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SANFORD, N.C. – Faced with doubt, they figured it out. 

That’s what commencement speakers Lucas Honan and Jamie Warren shared about themselves and their �ڰ������� classmates.

The college’s 66th Commencement Exercises, held Aug. 7 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center, highlighted the dedication and perseverance of the Class of 2025. This summer, 223 students graduated from �ڰ�������.

“We know you will carry those qualities that you’ve shown as students with you as you take your next steps,” �ڰ������� President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman said. “We can’t wait to see where your journey leads.” 

At the beginning of the ceremony, graduates marched into the hall to the sound of bagpipes. Family, friends, and faculty cheered them on throughout the event.

Honan, the first of two student graduation speakers at the ceremony, earned two associate degrees, one in arts and one in science.  He is set to begin his studies in engineering at Campbell University this fall. 

“I think what I’ve really learned, beyond the textbooks and tests, is that failure doesn’t mean the end — it can be the beginning of something better,” Honan said. 

Honan told the story of how, after struggling in some classes, he redoubled his efforts and mastered the material. He praised instructors who gave him space, “not just to ask questions, but to grow, to fail safely and to come back stronger.” 

“To my fellow graduates: I know many of you have had your own version of this journey,” he said. “Maybe it wasn’t Physics or Calculus. Maybe it was balancing school with work, taking care of family, or battling burnout and anxiety. But we made it. You made it. And no one can take that away from us.”

Jamie Warren, who earned an Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Medical Technology, was the second student to address the graduates. 

She said she was “completely terrified,” when she set out to resume the educational dreams she put on hold as she cared for her ill mother and grieved her passing.  Warren said she had previously earned a GED and attempted to pursue an education in veterinary medicine but had not been to school in over a decade at that point.

“I visited �ڰ������� and was greeted with kindness, compassion, and a belief in my potential that I had forgotten I deserved,” Warren said. 

In �ڰ�������’s Veterinary Medical Technology program, Warren said, she and other students were buoyed by the support they received from faculty and from each other.  

Now, she said, she’s the first in her family to graduate from college and she’s doing it with honors.

“We’ve all had moments when we didn’t feel smart enough, or strong enough, ready enough, but we kept going,” she said. “We learned, we struggled, and we pushed through because we knew what was waiting at the end of this journey: a chance to do what we love.”

Dr. Lisa Smelser, honored as the 2024-25 �ڰ������� Faculty Member of the Year, served as Chief Marshal and Mace Bearer, symbolizing the academic tradition and excellence upheld by the institution.

Thirteen students earned academic awards: Associate in Arts: Hannah Deese; Associate in Science: Ava Marie Prete; Associate in Applied Science: Kimberly Ann Bayer, Cynthia Elaine Hyland, Kaitlyn Rewkowski, and Emily Jean Stecher; Diploma Level: Jon Akers, John T. Blake, Anson Jarel Foxx, Kacey Nicole Meyer, Shantel K. Moffit, Madison Reimer, and William Winand. 

Also recognized were graduates who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

Dr. Kristi Short, �ڰ�������’s Vice President/Chief Academic Officer presented the graduates and Board of Trustees member Taylor Vorbeck conferred the diplomas. 

Dr. Chapman greeted each of the graduates and shook their hands. 

“Our graduates are the ones teaching in our classrooms, providing patient care, building businesses, and leading change in our communities — and that now includes you,” Dr. Chapman said. “Thank you for everything you are going to do next.” 

Photographs from graduation can be downloaded at . A video of the event can be seen at “On Demand.”