Submitted photoMCC practical nursing program students Bailey Pickett, 20, left, and Joshua Laws, 19, both of Meridian, get instructions from Associate Dean of Students Services Sander Atkinson as the students pick up their graduation gowns and mortar boards in preparation for Friday's graduation ceremony.

Meridian Community College is scheduled to graduate a record fall class of 293 students at 3 p.m. Friday at the Temple Theater.

MCC Dean of Student Services Soraya Welden said the previous record of 247 was established in 2011. The number is 70 higher than the 2016 fall class, Welden said.

The commencement follows pinning ceremonies for its Licensed Practical Nurse and Associated Degree Nursing programs scheduled at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.

MCC holds three commencement programs each school year in December, May and August. The spring commencement in May is traditionally the biggest, according to the school, but Welden said in long times past the 293 graduating Friday would have been “a goodly number even for the spring.” In the aggregate, MCC has been more recently averaging about 900 graduates for the entire school year, according to the school.

“We are elated over the increasing number of students who finish what they started at MCC,” President Scott Elliott said in a statement. “It’s a theme that we have been emphasizing at MCC for several years now, and it’s obvious that our students are more readily embracing the value of the degrees and certifications delivered by community colleges. That’s an exciting phenomenon to observe.”

Students participating in the program include Jennifer Martin (health care assistant) offering the invocation, Delaney Davidson (university transfer) delivering the official welcome, and T’Keya Brown (medical office management technology) closing with a benediction, according to MCC. Olivia Vaughn, a member of the college chorus, will perform a solo selection and lead the audience in the MCC alma mater.

“Circle of Excellence” students who have been nominated by faculty for their achievements academically and in community service activities will be named at the ceremony.