A total of 182 graduates crossed the stage of the Caswell County Civic Center in Yanceyville, NC the evening of May 16 as Piedmont Community College (PCC) celebrated the class of 2025 during their commencement ceremony.
The auditorium was filled with proud family members, friends, faculty and staff as the graduates marched in wearing dark green academic regalia to celebrate this momentous occasion. As the commencement exercises began, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7316 Color Guard of Caswell County and American Legion Post 89 of Caswell County presented the nations colors.
Antonio Foster, PCC Board of Trustees Chair, offered a charge and words of encouragement to the graduates.
“Today, as you stand at graduation’s threshold, I commend each of you for the tenacity and dedication that has brought you to this moment,” Foster said. “Your diligence, your personal sacrifices and your unwavering focus deserve our recognition.”
Bennie Clayton, PCC’s 2025 Alumnus of the Year, addressed the graduates about how his experience at PCC shaped him into the person he is today. Clayton was awarded Alumnus of the Year at PCC’s 2025 Honors Convocation ceremony. Clayton graduated from PCC in 1995 with an associate’s degree in cosmetology and is now the dedicated owner and founder of Elysian Salon Group in Person County, the current Board Chair of the Roxboro Area Chamber of Commerce and a new member of the PCC Foundation Board of Directors.
“Most of you, including myself, have faced challenges,” Clayton said. “Especially in a world that keeps changing. And yet, here you are. Every late-night study session, every early class, every moment of doubt, has led up to this momentous moment, and you have made it.”
Jennifer Haygood, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration/Chief Financial Officer for the University of North Carolina System delivered the keynote address to the graduates. She spoke about the three elements that are essential to thriving in the next chapter of their lives: attitude, trust and grit.
“Each of you has followed a distinct path to reach this point,” Haygood said. “Tonight, we celebrate graduates ranging from those completing high school to lifelong learners whose journeys span decades. Whether you’re acquiring skills in welding, criminal justice, nursing or preparing to transfer to a four-year institution, your experiences are varied—but what brings you together is the hard work and resilience that have fueled your achievement.”
Before graduates were called to receive their degrees, diplomas or certificate, Dr. Kenneth Boham, interim PCC President, announced PCC’s 2025 Academic Excellence Award recipient, Carlie White. This award is given to one student from each of the 58 community colleges from the North Carolina Community College System and recognizes outstanding academia.
White, who would later be announced as earning her associate in arts degree, will also graduate from Roxboro Community School later this month. White says that she originally planned to blend in when she started her journey at PCC, but her determination to be academically successful shined brighter.
As the graduates moved their tassels from right to left, they were announced as alumni of PCC. Overall, 434 degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded to the PCC class of 2025. To watch the recording of the commencement ceremony, visit PCC’s YouTube Channel.
Recent Comments