Mississippi Delta Community College

MDCC Graduates 230 Academic and CTE Students

MOORHEAD, Miss. (May 5, 2023) - Mississippi Delta Community College (MDCC) held its 2023 academic and career-technical graduation ceremonies on Fri., May 5, in the J.T. Hall Coliseum on the Moorhead campus. In the 2023 Spring semester, 230 students graduated from MDCC’s academic and career-technical programs. These graduates were awarded an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or a certificate from a one-year program.

Beverly Terrell provided music for the prelude and the processional. The processional was led by mace-bearer Debra Baker at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony and Dr. Charnecca Barnes at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony. Bubba Pilgrim and Burnadette McDonald followed as gonfalon-bearers.

Rev. Veronica Pritchard provided the invocation for the 9:00 a.m. ceremony, and Moorhead Mayor George Holland delivered the invocation for the 1:00 p.m. ceremony.

Dr. Benjamin Cloyd, vice president of effectiveness and enrollment, provided welcoming remarks and recognized guests in attendance before MDCC President Dr. Tyrone Jackson addressed students and attendees.

Special music was performed by MDCC students at both ceremonies. Jessica Fulgham performed, “How Does a Moment Last Forever” at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony, and Jah’daelynn Smith and Marion Cork performed, “Finally Me” at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony.

At the 9:00 a.m. ceremony, Jackson introduced Dr. Jerryl Briggs, president of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU). Briggs is the eighth president of MVSU and has over 30 years of experience in higher education.

At the 1:00 p.m. ceremony, Jackson welcomed Dr. Courtney Taylor, Deputy Director of Postsecondary Strategy at AccelerateMS, where she works with community colleges, four-year universities, employers, economic developers and other workforce training entities to build out Mississippi’s coordination of Workforce Development efforts.

Jackson then conferred the degrees to the students at the recommendation of Vice President of Instruction Teresa Webster.

Benedictions were then given by Pritchard and Holland at the 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. ceremonies, respectively.

Each service recognized a special group of individuals. At the 9:00 a.m. ceremony, MDCC’s Honors College students were recognized.

“The Honors College provides students who excel academically an educational experience beyond the standard curriculum in an environment that promotes discovery and creativity,” said Phillip Lawes, a math instructor and faculty advisor for the Honors College.

At the 1:00 p.m. ceremony, 19 individuals were recognized who graduated through the Humphreys County High School Middle College program.

Students who participate in a middle college program have the opportunity to graduate from high school and MDCC in the same year, receiving both a high school diploma and an associate degree. These students then have the opportunity to start traditional college in their junior year.

Mississippi Delta is a comprehensive community college that offers a wide variety of academic and career-technical courses. The college also provides health science programs, workforce training, adult education courses and continuing education courses.

Mississippi Delta Community College supports its students with a full range of student services, including financial aid, counseling, and on-campus housing. MDCC instructors are well-trained professionals who are truly dedicated to the success of their students, both in the classroom and in their future careers. The college offers quality, collegiate-level courses in small classes with individualized instruction.

In addition to the main campus in Moorhead, MDCC also offers classes at sites in Greenville and Greenwood, as well as workforce training at the Charles W. Capps, Jr. Technology Center in Indianola.