Johnston Community College Celebrates Class of 2022
Published: May 19, 2022JCC confers degrees, diplomas and awards outstanding achievements at graduation ceremony
Johnston Community College’s spring graduation ceremony was held this week. The outdoor
event took place on the lawn of the Learning Resource Center on campus.
The college’s interim president, Dr. Kenneth Boham, led the commencement ceremonies. The Honorable Addie Rawls, former N.C. District Court Judge, was the speaker.
Judge Rawls touted the great accomplishments of the students, most of whom started college during a pandemic. “You are fully prepared to accept life’s challenges, to continue to matriculate, and to move forward,” she said in her speech.
Nearly 250 graduates participated in the 2022 ceremony. Over the course of the academic year, the college conferred 679 degrees, 88 diplomas, and 407 certificates. Seventy-four students graduated with honors and eleven graduated with high honors.
As they are each year, three students were also awarded for their outstanding achievements. The winner of the 2022 President’s Award was Crystal Gift. Gift graduated from JCC’s radiography program with high honors. She was recognized for her stellar academic record and demonstrated leadership.
This year’s Citizenship Award was awarded to Dorien Ruffin. While Ruffin represented
the Jaguar Men’s Basketball Team, he was also an ambassador, a member of the Black
Student Alliance, and mentor at Innovations Academy. He graduated with honors. 
The winner of the Academic Excellence Award was Seham Saleh. Saleh graduated with high honors in JCC’s Associates of Science Program. She was also the secretary of the Student Government Association and participated in many other campus activities.
The ceremony ended with the turning of the tassels and a charge from Lyn Austin, Chair of the JCC Board of Trustees. “We are proud of you. You be proud of yourself. Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” Austin told the graduates.