PEARL – WhenJudye Braneff’s job in the banking industry was eliminated, it was time to come up with Plan B.
Judye Braneff, left, of Jackson, and Tamara Daniels, of Vaughan, share a pose before summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. Each earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology. (Ϲ/April Garon)
“I lost my job in the industry and came to Hinds,” said Braneff, 60, of Jackson,who had her aptitude for getting into health data and statistics eyed early on by her instructors.
“This was a perfect fit for me,” she said as she prepared to graduate among 319 people participatingin two summer graduationceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. In all, 391 credentials were conferred to 611 who graduated from the college.
Braneff, who earned an Associate in Applied Science in Health Information Technology, was among about 130 who participated in the 8 a.m. ceremony for nursing and allied health graduates, many of whom switched careers to take advantage of Hinds’ stellar offerings in health-related areas of study. Graduates in academic and career-technical programs received credentials at a ceremony held at 11 a.m.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to come to Hinds,” said Cherilyn Switzer, 45, of Pearl, who was a teacher’s assistant before moving over to healthcare.
Clyde Wilson, 45, of Jackson, was in a management position before pursuing his own Associate in Applied Science credential in the same field.
Peggy Hobson Calhoun speaks to graduates during summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. (Ϲ/April Garon)
“It’s been a change for me, but I’ve gotten a whole new career now,” Wilson said.
Wilson was among 197 who graduated with honors, in his case cum laude, which is a 3.2 to 3.59 grade point average. Another 47 graduated magna cum laude, or a 3.6 to 3.99 grade point average, and 65 graduated summa cum laude, or a 4.0 grade point average. The total of 197 honor graduates equaled about one-third of the summer graduating class.
Peggy Hobson Calhoun, who represents District 3 on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, spoke to graduates at both ceremonies.
“Evaluate needed areas of improvement, and keep your vision alive for your profession,” Calhoun said.
Clyde Wilson, of Jackson, prepares for summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. Wilson earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Information Technology. (Ϲ/April Garon)
Cherilyn Switzer, of Pearl, adjusts a fellow graduate’s cap before summer graduation ceremonies July 27 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus. Switzer earned a Technical Certificate in Surgical Technology. (Ϲ/April Garon)