Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute honored 1003 graduates during ceremonies held Friday, May 8 at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir.
CCC&TI’s Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Jerry Church opened the ceremonies by welcoming special guests, congratulating the graduates, and listing some of the Class of 2026’s accomplishments.
The Class of 2026 included:
• 306 first-generation college graduates
• Graduates ranging in age from 17 to 68, with the average age being 25
• 52 graduates who earned multiple credentials
• 22 Dream Scholars
• 58 TRIO/Student Support Services graduates
• 36 student athletes
• 99 individuals who earned their high school credential and
• 149 adult learners and
• A total of 1065 credentials earned
CCC&TI Trustee Mr. Wayne Rash presented this year’s Trustees Student Awards of Merit to graduates Jaylen Golston and Aterea Melvin. Recipients of the awards are selected based on faculty nominations for outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community service. Both recipients received plaques and a monetary award in recognition of their achievements.
CCC&TI’s 2026 Academic Excellence award recipient was also recognized during the day’s ceremonies. This year’s award was presented to Associate in Applied Science graduate Marina Herrera.
This year’s keynote addresses were delivered by graduates being honored during each ceremony. High School Equivalency graduate McKenzie Palmer spoke during the 10 a.m. ceremony and shared her experiences as an adult learner. Palmer faced a number of barriers in her journey to earning her credential at age 29. With support services offered through the college’s Transitional Studies program and financial assistance through the Foundation, Palmer was able to earn her diploma in just a month and a half, continuing on
to enroll and complete her first semester toward an associate in science degree. “To anyone who may see themselves in my story… the journey may not be easy, but there are opportunities, and asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness,” Palmer shared. “If you are willing to take that first step, know that the staff and instructors at CCC&TI are here to support you on your new path; No matter where you are starting from, it’s never too late to change your story.”
Electronic Engineering graduate Marina Herrera spoke at the 1 p.m. ceremony about her journey toward earning her credential. Herrera had a variety of experiences leading up to her enrollment at CCC&TI including working as a forestry technician in Washington state, several years of service with AmeriCorp, battling wildfires in California and working construction in Atlanta, GA. From there, Herrera made her way back to her hometown of Lenoir and reached out to faculty members about the college’s electronics engineering program. “I spoke to the program director. He was kind. He was encouraging. And he believed in me, before I believed in myself,” she said. “And that changed everything. It changed how I saw myself, and what I thought was possible for my future.” Herrera offered a message of encouragement to those gathered to celebrate. “Who you are matters more than the path you took to get here. Sometimes all it takes is just one kind interaction with another person to alter the course of a life. When you find [the right place to grow] and the help to believe in yourself, that’s when everything can change.”
Radiography graduate Hailey McCall spoke at the 4 p.m. ceremony and shared her experiences as a student. McCall graduated from the Caldwell Applied Sciences Academy in 2023 and, through that experience, discovered a passion for health care and the medical field and enrolled in the college’s Radiography program. McCall shared that her success was the result of the support of her instructors, her family and those that believed in her ability to accomplish her goals. “There was a time when I didn’t believe in myself, a time where I didn’t think I could get into the program…but [my instructors and my family] reminded me to pray and to make sure I remember whose hand was truly over everything.” McCall finished her message by encouraging her fellow graduates to be life-long learners. “The amazing thing about finishing a program is that you can further your education and soar even higher. You can continue to enhance your skills and use those to help your community.”
CCC&TI President, Dr. Mark Poarch gave a charge to the graduates prior to conferring their degrees. As I thought about what to say to you, the one word that kept coming to mind is ‘Courage.’ Each one of you has a story, each one of you had to overcome adversity to make it to the stage today,” said Poarch. “You balanced jobs, families, classes, responsibilities, late nights studying, and occasional moments of doubt, yet you found a way to overcome all those obstacles and stay the course.” Poarch also mentioned the college’s Annual Fund Drive theme of “Rising Together” and how community colleges are uniquely equipped to meet students where they are and take them as far as they want to go. “We are not simply a place of learning, we are a place of lifting people up, a place where education is elevated. When one person succeeds, we all celebrate. And when obstacles show up, we rise above them side by side. Keep rising and as you rise, bring others with you.”
