SCC graduation turns 218 tassels on May 16

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In celebration of the class of 2025, 218 graduates crossed the stage at Southeastern Community College’s commencement ceremony on May 16. Graduates represented 52 degree, diploma and certificate distinctions ranging from Student Learning and Innovation, Business Careers, Technical Training, Healthcare, Public Safety and High School Equivalency.  

“It’s always humbling to know how hard they have worked and see the spirit and satisfaction of success in their eyes,” said Dr. Chris English, SCC President. “To watch 218 graduates walk across that stage was phenomenal, and it was an exciting day for the college and students as well as the faculty and instructional staff.” 

English explained that with a new stage and seating set-up this year, it enhanced the visibility and accessibility of the ceremony. With the ceremony closer to Chadbourn Highway, the stage faced A-Building and allowed for audience parking in A-Building parking lot. English said this set-up would return for future ceremonies after hearing the positive feedback.    

Graduates were recognized if they graduated with a 3.5 GPA or higher, were a military veteran, were a Success Scholar, member of the National Technical Honor Society or member of Phi Theta Kappa, a nationally recognized honor society for associate degree students.  

“Seeing the graduates walk out of A-Building and onto the field was one of those moments you had to witness for yourself,” said Trina Davis, SCC Director of Admissions/Registrar. “After clearing 279 applications for graduation, going over student records and hearing personal stories from them, it was exciting knowing that I had that personal connection with them.” 

Davis said that 218 was the largest number of students to walk in a graduation ceremony in her time in the Registrar’s Office since 2023. Davis said this was her second time calling the names of graduates and their degree program before crossing the stage. At the closing of the ceremony, Davis said that leading the graduates out was a special memory that she will cherish forever.  

Out of the 218 graduates who participated in the ceremony, 23 of them were HiSET graduates who earned their high school equivalency diploma. There were 64 HiSET graduates for the 2024/2025 academic year.  

Faculty and Staff Awards 

English presented the T. Elbert Clemmons Excellence in Teaching Award to Dawn Williamson, MLT and Phlebotomy Program Director. Former SCC President Dr. Dan Moore and his wife Cheryl Moore presented the Dr. Dan and Cheryl Moore Outstanding Staff Award to Veronica Powell, Director of Transitional Studies. 

Williamson is the lead instructor for the Medical Laboratory Technology program at SCC. Williamson is a 1997 graduate of SCC with an associate in science degree. Williamson earned her bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory from UNC Pembroke in 1999, and she graduated from Rutgers University with a Master of Health Science degree in clinical laboratory science in 2011.  

Since starting her career at SCC in 2005, Williamson has served as the National Technical Honor Society advisor, Distance Learning Committee co-chair, College 4 Kids director, Instructor’s Council secretary and on the Instructional Committee. Last year, she organized a microscope donation to county and city schools science classes, and she was a participant in the 2025 Frosty Freeze fundraiser that supported the SCC Ambassadors and athletics.  

“Receiving this award fills me with gratitude and pride,” Williamson said. “I am truly honored to be recognized. This inspires me to continue striving for excellence, and this hopefully makes a meaningful impact on our students and the college.” 

Powell started working at SCC in 2022 as the head of the Transitional Studies program, which oversees the high school equivalency diploma program. She said that encouraging and mentoring students who thought they would never wear a cap and gown is the most fulfilling aspect of her work. Powell said that without her support team, winning the award was not possible.  

“It was all of them lifting me up because I’m in the front, but I’m standing on their backs,” Powell said. “This is a testament to the hard work of my whole department – my team – not just me.” 

Powell earned her bachelor of arts degree in English literature from UNC Chapel Hill in 1993, and she graduated from Fayetteville State University with master’s degree in business administration in 2001. Powell is a doctoral student working on her degree in higher education and executive leadership at Wingate University with plans to defend her dissertation in August.  

“I was very excited and very pleased because I pray for this position all the time,” Powell said. “I pray about letting God show through me so I can reach the students in letting them know that this really does open doors to opportunities.”  

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