Sandhills Community College’s McNeill-Woodward Green was packed full of cheers and tears as elated graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas or certificates during the 59th graduation ceremony since the college was founded in 1963. Two hundred and fifteen students obtained associate degrees that may have plans to transfer to four-year colleges and 283 students obtained Associate Degrees in Applied Science, certificates or diplomas based on credits earned to pursue workforce opportunities.
“This is a hallmark day for our students who studied hard and applied themselves in learning, engaging and belonging as well as the families and friends who supported them along the way,” said President Alexander “Sandy” Stewart. “We are especially grateful to the wonderful faculty, staff and instructors who made this day possible as well as the to the employers in the region who offered hands on learning and experiences along the way to lead to job positions or the pursuit of higher education at a four-year institution.”
SandHoke Early High School student, Allison Pratt, was one of 73 students at the High School who earned her associate’s degree and was accepted to 60 colleges and was offered over $2 million in scholarships. She will be going to NC State University to study biological sciences with a concentration in molecular, cellular and developmental biology.
“Overall, the graduating class at SandHoke was awarded over $6.7 million which is a new record for us. We are elated that our students are reaping the fruit of their labor. We truly value the role that SCC has played to preparing our students for these opportunities,” said Principal Leslie Neal.
Graduate Maria Orellana-Adriazola earned an associate in arts and plans to attend NC State University where she is the recipient of the Goodnight Scholarship. Maria aspires to become a doctor. In addition to maintaining a full course load, Maria also earned an EMT certification and worked many nights as an EMT at a local Fire Department in Fayetteville. She also served as the Career and College Promise work study this past year.
Also awarded a Goodnight Scholarship was Jose Torres Piñeda. He graduated from SandHoke Early College High School with an associate's degree and a high school diploma and will be attending NC State. The Goodnight Scholarships invests in students from low- and middle-income families in North Carolina studying in STEM or STEM education disciplines. The Program empowers Goodnight Scholars to “pay it forward” as transformational leaders at NC State, in North Carolina, and in the world. The value of the scholarship is $23,000 and is renewable for up to four years for first-year students, and three years for transfer students. In addition to the scholarship, Goodnight Scholars have access to an assortment of developmental programming focused on their professional and personal growth.
There were 15 students from Moore County High Schools who obtained their associate degrees while in high school, a remarkable achievement while juggling core courses and electives.
Joy Arias is graduating with an associate degree In Collision Repair and Refinishing. Joy has a job at Griffin Chrysler Auto Body Shop in Rockingham, NC. She was selected out of 150 candidates. Joy will be an Collision estimator and dealing with customers
Graduate Felix Naab earned an associate in arts and plans to attend UNC at Chapel Hill in the fall to study either neuropsychology or another field in psychology. He is a 4.0 student he has also participated in several student organizations and honor activities such as the SGA, C-Step, and Phi Theta Kappa as well as served as a Mental Health ambassador. Additionally, he is the founder of SCC’s Pre-Health Club, which is designed to provide a forum for students who are interested in studies directed toward science and healthcare. His orientation toward service extends beyond our campus community where he has volunteered at St Joseph of the Pines assisting the residents in a variety of ways. He was also named the Casilear Middleton Memorial Award selected by the Social and Behavioral Science Department.
This is just the beginning for many students as their career journeys begin to take off. Students in the AAS Building Construction Technology, AAS Construction Management Technology, AAS Civil Engineering Technology, AAS Geomatics Technology, AAS Environmental Technology have jobs lined up with Kisinger Campo & Associates; MabeBuilt; McKim & Creed; Building and Earth Sciences: and LKC Engineering, PLLC. Others are going to UNC Charlotte (4), Appalachian State University and Liberty University to pursue Civil Engineering Technology, Construction Management or Architectural Technology & Design.
