Friday’s graduation at Hopkinsville Community College brought packed houses in the Thomas L. Riley Lecture Hall for a nurse’s pinning, as well as noon and 3 PM celebrations, as rattling pom-poms, loud cheers and some tears ushered in a new chapter for many.
More than 750 certificates were awarded, and among them — an associate of science to Olivia Lancaster.
Vice President of the HCC Student Government Association, she finished with a 4.0 cumulative GPA and was tabbed not only to the annual KCTCS Scholars Team, but also earned the Spirit Cup Award — a prestigious Phi Theta Kappa honor bestowed every year since 1965.
HCC Vice President of Academic affairs Dr. Chris Boyett explained the prominence of each.
Lancaster, meanwhile, said she was transformed by her HCC experience.
Retiring after more than 13 years of service with HCC, Chair of the Professional and Technical Studies Department Robert Smith offered seven axioms for graduates — or anyone, really — looking to maintain success outside of the classroom.
1) Set goals: short, intermediate and long-term.
2) Show up, especially early, in order to be useful.
3) Take responsibility, and admit mistakes.
4) Be friendly, especially by greeting people.
5) Take care of one’s physical and mental health, particularly by eating vegetables, getting enough sleep, reading or listening to audiobooks and frequently going for walks.
6) Look for ways in which to lift others up, by offering kind words and encouragement.
7) And be persistent.
Active military and veterans, HOPFAME, Early College, Rotary Scholars and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members were all honored in Friday’s ceremony.
Lancaster’s Full Remarks:
Smith’s Full Remarks:
