“I’m ready.”
This was the common sentiment among graduates as they waited in the wings of the Libla Family Sports Complex at Three Rivers College, moments before commencement.
Graduate Madalyn Hammond was nervous, but excited.
“I almost wanted to give up several times, but I’m here,” she said.
She had earned an Associate of Arts in Health Science, an Associate of Sciences in Social Work for transfer to Hannibal-LaGrange University, plus a 42-hour Certificate in General Education.
Another graduate, Kevin Jones Jr., was leaving with an Associate of Arts in Business Administration and a deep sense of accomplishment.
“I’m feeling great — I’m the first generation in my family to go to college,” he said.
Approximately 515 students turned their tassels Friday, May 20, at TRC’s 45th Annual Commencement. Three Rivers President Dr. Wesley Payne thanked educators for embracing and enabling their students’ dreams.
“These faculty members are dedicated to educating their students,” he praised.
Speakers Chris Williams, chairman of the TRC Board of Trustees, applauded students and said he would continue to advocate for TRC and its continuing expansion.
“Education is a key to a better quality of life for our area,” he said, and this encompasses students, their families and the community at large.
Dr. Amy Rowland, operator of Rowland Family Dentistry, was the featured speaker.
The 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient shared her own story of success through TRC. Rowland was a single mother diagnosed with Hogkins lymphoma when she began her studies. She heard plenty of naysayers, she said, but “for every negative voice, there was another telling me I could.”
Those uplifting voices came from teachers, mentors and family. Graduating from TRC’s nursing program enabled her to enroll in the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, where she earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery with honors for achievement in periodontics, operative dentistry and treatment of the disabled. At the commencement she acknowledged many of the students sitting before her had faced similar struggles with health, raising families and more as they studied.
“I applaud you for fighting those negative voices... And I salute every friend, family and educator who’s been there to support you,” Rowland said.
Payne took the stage again to give special recognition to graduates who exemplified TRC’s values of “extraordinary determination, loyalty and faith in their abilities.”
The first was Sarah Savat, who was one of several first-generation graduates as well as a single mother.
“In a time of turmoil and great uncertainty, Sarah wanted to establish a better future for herself and her children,” Payne said.
In a written statement read by Payne, Savat credited her instructors’ availability and the flexibility of courses for enabling her to earn her degree while still being an engaged mother. She had special thanks for Housing Director Adrian Jameson for “pushing me to keep going every time I thought I was going to quit,” and her father for his support.
She graduated with an Associate of Applied Science.
Tammy Riddle represented non-traditional students, those who did not go straight to college after graduating high school.
Riddle, a mother and grandmother, dropped out of college to marry and begin a family. She survived a toxic marriage and adopted four children in addition to her biological ones. It was her experience with one of her sons and his struggle with mental health which put her on the path to TRC.
“You never realize how many brick walls there are until you try to help someone in need and no one can tell you where to go,” she said.
She graduated with an Associate of Applied Science in Behavioral Health Support, which she described as the first of many victories in the fight against mental illness.
“Tammy is determined to make a difference in the lives of others, and show them anything is possible if you want it badly enough,” Payne said.
Next Payne introduced Markisha Ray, a veteran, non-traditional student and first-generation graduate. She earned an Associate of Science and One-Year Certificate in the face of loss and a sickle cell anemia diagnosis.
In her statement, Ray explained she had always been determined to make something of herself.
“Even though I prayed for this and kept my faith, I still can’t believe it is happening,” she said. “A person who came from nothing is going after everything.”
Emma Eubank was one of several dual credit students earning their high school diploma and Associates degrees concurrently. Payne called these students “some of the most dedicated.” Eubank stands out among them, however, because she overcame major back surgery and two life-changing diagnoses — Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Celiac’s disease — on her journey to commencement.
“Through all of this, she continued to pursue her goal, while also spending a significant among of time each week training and teaching numerous dance styles at the Poplar Bluff Dance Studio,” Payne said.
Eubank credited dancing with teaching her how to overcome pain.
Eubank graduated magna cum laude with an Associate of Arts and reached the top 10% of her class at Poplar Bluff High School. She gave special thanks to her parents, friends, high school advisors and science teachers, and finally the staff at TRC. She will attend the University of Iowa and continue her studies in Biological Sciences.