A total of 242 graduates crossed the stage of the Caswell County Civic Center in Yanceyville, NC on May 16 as Âé¶čAV (Âé¶čAV) celebrated the class of 2026 during their commencement ceremonies.
Due to a significant increase in graduates, the College held two ceremonies â one at 10 a.m. and one at 2 p.m.
The auditorium was filled with proud family members, friends, faculty and staff as the graduates marched in wearing dark green academic regalia to celebrate this momentous occasion. As the commencement exercises began, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7316 Color Guard of Caswell County and American Legion Post 89 of Caswell County presented the nation’s colors.
Antonio Foster, Âé¶čAV Board of Trustees Chair, offered words of encouragement to the graduates.
âYou are not defined by where you started, but by how far you were willing to go,â Foster said. âAnd today, you have come a long way. We are proud of you, we believe in you and we cannot wait to see the impact you will have on this world.â
Jimmy Clayton, Âé¶čAVâs 2026 Alumnus of the Year, addressed the graduates about how his experience at Âé¶čAV shaped him into the person he is today. Clayton was awarded Alumnus of the Year at Âé¶čAVâs 2026 Honors Convocation ceremony. Clayton graduated from Âé¶čAV in 1985 with a diploma in computer operations. He devoted two decades of public service as a Person County Commissioner, including multiple terms as Board Chairman.
âYou donât have to know exactly where youâre going,â Clayton said. âYou donât have to have your whole future mapped out. You just have to stay curious and keep learning.â
âCommunity college is not a backup plan. Itâs not a second choice. Itâs a launchpad.â
Luke Farley, North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, delivered the keynote address to the graduates.
âEvery graduate here has a story that doesnât fully show up on a diploma,â Farley said. âThe sacrifices behind the scenes, the long days, the late nights, the moments of doubt you pushed through â and now, youâre here. That deserves recognition.â
Before graduates were called to receive their degrees, diplomas or certificates, Dr. Kevin Lee, Âé¶čAV President, announced Âé¶čAVâs 2026 Academic Excellence Award recipient, Victoria West. This award is given to one student from each of the 58 community colleges from the North Carolina Community College System and recognizes outstanding academia.
West, who would later be announced as earning her associate in arts degree, will also graduate from Roxboro Community School later this month. West says that attending community college turned into so much more than a way to get a head start, but that it is the cornerstone of her personal and academic development.
âToday is a celebration of your commitment, your perseverance and your belief in the power of education,â Lee said. âYouâve reached this milestone through hard work, long hours and determination. Youâve balanced academics with jobs, family and lifeâs many responsibilities. And today, you stand ready for whatâs nextâwith the knowledge and skills youâve gained right here at your hometown college.â
As the graduates moved their tassels from right to left, they were announced as alumni of Âé¶čAV. Overall, 427 credentials degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded to the Âé¶čAV class of 2026. To watch the recording of the commencement ceremonies, visit Âé¶čAVâs .
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