December 9, 2016 - On Thursday, December 8, 2016, Panola College conducted its 78th commencement in the Arthur Johnson Gymnasium. Due to the growing enrollment, the College divided commencement into two graduation ceremonies for the first time. The first ceremony took place at 5:00 p.m. followed by a second ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Panola College had 268 degree and certificate candidates and 156 of those students participated in the commencement ceremonies.
At the start of both ceremonies, Dr. Joe Shannon, Vice President of Instruction, presented each graduating class of fall 2016 as Dr. Gregory Powell, President of Panola College led the processional of board members, faculty, staff, and students in to be seated while “Pomp and Circumstance” was played in the background.
Following the alma mater, sang by Panola College Chorale, and directed by Mrs. Sandra Bauer, Powell welcomed the assembled and gave opening remarks. Before the awards ceremony, Shannon certified to Powell and members of the Panola College Board of Trustees that the graduating students had completed all work necessary to graduate from Panola College.
Dr. Kathy Watlington, Professor of Foreign Languages, then began the reading of graduates and Powell awarded diplomas to all graduating students.
For the closing of both ceremonies, Mr. Freddy Mason, Dean of Liberal Arts & Sciences, gave the benediction, followed by Shannon leading the recessional to the closing instrumentals.
List of honor graduates
Panola College is proud to announce the following fall 2016 Honor Graduates:
Summa Cum Laude 3.90 – 4.00
Pedro Aguilar
Charlotte Cotton Fannin
Kevin Lee Fenton
Elena Maria Flores
Jason S. Freeman
Kollin Trent Hurt
Harley Marie Thomas
Elida Villarreal
Tyra Dawn Williams
Magna Cum Laude 3.75 – 3.89
Liliana Castaneda
Alexys Cheyenne Hammett
Jessica Jo Horton
Randall Aaron Jackson
Kami Elanie Koenig
Lauren Latham
Tamara Latham
Raquel Marquez
Monica Montoya
Thomas Powell
Shannon Renee Pruett
Christopher Ramirez
Holly Kristina Royer
Salvador Santana
Kyle Dean Walker
Cum Laude 3.50 – 3.74
Brandie L. Benedetti
Thomas Anthony Bierman
Debra L. Dickerson
Janice Marie Fincher
Miguel Garcia
Kastley Shayne Greer
Braulio Barron Guevara
Jennifer Hauer
Joshua Alan Hickman
Karissa Hicks
LyJessica Nicole Jackson
Amber Rae Jarrett
Hannah Harris Johnson
Natalie Mcbride
Jessica Ruth Millican
Isaiah Houston Molloy
Sartia Herrera Page
Melanie Joyce Pinkston
Spencer James Rolland
McCartney Satterwhite
Sarah Shadowens
Isaax Lamar Shofner
James Ray Smith
Tanesha Javon Smith
Kyle Wayne Wallace
Taylor Christine Wilkerson
