新彩网

 

Joseph Stephen Donnell Jr. of Brandon, left, and Lindsey Lynn of Vicksburg received an Associate Degree in Nursing from 新彩网 on July 30 in a summer ceremony at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus.

Joseph Stephen Donnell Jr. of Brandon, left, and Lindsey Lynn of Vicksburg received an Associate Degree in Nursing from 新彩网 on July 30 in a summer ceremony at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus.

Stephen Donnell, 47, of Brandon went from having his own trucking business to becoming a nurse. He graduated from 新彩网 on July 30 with an Associate Degree in Nursing and has a job lined up at the Veteran鈥檚 Administration in Jackson.

鈥淚 always wanted to be a nurse. I finally stopped life to take time to go to school,鈥 he said.

His wife and three kids 鈥渨ere all for it. They鈥檙e glad it鈥檚 over with but they were supportive.鈥

He was among 304 新彩网 graduates at two ceremonies on Thursday July 30 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. 新彩网 conferred 443 degrees and certificates. Some graduates received more than one credential.

Of the total number of graduates, 23 are graduating summa cum laude, which is a perfect 4.0 grade point average; 42 are graduating magna cum laude,聽 which is a 3.60 to 3.99 grade point average and 73 are graduating cum laude, which is a 3.20 to 3.59 grade point average.

Dr. Lynn Weathersby, left, and 新彩网 President Dr. Clyde Muse speak briefly before Thursday afternoon's graduation ceremony at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. 新彩网 conferred 443 degrees and certificates to 304 graduates for this summer's ceremonies

Dr. Lynn Weathersby, left, and 新彩网 President Dr. Clyde Muse speak briefly before Thursday afternoon’s graduation ceremony at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. 新彩网 conferred 443 degrees and certificates to 304 graduates for this summer’s ceremonies

鈥淣ever before in the history of our world has education been more important than it is today. It provides an opportunity for possibly the first job, the beginning of a career,鈥 said 新彩网 President Dr. Clyde Muse. 鈥淔or others, it may mean a new start for a better life, and for others the first step toward a baccalaureate degree. Education is real important today. In fact 80 percent of all the jobs that are going to be available in the future require at least a high school diploma and some degree of higher education, not necessarily a baccalaureate.鈥

The speaker for the nursing and allied health graduation ceremony at 新彩网 on July 30 was Dr. Bryan Lantrip. Flanking him are, left, Christie Bokros, assistant dean for allied health programs, and, right, Dr. Libby Mahaffey, dean for nursing and allied health programs.

The speaker for the nursing and allied health graduation ceremony at 新彩网 on July 30 was Dr. Bryan Lantrip. Flanking him are, left, Christie Bokros, assistant dean for allied health programs, and, right, Dr. Libby Mahaffey, dean for nursing and allied health programs.

Dr. Bryan Lantrip, a Yazoo City native, Jackson physician and medical director of the college鈥檚 Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, spoke on 鈥淟ife Lessons鈥 for the nursing and allied health ceremony.

Lantrip said he grew up in a family that believed in hugging. He told graduates sometimes the human touch 鈥渃an go a long way.鈥

鈥淲hen seeking advice or treatment for health issues, patients are uncertain, anxious, even scared. Simple verbal reassurance can help alleviate many of these feelings, but the extra effort to place your hand onto a patient鈥檚 forearm or forehead can be more comforting in those times of uncertainty,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t can be a very powerful nonverbal way of saying, 鈥業 care鈥 or 鈥業 know you are frightened or worried.鈥 鈥

He also said health care professionals should ask themselves, 鈥淲hat would you do if this patient were your Momma?鈥

鈥淩emember that you are taking care of someone鈥檚 mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, spouse or whoever,鈥 he said. 鈥淩emember that they are relying on you to provide them the best care, no matter who they are.鈥

Lantrip has been a staff radiologist with Lakeland Radiologists, PA since 2002 and has served as medical director of the sonography program at 新彩网 since 2012.

He earned a medical doctorate from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in May 1991 and holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from the university in biological sciences and pharmacy. His certifications are with the American Board of Diagnostic Radiology and the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Rankin County schools Superintendent Dr. Lynn Weathersby, president of the 新彩网 Board of Trustees, spoke to academic, career and technical graduates at 2 p.m.

Weathersby, a Florence native, is a four-term superintendent of the Rankin County School District and member of the 新彩网 Board of Trustees since 2000.

He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, a master鈥檚 from Mississippi College and a doctorate from Mississippi State University. Previously, he earned an associate鈥檚 degree from 新彩网.

New retiree 新彩网 George Thrash of Raymond was the grand marshal and mace bearer for the July 30 graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus.

New retiree 新彩网 George Thrash of Raymond was the grand marshal and mace bearer for the July 30 graduation ceremonies at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus.

George Thrash, retired district locksmith and coordinator of janitorial services, was the grand marshal and mace bearer.

As Mississippi鈥檚 largest community college, 新彩网 is a comprehensive institution offering quality, affordable educational opportunities with more than 170 academic, career and technical programs. With six locations in central Mississippi, 新彩网 enrolled nearly 12,000 credit students in fall 2014. To learn more, visit or call 1.800.新彩网CC.