46th HCC Commencement Ceremony to be Held May 4

Hopkinsville Community Colleges 46th Commencement Ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday evening, May 4 at the James E. Bruce Conference and Convention Center located at 303 Conference Center Drive in Hopkinsville.

According to HCC Registrar Melissa Stevenson, 713 students have applied for 1,544 credentials -655 two-year degrees, 842 certificates, and 47 diplomas. Compared with 2011 statistics, HCC has experienced a 22 percent increase in graduate candidates and a 21 percent increase in credentials to be awarded. We are expecting over 200 students to participate in this years commencement ceremony, which will be a record for HCC, explained Chief Student Affairs Officer Dr. Jason Warren.

The college will also have a significant number of military students graduating. Approximately 20 active duty service members and 90 veterans have applied to graduate. For the first time, these students will be identifiable by red, white and blue honor cords. There will also be an empty chair in the front row that symbolizes the members of our armed forces who are listed as POWs and MIAs.

Presiding at the ceremony will be HCC President James Selbe, who will also present graduation credentials to the class of 2012. Dean of Student Affairs Jason Warren will serve as master of ceremonies and Chief Academic Affairs Officer Dr. Kristin Wilson will present the candidates for graduation.

Ms. Elizabeth Griffin McCoy will be the commencement speaker for the ceremony. Elizabeth is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Planters Bank in Hopkinsville as well as being a Certified Public Accountant. She received a bachelor of science in accounting and a master of business administration from the University of Kentucky. Elizabeth currently serves on a variety of Boards including: Kentucky Chamber Board of Directors, Hopkinsville Industrial Foundation, Hopkinsville/Christian County Economic Development Council and the Gatton College Business Partnership Foundation Board. She is also a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. Elizabeth resides in Hopkinsville with her husband, Hal, and son, Griffin.

The colleges faculty, staff, and administration invite the community to celebrate the educational achievements of the Hopkinsville Community College Class of 2012 at our commencement ceremony, said HCC President James Selbe. We recognize the hard work that a student must put forth to achieve their educational goals. Many times their family and friends must also sacrifice to ensure the student is successful.