Beaufort County Community College students marked one of the most important events in their lives Thursday.

More than 200 students gathered in Washington High School’s Performing Arts Center for the college’s 2017 graduation ceremony. The celebration marked the final graduation before BCCC President Dr. Barbara Tansey’s retirement on May 31.

The college is also celebrating its 50^th year in operation. Scott Shook, chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges, delivered the keynote address.

Brandy Holliday, 34, earned her associate degree in human services technology, and like many others, she plans to continue her education.

“After this, I plan on going to get a bachelor’s in social work,” Holliday said. “In my neighborhood, I was around a lot of kids that had been abused, so my goal is to be a voice for them.”

Holliday served as a BCCC ambassador this year.

Elizabeth Knox, 32, also plans to continue her education. She earned an associate degree in nursing from BCCC and is planning to study to be a nurse practitioner in a neonatal unit.

“I had lost my first daughter. … She was in NICU for a brief moment. After that, I just wanted to special in neonatal,” Knox explained. “I’m excited. It was hard but rewarding.”

Besides Shook, other speakers included Tansey, Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Laura Staton and Vice President of Academics Dr. Crystal Ange.

Special award recipients included: Marquitta McCray, Dallas Herring Achievement Award (received posthumously); Ric Balanay, Academic Achievement Award; Tyler Campbell, Robert W. Scott Leadership Award; Brandy Holliday and Kyle Sadler, All-USA Community College Award.

“It’s the end of a very long journey, and so tonight is a culmination of a lot of hard work,” said Kent Dickerson, BCCC director of nursing. “For our faculty and our students, this is why we do this.”

Dickerson said Thursday night was all about celebration, but it can be bittersweet to see some of the students move on. Nonetheless, it was a proud moment for the faculty and staff.

“One thing that I can say about all our faculty with all our students, we know all of their names, and we know a little bit about each one of them, and you don’t get that at a larger institutions,” Dickerson said. “We are a tight-knit community in a tight-knit community.”