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KENANSVILLE — Over 280 curriculum graduates turned their tassels on Thursday, May 8, at James Sprunt Community College’s 63rd annual Commencement Ceremony, representing the college’s largest graduating class to date. The college also celebrated over 150 graduates across 26 programs for their academic achievements at the school’s annual Workforce Development and Continuing Education Graduation Ceremony.
Vanessa Watkins, president of the JSCC Student Government Association, thanked families, friends and instructors on behalf of the Class of 2025 before addressing her fellow graduates in a welcome speech preceding the commencement ceremony.
“As we step into this next chapter of our lives, let’s carry with us lessons we’ve learned not just from textbooks, but from our experiences, our failures and our triumphs,” she said. “Go forward with confidence, with courage and pride because we are James Sprunt, and we are the graduating class of 2025. Congratulations, everyone — we did it.”
In his remarks, JSCC President Jay Carraway acknowledged the size of the crowd for the college’s largest-ever graduating class.
“I’ve never seen it like this before — graduates, you’ve got a lot of folks that are supporting you,” commented Carraway prior to introducing Lawrence Rouse, JSCC president emeritus, as the 63rd annual Commencement Ceremony’s guest speaker. Rouse has over 40 years of experience in the community college and is the longest-serving JSCC president at 13 years, recognized as the North Carolina Community College System President of the Year in 2016. “He’s highly thought of, but beyond all of his accolades and all his accomplishments, I consider his character, his integrity and his faith to be his biggest gifts. He is a good person,” said Carraway.
In his speech, Rouse reflected on the community college’s legacy of service to Duplin County and the surrounding areas, empowering generations of students to improve their lives and build stronger communities since its founding in 1964.
“James Sprunt serves as a powerful bridge to success for students and for the region they serve — and today, that bridge has brought us here to this ceremony, to this celebration, to this very moment,” said Rouse, advising graduates to go forward with confidence. “There are challenges ahead, but don’t let them define you — let them refine you. Congratulations, graduates. The world is waiting on you. Thank you.”
Ed Emory, vice-chair of the JSCC Board of Trustees, welcomed graduates and their families to the annual Workforce Development and Continuing Education Graduation.
“Today is a day of celebration — we’re celebrating you who are achieving what you set out to do through your educational journey, and we are celebrating your family and friends who are here to support you,” began Emory, imploring graduates to remain lifelong learners. “Continue to be curious, continue to learn, and always remember — you’re a part of our family.”
Carraway further emphasized the importance of family in ensuring the graduates’ academic success.
“Very few things happen in life when you do it by yourself. You’ve got to have supporters; you’ve got to have folks behind you helping you,” he said, adding that instructors were also a critical part of the process and praising them for their capability. “We are very blessed to have the caliber of instructors that we have teaching in our programs.”
