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More than 400 students graduated Tuesday night with their degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

Nearly all of the 2,700 seats in the �鶹Ӱ�� Performing Arts Center (DPAC) were filled Tuesday evening when friends, family, and �鶹Ӱ�� faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the graduating class of 2019.

More than 400 graduates participated in the ceremony, a record number for commencement ceremonies in the last decade, said Lisa Inman, Dean of Student Development and Support who has helped coordinate Commencement since 2011.

It was the 11th year �鶹Ӱ�� held the event at DPAC.

Robyn Tomlin was this year’s featured Commencement speaker and is a 1994 �鶹Ӱ�� Associate in Arts graduate. Since leaving the College, she’s led an impressive journalism career and now serves as the first regional McClatchy newspaper editor of publications in North and South Carolina.

“Twenty-five years ago, I was sitting in an auditorium like this, dressed in cap and gown, ready to celebrate my own graduation from this institution,” Tomlin said to the audience.

She spoke about her time at �鶹Ӱ��, where she helped start a student newspaper and worked as an administrative assistant for the College’s developmental studies program all while being a young mom. She also offered the outgoing students words of inspiration and advice.

“Personal resilience is born from the interplay of our internal disposition and our external experiences. … (It) is a hard-earned character trait, not something that’s gifted to some and not others,” she said to the packed auditorium. “Graduates, I’m here to tell you the same perseverance and hard work that got you here tonight will help you succeed in your academic and your personal and professional life moving forward.”

Tomlin was introduced by Jailyn Gales, the 2018-19 Student Government Association president who graduated with an Associate in Science degree.

The event officially started at 7 p.m., but the venue teemed with people in the hour leading up to it.

A group of Associate in Applied Science degree students who studied respiratory therapy at the college were enjoying soaking in this occasion alongside their friends.

“It just feels really satisfying after two years to finally be graduating all of us together,” said Aqeelah Tarver. “We worked really hard.”

According to graduate Abigail Horne, a lot of her classmates held prior degrees and already had secured employment in their new field.

“(Respiratory therapy) is so vital to the functionality of the hospital,” she said. “For majority of our class to have jobs lined up before graduation is really reassuring of the degree path we’ve taken.”

Brooke Tweedy said she chose the field due to her family’s history of heart and asthma problems.

“I think a lot of us have personal connections that made us (choose respiratory therapy),” she said. “Our families have all been really supportive.”

At 7 p.m., the sounds of bagpipes rang out to cue the procession of the graduates and faculty members.

Once everyone was seated, the Rev. Dr. Michael Page of Antioch Baptist Church and a member of the �鶹Ӱ�� Board of Trustees gave the invocation. It was followed by welcoming remarks from Dr. Tara Fikes, Vice Chair of the �鶹Ӱ�� Board of Trustees. After Fikes finished, President Bill Ingram walked to the podium.

“This evening is about our students, their efforts, and their successes,” Ingram said standing in front of the immense audience. “Our graduates leave tonight to pursue careers in everything from accounting to zoology. They aspire to write the next must-have mobile app or find a cure for cancer.”

Ingram, Dr. Susan Paris, Vice President of Student Learning and Instructional Services, and Tom Jaynes, Executive Vice President, conferred the 400-plus degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

“Congratulations to the students who will cross the stage tonight, joining thousands of �鶹Ӱ�� alumni who do great things for themselves and their families, our community, the nation, and the world,” Ingram said. “We are proud of your accomplishments.”

This year, one of DPAC’s own was among the graduating class.

Zeda Rochelle, an event staff supervisor at DPAC, crossed the stage on Tuesday and emerged on the other side as a recipient of an Associate in Applied Science degree with a Criminal Justice Technology focus.

It took her more than two decades to earn that moment.

Her time at �鶹Ӱ�� began in 1993 but was cut off in 1995 before she could graduate.

“Due to having a baby and a new husband in the military and having to move, it was hard to finish,” she said. “After my oldest graduated high school, I decided then to go back.”

She returned to �鶹Ӱ�� last summer.

“I feel very excited,” she said after the occasion. “I’m trying not to cry.”