Beaufort County Community College made history as it held its commencement exercises for graduating students on May 8. The Class of 2025 included 383 students eligible to participate, having earned certificates, diplomas, or degrees, a four percent increase from the previous year. With some students earning multiple credentials, the total number of credentials awarded was 442. The Class of 2025 includes all students who successfully completed a credential during the summer 2024, fall 2024, or spring 2025 semesters. As a result the large class size, the college held the ceremony outdoors in the Wagner Stadium at Washington High School to allow graduates additional tickets for friends and family.
The college has seen significant enrollment growth since launching the Beaufort Promise Scholarship program, which offers free tuition and fees to qualifying students. It has also intensified its focus on student success through the Centralized Advising Center, helping students create and follow a clear academic plan.
Beaufort CCC welcomed Dr. Dennis Campbell II, president of ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, as its commencement speaker. With 20 years of experience in clinical care and executive leadership, Dr. Campbell began his career as an ICU nurse before advancing into leadership roles, where his results-driven approach has expanded patient services and strengthened local health care. He also serves on the Beaufort CCC Board of Trustees and other regional organizations supporting education and economic development. Dr. Campbell holds degrees in nursing, business management, and health care administration, and he has earned honors such as the Triad Business Journal’s “Top 40 Leaders Under 40” and North Carolina’s Great 100 Nurses. He and his wife reside in eastern North Carolina.
Dr. Campbell gave advice from the movie “Finding Nemo,” encouraging graduates to “just keep swimming.”
These graduates leave Beaufort CCC with many honors in hand, having earned certificates and degrees in fields such as associate degree nursing, criminal justice technology, cosmetology, emergency medical science, medical laboratory technology, and mechanical engineering technology, as well as Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees designed for university transfer.
Among the graduates were 126 honor students, recognized by gold tassels, who achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher, representing 32 percent of the class. Twenty-five students graduated summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 GPA, including Kennedy Brooklyn Arnold, Lillian Grace Avery, Crystal Baldwin, I’shawna Qualiyah Belcher, Tierra Blount, Jocelyn Botello-Salazar, Karen Santibanez Castaneda, Danielle Nicole Cutler, Jazmine Nicole Davis, Nancy Baines Ferrell, Rachel Dawn Fox, Jonathan Charles Garrett, Grace Elizabeth Gaskins, Kayla Ann Gayle, Mariah Catherine Hux, Kelly Gene Johnson, Karalise Duyen Thi Mai, Shala Ashante Melton, Kellie Lorena Martinez Ramirez, Lee Goodwin Scripture IV, Randi Lynn Surguy, Destyni Tripp, Maxwell D. Vansant, Lauren Spain White, and Tyzhae Lamont Williams.
Dr. Lisa Hill, Vice President of Academic Affairs, announced the Faculty Member of the Year, Misty Jones, lead instructor for math and science, and the Staff Member of the Year, Janet Corey, accounts receivable specialist. Dr. LaTonya Nixon, Vice President of Student Services, announced additional awards: the Dallas Herring Achievement Award nominee, Ashley Lowe; the Academic Achievement Award recipient, Brandon Maples; and the Robert W. Scott Leadership Award nominee, Trevon Barrett-Little. The All-USA Community College Academic Team nominees were Gabriella Maria Collins, Tongia R. Holley, and Kimberly Ramirez-Mendoza.
BCCC wishes its departing students the best and reminds them that they will always belong at Beaufort.