DeAnna Atterberry, Alexis Gail Rivers, Amber Leigh Harrold, Andrea L. Palmer, Angela Francien Davis, Angela Shantel Chaney, Anita Jo Nosco, Anna K. James, Ashley Marie Busby, Ashley Nicole Peden, Ashley Nikkia Smith, Ashly N. Miljenovich, Beau Thomas Corella, Benjamin Taylor McGraw, Bethany Christina Smith, Billy R Cole, Brandon Lovell Elkins, Brandon R. Robinson, Breanna L. Marrell, Brent Colby Donald, Brittany Nicole Allen, Brittney Nicole Tims, Byron Fabrizio Salazar, Calvin D. Bennett, Cambria Lynn Demchak, Cameron V. Seaphus, Candice Renee Tanksley, Chavon Shaunte’ Denham, Christa Ann Brubaker, Christian Wilkins, Christiana F. Williams, Christopher Duane Ford, Ciera Tiresha Roberta Fortner, Cody Scott Shirley, Colby S. Snowden, Colton Gage Ramey, Conchita Latoya Dunn, Cordarius R. Coleman, Cordelia Johnson Brown, Corey Rayshun Cole, Dana Lorraine Thames, Dana Renay Taylor, Daneisha M. Emerson, Daniel Aaron Lane, Daniel Joyner Anderson, Daniel L. Hill, Daniel R. Ray, Danielle Nap, Danielle Vanetten, Darius Jamal Dean, Deacon Colby Lewis, Debbie Alene Bivens, Delisha Latrice McClelland, Denise Williams, Devin A. Logue, Diamond Dyshae Manuel, Duane Marcel Emerson, Dustin Avery James, Dustin C. Gault, Edith Dawn Barker, Elisabeth Nicole Abel, Emily A. Paul, Emily Brooke Williams, Emily Kristen Polk, Eric C. DuBoise, Eric Lee Alford, Ericka G. Castillo, Fabian De’Von Mason, Garrett Wade Slay, Guntar Navas, Hannah Leigh Williams, Harley R. Todd, Heather Michelle Dearing, Heather R. Harwell, Holly Lynn Howard, Hunter W. Smith, Iesha J. Gully, Ingram Mac Yates, Isaac Earl Washington, JaBari VanQuez Foster, Jahylun J. Womack, Jalen D. Gordon, James Derrick Smith, James Devin Richardson, Jaquan Lavontai Purnell, Jared Austin Turner, Jason Jerome Boyd, Jason M. McCans, Jeffery Eugene Young, Jeffry L. Tingle, Jerry Christopher Hooks, Jessica Ann Clearman, Jessica J. Lewis, Jordana Hart, Joseph E. Boyd, Joshua Cash Matlock, Joshua S. Johnson, Joshua Stephen Hall Acosta, Juanye’ M. Lomax, Justin D. Grant, Justin D. Roberson, Justin Wayne Mayo, Kalynne Diane Bracey, Kandra R. Key, Katelyn Hedgepeth, Katherine Brooke Breland, Katherine Frances Johns, Katherine L. Manno, Katrina L. Dove, Keatron Daryll Butler, Keith Wayne Lester, Kennedy Victoria Cummings, Kenneth James Patton, Keondria Rashelle Knox, Kiana Rashal Hanible, Kiera Shields, Kimbreyanna Morris, Kissy Watkins, Krista Lakesh Kelly, Kristen Paige Hull, Kristin DeAnn Mathis, Kristopher Steven Jones, Krystal Lynn Lundy, Kyle A. Stiefel, Kyler Hubbard, Kylie Taylor Smith, LaJames Shondrae Griffin, LaPorsha Lasha Lewis, Lequincy M. Kimbrough, Logan Darrald Miller, Logan Rae Satterfield, Lydia Cook, Lynette Nave, Madison Abigail Bradley, Malaeshia Love, Mallorie Nicole Suire, Maria Jose Fox, Marjie Ashe Seal, Marlena Morris, Mary Katherine Nelson, Mia E. Pittman, Michael Holton Thomas, Michelle Call, Miranda Lynn Chatham, Miranda Madison Williams, Miya Ny-e Spencer, Morgan L. Ratcliff, Myron Jemale Longmire, Nichelle Nicole Freeze, Nicole M. Johnson, Paige N. Gibson, Phillip Gregory Womack, Prinston Jamez Pritchard, Qasim K. Banks, Quacie L. Jordan, Randi Marie Allen, Reed Lewis Kasper, Robert Auston Thomas, Robin Earlisha McNeil, Ronita S. Thomas, Ryan Gregory Lane, Sabrina Renee’ Mathews, Sakeria Fielder, Samantha Renee Crawford, Samuel Dennis Jennings, Samuel Harvin Upchurch, Sara B. Shedd, Sarah Louise Eubanks, Sentoria B. Smith, Shamiah B. Sims, Shandorean B. Jones, Sharon