In the Ryan Veterans Center, 22 students are graduating with degrees and certificates. One with three AAS degrees in Geomatics Technology, Civil Engineering Technology and Environmental Engineering Technology, and one certificate in Architectural Technology. “Thomas "Zack" Lemonds epitomizes Learn, Engage, Belong. He is a veteran of the United States Army and currently serves in the United States Air Force Reserve,” said Dave Daniels, Veterans Services Coordinator at SCC. “He balances his academic endeavors with familial obligations, and community involvement while maintaining a 3.70 GPA. He is the president of the ACEs Club and has shown effective leadership amongst the student population within Little Hall. Zack is the consummate professional and will be an asset to any organization that he chooses to pursue.”
Elizabeth Parker, one of the Lt. Colonel John W. Collins Office Systems Technology award winners earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in the Medical Coding and Billing AAS Degree Program. As a military spouse, she has demonstrated the same tenacity and prowess often noted in our military population through her commitment to the program, attention to detail, and academic aptitude. As she and her husband move duty stations this summer, she will take with her a degree that should qualify her for gainful employment in her new location, and she will represent Sandhills Community College well in the workforce.
Amanda Springer is graduating with an Early Childhood Education - Licensure Associate Applied Science Degree and is a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. As a military spouse and a mother of two young children, she has balanced her academic journey with the demands of family life. Her passion for early intervention grew when her children became eligible for Early Intervention services. During their eligibility meetings, she witnessed a diverse team of professionals—including a Special Education teacher, Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, Preschool Specialist, and Early Intervention Program Director—collaborating to determine the best path forward for her children. It was in that moment that she realized her calling to work on an Early Intervention Team. This summer, she plans to enroll in the Registered Behavior Technician Certificate Program at the University of Kansas to further specialize in this field.
Eric Garcia's graduated with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and plans to work for UNC Health upon graduation. Eric has overcome many challenges and adversities to be successful in the program. According to his faculty Eric is kind, compassionate and a team player. He has a positive, warm attitude and strives for excellence. The other 52 nursing graduates will be going to Pinehurst Medical Clinic, First Health Moore Regional, Cape Fear Valley Hospital, Wake Med, Atrium Neuro, nurse residency program, emergency departments, operating/medical/surgery units, cardiology units, pediatric units, intensive care units, pulmonary units and endoscopy units. Some are headed to emergency departments in Hoke County and even to a hospice program.
Laura Hill, faculty with the Social and Behavioral Science Dept. at Sandhills Community College, witnessed her son, Jackson Hill earn his associate in arts - the fifth family member to graduate from SCC. All have been awarded under each president including Dr. Raymond Stone who awarded Becky Davenport her AFA in Music in 1981, and Dr. Dempsey awarded Jeff Davenport his associate in science in 1992 and Slade Davenport an associate in general education in 2014 and Conner Davenport, received an associate in science in 2018. As part of the legacy, someone in her family has worked full-time at SCC since 1976 and someone from her family has worked under each of SCC’s three presidents.
Student award winners were: Mary Luman Meyer Award- Felix Naab- Associate in Arts; Sue Williamson Faculty Award - Jessica Ruggiero, Associate in Applied Science Nursing and Caroline Bradford, Associate in Science; and the Presidents Award - Carson Smith, Associate in Applied Science-Civil Engineering.
Zane Vogel, a proud graduate of Sandhills Community College and the co-founder, President, and CEO of Spiritus Systems served as commencement speaker. He started Spiritus Systems while deployed in Afghanistan—drafting product designs and building the company’s first website from a tent between missions. After returning home, he helped grow Spiritus from a single sewing machine in a North Carolina garage to a 5-acre, 50,000-square-foot manufacturing campus in Aberdeen that supports a workforce of nearly 120 employees. Under his leadership, Spiritus Systems has become an internationally respected name in tactical equipment, known for its innovation, modularity, and commitment to American manufacturing. Zane also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Military Division of the Advanced Textiles Association, where he works to support and sustain the U.S. textile industry.