Lenoir Community College Celebrates Class of 2026 at Annual Commencement Ceremony
Lenoir Community College celebrated its 64th Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 7, recognizing the achievements of more than 400 graduates whose educational journeys reflect determination, perseverance, and personal growth. Family members, faculty, staff, and community supporters gathered at the LCC Gymnasium to honor the Class of 2026 and celebrate this important milestone.
Dr. Rusty Hunt, LCC President, opened the ceremony by recognizing the unique paths students took to reach graduation and the resilience they demonstrated along the way.
“You are leaving here with more than a degree or credential,” Hunt said. “You are leaving here with confidence, with skills, with experience, and with the ability to make a meaningful impact—whether that’s in your career, your community, or your continued education.”
Student Government Association President Derek Carrillo-Moreno delivered the student address, reflecting on leadership, perseverance, and the importance of community during the college experience.
“What matters is that we keep moving forward,” Carrillo-Moreno said. “That we stay open to new opportunities, and that we continue to lead, not just with our voices, but with our actions.”
The ceremony also recognized three outstanding student award recipients:
· Vallarie Hill, recipient of the Dallas Herring Achievement Award
· Derek Carrillo-Moreno, recipient of the Governor Robert Scott Leadership Award
· Taryn Barnett, recipient of the Academic Excellence Award
Hill was recognized for her perseverance while pursuing her education amid significant personal challenges and for exemplifying the North Carolina Community College System’s philosophy of “taking people where they are and carrying them as far as they can go.”
Carrillo-Moreno was honored for his leadership and service to the College through his role as Student Government Association president, student ambassador, and involvement in numerous community outreach and volunteer initiatives while pursuing studies in aviation management.
Barnett was honored for her exceptional academic achievement, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA while balancing work, volunteer service, and completing both her high school diploma from Lenoir County Early College High School and two associate degrees from LCC.
As graduates crossed the stage to receive their degrees, diplomas, and certificates, family members and supporters filled the gymnasium with applause and celebration, marking the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice.
The evening concluded with the traditional turning of the tassels as the Class of 2026 officially became graduates of Lenoir Community College.
For more information about Lenoir Community College and its programs, visit www.lenoircc.edu.
