Grayson College Awards Almost 700 Degrees

Grayson College celebrates student success at Spring Commencement Friends and family watched as 506 Grayson College students received diplomas and certificates during two ceremonies Friday.

“The mission of Grayson College is student success,” Grayson College President Jeremy Mcmillen said. “We want our students to form early connections and complete what they start—that is reflected in our goal to have students Connect, Commit and Complete.”

Grayson College Board of Trustees Chair Ronnie Cole introduced the speaker for the event, Grayson College alumnus John Coffman. A 1965 graduation of Denison High School, Coffman was one the first students to attend Grayson College.

In his speech, Coffman provided advice on making the most of a journey by encouraging graduates to make service to others a priority in their lives. “Learn that you don’t have to wait until you make a bunch of money to make a difference,” Coffman said. “The most important thing you have to give is your time; your presence.”

Faculty Member of the Year honors were announced as well. Dental Assisting Program Director Tonya Hance was selected as the Faculty Member of the Year. Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year honors were presented to Bill Gazaway, Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Professor. Staff Member of the Year is Jeff Halley, LAN Support Technician.

The college’s graduates for spring were an average 27 years old, with the youngest being 16 and the oldest being 65. The graduates took a cumulative 11,283 courses and completed with an average 3.13 grade point average. Workforce Education students made up 55 percent of the graduating students, with Health Science making up 14 percent and Academic Studies comprising the other 31 percent. Of the 683 degrees conferred, 396 were Associate Degrees and 287 were Certificates.

In addition to the two commencement ceremonies held Friday, the college celebrated students in a variety of programs through several other awards ceremonies. On Thursday, the college held an Adult Education Literacy and Center for Workplace Learning Recognition Ceremony, as well as a Radiology Pinning Ceremony. Thursday also included a Medical Lab Technician Lab Coat Ceremony on the college’s South Campus. Friday evening, Associate Degree Nurses were honored at a Pinning Ceremony. The celebrations were concluded Saturday with a Dental Assisting Pinning Ceremony.

“This is one of my favorite days of the year,” McMillen said. “We are shortening the time for degrees to keep students on their pathway and to get them to their transfer institution or career quicker. I am fortunate that we get to celebrate student completion multiple times a year.”