密西西比州立大学在2025年秋季毕业典礼上表彰毕业生的成就

当卡拉·德梅洛得知她已经通过了佩里西比州立社区学院的最后一个学期并即将毕业时，她笑了，高兴得流下了眼泪。

De Mello was not a native English speaker when she came to Pellissippi State, but the college’s generosity and help through resources like the Start Strong Success Center and the 学术辅导中心 helped the 55-year-old to earn her associate degree.

“I am so proud of me,” De Mello said. “Because I finished in another language with the young people. I am so, so happy.”

Always believe in yourself, De Mello said Friday before participating in Pellissippi’s fall 2025 毕业典礼 Ceremony, which celebrated the graduation of more than 560 students this semester and over 220 from the summer.

De Mello was one of hundreds who received their degree at the ceremony in the Knoxville Convention Center, where Pellissippi President L. Anthony Wise Jr. congratulated graduates, encouraged them to pursue their passion – in the workforce or at a four-year institution – and reminded them that “once a Panther, always a Panther.”

“This is the perfect time to celebrate you – where you’ve been and where you are,” Wise said. “It’s also an opportune time to think about tomorrow, and how you can take what you’ve learned to create a better life for yourself, for your family and for this community.”

Wise’s remarks were followed by those of Regent Christi Branscom from the Tennessee Board of Regents and keynote speaker Heidi Leming, vice chancellor for Student Success and Strategic Partnership at TBR.

优秀的学生被授予荣誉，并在学术和课外活动中脱颖而出，包括学生会、体育和SkillsUSA。

“Your degree isn’t an endpoint, it’s a launchpad,” Leming told graduates. “Stay curious, stay connected and stay committed to making a difference.”

毕业典礼结束了一天的庆祝活动，还包括退伍军人毕业典礼、护士别针仪式和学生合唱团的表演。最后，即将离任的学生利桑德罗·安德烈斯-迭戈接受了Pellissippi对校友的指控。

安德烈斯-迭戈是第一代学生，他感谢家人和其他人对他的支持，他回顾了自己在佩里西比大学取得的成就，这所学校为他提供了千载难逢的出国旅行和学习机会，以及他作为新生介绍会负责人的经历。

他敦促学生们不要害怕向未来迈出第一步，要满怀激情和希望向前迈进。

“Even on stormy days, the sun still finds its way back,” Andres-Diego said. “As we turn the page to start the next chapter of our lives, I want to encourage you to choose light – even when it's hard. Congratulations, class of 2025.”