FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells hands out diplomas on stage at the College’s 62nd Commencement Exercises on May 17, 2024. [Photo by Brad Losh]
Fayetteville Technical Community College celebrated a record-setting number of graduates Friday, honoring 3,045 students at its 62nd Annual Commencement Exercises.
That number is a 47-percent increase over 2022-23 as the college rebounds from a national dip in higher education enrollment in the wake of the pandemic.
The celebration was a daylong affair at the Crown Coliseum featuring two ceremonies to accommodate the number of graduates.
Students from programs in Allied Health Technologies, Nursing, College and Career Readiness, Business and Computer Information Technology were recognized in a morning ceremony, while graduates of the Arts and Humanities, Math and Sciences, Public Service and Engineering and Applied Technology programs participated in the afternoon.
James Sanders III delivered the keynote address at each ceremony. Sanders, a Communications instructor at FTCC, motivational speaker and radio host, offered congratulations and words of empowerment to the graduates.
“As you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your journey, I urge you to remember that your education is not for your benefit alone,” he said. “It is a powerful tool to mark a positive impact on your communities and to be able to make meaningful change in the world.”
Sanders encouraged the graduates to “be difference-makers” in their future endeavors.
“As you step out into the world, remember the power of your education here at FTCC and the responsibility that comes with it.”
FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells presided over the ceremonies, awarding more than 5,200 degrees, diplomas and certificates to 2024 graduates. Among degree-earners, 753 students graduated with Honors and 198 with Highest Honors.
“All of today’s graduates have earned distinction through their hard work, their dedication and commitment to achieving both their educational and career goals,” Sorrells said. “Graduates, we join your family and friends in celebrating your accomplishments. We commend you for crossing the finish line.
“You met life’s challenges head on, and you demonstrated success.”
Students Morgan Brady and Angie Saavedra were honored during the morning ceremony as recipients of college- and state-level awards.
Brady, a graduate of Speech-Language Pathology Assistant program, received the McLean President’s Award, an honor given by FTCC Foundation to a student selected by a committee of faculty and staff members.
Saavedra was chosen as FTCC’s recipient of the N.C. Community College System Academic Excellence Award. She graduated with an Associate in Arts and an Associate in Applied Science in Accounting.
Three FTCC students in the Associate in Fine Arts in Music program sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at both ceremonies and one – Tyler Howard – graduated in the afternoon ceremony. Joshua Owens and Laura Bueno Rodriguez joined Howard in singing the anthem.