Merchant, Shaun Michael Bickford, Shelby T. Powell, Shelea Sims, Simone L. Sanders, Sondra Rochell Patton, Spencer Jermaine Ivy, Stephanie Dawn Mimbs, Steven Wayne Pamplin, Takeema Shaunta Ludgood, Tara Leigh Robinson, Tasha Lashunda Taylor, Taylor Brooke Davidson, Tequilla Roberts, Terence Lavon Naylor, Theodore James Goodwin, Timothy Ford, Timothy Maurice Altman, Tisha Koehn, Tonje C. Willis, Tori Kay Wolverton, Tracey Lynne Greene, Troy Douglas Carter, Tucker H. Clark, Turner Jamaal Alford, Tyosha Bianca Hill, Victoria Lane Hasson, Vidal Hubbard, Wayne Levi Wedgworth, Wendy M. Daly, Zachary L. Moulds and Zakia I. Drane, all of Meridian; Matthew Bryan Kittrell of Millry, Ala.; Carson Gillian Tucker of Mize; Elaine Simpson of Moorhead; Santa Marie Runnels of Morton; Courtney LaShaun Lett and Tyrus De’Shun Hill, both of Moss Point; Danuel Ryan Talbert, Debbie Lynn Godwin, Sandra E. McIntosh and Unqurie Smith, all of Newton; Dillon Tate Womble of Noxapater; Esmeralda Rodriguez of Oxford; Andrew George Dudley of Pantersville, Ala.; Ashley Bishop Vance of Pelahatchie; Drew P. Smith of Petal; Quincy Arkez Dixon of Phenix City, Ala.; Amanda Nichole Anthony, Austin T. Harrison, Avery Tywon Butler, Brianna G. Spears, Chelsea Alysse Pierce, Elizabeth Land Latimer, Graham B. Lewis, Hailey D. Pope, Joel Ethan Sistrunk, Joshua Lee Coleman, Kenji Brown, Myra Cecelia Carter, Olivia J. Herrington, Timeshia Marie Griffin and Yue X. Lu, all of Philadelphia; Summer M. Stockstill and Valencia Deanna Bell, both of Picayune; Alexis Renee Harris of Powder Springs, Ga.; Felicia Alfredia Ball and Richard M. Carballo, both of Prentiss; Ashley N. Boykin, Autumn Belle McCoy, Brandon Colby Evans, Brian Dale Kennedy, Charandle T. Sumrall, Dquante Tyshaundarius Devonta Evans, Dylan L. Taylor, Gary Allan Murphy, George A. Sellers, Heather D. Williamson, Jhamir DeJuan Davis, Johnny Lee Bourdeaux, Kelsey C. Lucas, Michael Tyler Booker, Ronald Glen Holloway, Tyler Matthew Culpepper and William Byron Kemp, all of Quitman; Lashana M. Stevens of Rose Hill; Dillon Thomas Joiner of Saucier; Jalisha L. Spencer, Jasmine Lashae Brown, Sanket D. Patel and Lee Rigdon, all of Scooba; Sarah Elizabeth Smith of Seminary; Glendriquez Markeize Terrell, Quentin Montrel Gates and William Colby Avera, all of Shubuta; Christie Presley of Shuqualak; Bonnie Hathaway and Essie S. Byrd, both of Silas, Ala.; La’Shay Dominique Morris of Spring, Texas; Taylor Ashley McCary of Stateline; Courtney Elaine Banes, Jonathan B. Robinson and Rikita Shantae Brown, all of Stonewall; Grant Everett Renegar of Summit; Terrance J Johnson of Thibodaux, La.; Aaron Burnell Adams, Bailee A. Vargas, Charity Hopson, Hannah F. Gordon, Kathryn Winfield, Kody Brooks Cullum, Leah Elaine Allison, Sophie Elizabeth Hodge, Vanlecia Marie Miller and William Rose, all of Toomsuba; April Lynn Bayliss, Barbara Ann Holiday, Dezaraye Alexandra Bozeman, Emilio M. Luna-Suarez, Joshua Deandre Evans, Kelsie Herrington and Sylvia A, Shannon, all of Union; Christian C. Brown and Kawanda L. Wilson, both of Vickburg; Cameron Mason Wade and Jerrica N. Frazier, both of Vossburg; Audrey Teneil Alexander and Megan Elizabeth Thaggard, both of Walnut Grove; Carrie Diana Overstreet, Keontae S. Williamson, Keyerria Kaweshia Gulley, Krystal McLain, Natalie S. Tatum and Shana Bonner, all of Waynesboro; Chaquencia Briana Sturdivant, Danielle Elaine Wood, JaCorey Bernard Drake and Michael Winfield Pringle, all of York, Ala.