Twenty-three graduate from MGCCC’s Apprentice Electric Lineman Program

Kneeling from left to right: Russell Smith, Nicholas Forman, Korey Miller, and Danny Havard. Sitting from left to right: Travis Pierce, Klinton Cochran, Jonathon Holland, Sherman Smith, and Brandon Padgett. Standing from left to right (front row): Stephen Bowen, Eric Keel, Bryant Hautau, Colton Williams, Ryan Shattles, Colby Ezell, William Pitts, David Merritt, Brandon Seward, Hunter Gann. Standing from left to right (back row): Gary Gaden, Jonathan Blackinchip, DeKoven Wright, and Matthew Breland.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s George County Center held its fall graduation ceremony for 23 students who completed the Apprentice Electric Lineman Program on Friday, December 12. This was the nineteenth class to graduate from the program, bringing the total to 359 students since 1999.

Dr. Dean Belton, administrative dean for the center, hosted the ceremony. Dr. Mary Graham, vice president of Gulf Coast’s Perkinston Campus and the George County Center and Buck Williams, Gulf Coast’s Lineman Advisory Board Chairman & Singing River EPA Manager of Risk & Management & Right-of Way Services, were guest speakers. Invocation was delivered by AEL Student, Jonathan Blankinchip. Other industry representatives in attendance were Roy Foster and Jimbo Evans of South Mississippi EPA.

Hunter Gann, Brandon Padgett, and Sherman Smith received an Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Education. Awards were presented to outstanding students including Best Attitude, presented to Colby Ezell; Class Favorite, presented to Danny Havard; Best Overall Climber, presented to Brandon Padgett; Highest Grade Point Average, presented to both Bryant Hautau and Russell Smith; Most Improved Climber, presented to Russell Smith; and Best Truck Driver, presented to Ryan Shattles, who was also selected by his class peers as Class Beauty.

Recognized for Perfect Attendance were Jonathan Blackinchip, Matthew Breland, Colby Ezell, Nicholas Forman, Gary Gaden, Bryant Hautau, David Merritt, Travis Pierce, Williams Pitts, Brandon Seward, Ryan Shattles, Russell Smith, Sherman Smith, and Colton Williams.