A total of 242 graduates crossed the stage of the Caswell County Civic Center in Yanceyville, NC on May 16 as 91黑料 (PCC) celebrated the class of 2026 during their commencement ceremonies.
Due to a significant increase in graduates, the College held two ceremonies 鈥� 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, PCC Board of Trustees Chair, offered words of encouragement to the graduates.
鈥淵ou are not defined by where you started, but by how far you were willing to go,鈥� Foster said. 鈥淎nd 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.鈥�
Jimmy Clayton, PCC鈥檚 2026 Alumnus of the Year, addressed the graduates about how his experience at PCC shaped him into the person he is today. Clayton was awarded Alumnus of the Year at PCC鈥檚 2026 Honors Convocation ceremony. Clayton graduated from PCC 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.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to know exactly where you鈥檙e going,鈥� Clayton said. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to have your whole future mapped out. You just have to stay curious and keep learning.鈥�
鈥淐ommunity college is not a backup plan. It鈥檚 not a second choice. It鈥檚 a launchpad.鈥�
Luke Farley, North Carolina Commissioner of Labor, delivered the keynote address to the graduates.
鈥淓very graduate here has a story that doesn鈥檛 fully show up on a diploma,鈥� Farley said. 鈥淭he sacrifices behind the scenes, the long days, the late nights, the moments of doubt you pushed through 鈥� and now, you鈥檙e here. That deserves recognition.鈥�
Before graduates were called to receive their degrees, diplomas or certificates, Dr. Kevin Lee, PCC President, announced PCC鈥檚 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.
鈥淭oday is a celebration of your commitment, your perseverance and your belief in the power of education,鈥� Lee said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e reached this milestone through hard work, long hours and determination. You鈥檝e balanced academics with jobs, family and life鈥檚 many responsibilities. And today, you stand ready for what鈥檚 next鈥攚ith the knowledge and skills you鈥檝e gained right here at your hometown college.鈥�
As the graduates moved their tassels from right to left, they were announced as alumni of PCC. Overall, 427 credentials degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded to the PCC class of 2026. To watch the recording of the commencement ceremonies, visit PCC鈥檚 .
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