Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Northeast State awarded two academic certificates, 177 technical certificates, 176 associate of applied science degrees, 17 associate of arts degrees, and 232 associate of science degrees during its fall 2024 commencement.

During spring commencement, the college awarded degrees and certificates to 853 students, bringing the total number of 2024 graduates to 1,353.

Northeast State President Jeff McCord commended the students for their persistence and determination in achieving their educational goals.

“The faculty and staff are honored to have walked alongside you on this journey,” McCord said. “Be proud of what you have accomplished and where you started, but don’t settle. Go into the community, region, and the world and make something good happen. Congratulations. We’re cheering for you and can’t wait to see what you do.”

A total of 64 students graduated cum laude (grade point average 3.50–3.74); 25 graduated magna cum laude (grade point average 3.75–3.89), and 44 graduated summa cum laude (grade point average 3.89–4.0).

Graduating students Jennifer C. Farmer, Ian Hall, Chey O’Brien, Sarah Elizabeth Dotson, and Anne Stinnett served as commencement speakers.

Farmer, an Engineering Design and Computer-Aided Drafting major, is from Kingsport; Hall, a Nursing major, is from Bristol; O’Brien, a Communication Studies major, is from Afton; Dotson, a Nursing major, is from Kingsport; and Stinnett, a Business Administration major, is from Jonesborough.

“I stand here humbled and proud of each and every one of you. We’ve all come so far,” O’Brien told his fellow graduates. “I challenge you to go find your direction and passion and then chase your dreams.”

“We did it. We’ve overcome obstacles, celebrated achievements, and grown in ways we never thought possible,” Stinnett said. “Let’s go out there and make our mark as change-makers who lead with passion, courage, and purpose. The future is ours to shape, and I have no doubt we’ll rise to the occasion.”

Commencement was held on the Blountville campus at the Ballad Health Center for the Performing Arts.