Congratulations, Fall 2024 Graduates
December 16, 2024
蜜桔直播 Confers 478 Degrees and Certificates
Keep it straight and level and steady as she goes.
That鈥檚 the final advice the 蜜桔直播 graduating class
of fall 2024 received from commencement speaker Dr. Amy Ross, quoting singer and songwriter
James Taylor.
The advice came just minutes before the cap-and-gown clad students were
instructed by Dr. Tony Miksa, college president, to move their tassels from the right
to the left signifying the completion of their academic journey at 蜜桔直播.
The college conferred 478 degrees and certificates during two commencement
ceremonies held on Dec. 12 in the 鈥淶鈥� Buda Assembly Hall and Gymnasium on the Morristown
Campus. Ross, head of the college鈥檚 management program and professor of business,
asked graduates to keep three points in mind as they set out on new journeys.
First, just breathe. Ross advised graduates to remember to just breathe
whenever life becomes overwhelming.
鈥淣o matter what your situation is, just take a breath,鈥� Ross said. 鈥淭hen
take another one.鈥�
Second, stay positive. She asked class member to look to the person on their
right and then on their left and say, 鈥淚 believe in you.鈥�
鈥淭hat feeling you had when someone looked you in the eye and acknowledged
who you were and told you something positive, keep that feeling. Put it in your pocket
and pull it out when you need it. The positives help us get through this journey of
life.鈥�
Finally, Ross told graduates to know who you are.
鈥淕o be you. This is your journey. This is your life,鈥� Ross said.
Miksa congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to come back to visit
and stay in touch with their alma mater.
鈥淎s you go on to another college or start your career, know that the degree
or certificate you receive today is from one of the best community colleges in Tennessee,鈥�
Miksa said, citing Community College of the Year honors received from governing body,
the Tennessee Board of Regents, in 2022 and 2023.
鈥淭his award was based, in part, on the success of our students. You鈥檙e the
reason why we were recognized as the Community College of the Year.鈥