MDCC’s Inaugural Fall Graduation Includes Surprise Gift from Speaker

MOORHEAD, Miss. (December 8, 2023) - For the first time, Mississippi Delta Community College held a commencement ceremony in the month of December to celebrate those students who completed the necessary requirements to graduate.

The Fall 2023 academic and career-technical graduation ceremony began at 10 a.m. on Fri., December 8, in the J.T. Hall Coliseum on the Moorhead campus. In the Fall 2023 semester, 49 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. Pastor Steve Huber provided the invocation for the 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 student, Marion Cork. Her selection was “Rise Up” by Andra Day.

Jackson introduced the guest speaker, community advocate Dr. Pam Chatman. Chatman is the owner of Boss Lady Economic Planning Development Workforce Transportation and is Mississippi’s first African-American news director. She is also the recipient of numerous national, state and local awards for her leadership and work in the community.

At the conclusion of her speech, Chatman spoke words that had the graduates cheering. She pledged a $500 gift to each graduate in attendance. After the excitement from the unexpected act of generosity, Jackson then conferred the degrees to the students at the recommendation of Vice President of Instruction Teresa Webster.

The benediction was then given by Huber.

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.