WICOMICO GRADUATES. John Cannon of Salisbury, president of the Wicomico County Council, congratulates some of the graduates who received their associate degrees at Wor-Wic Community College commencement exercises at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. From left, next to Cannon, are Jessica Messick of Hebron, a STEM graduate, Jordan Price of Fruitland, a general studies graduate, Connor Moskov of Pittsville, a computer studies cybersecurity graduate, Rochelle Jones of Salisbury, a culinary arts graduate, and Lewis Barclay of Delmar, Md., a general studies and computer studies graduate.
WORCESTER GRADUATES. At left, Anna G. Newton of Berlin, vice chair of the board of trustees at Wor-Wic Community College, congratulates some of the graduates from Worcester County who received their associate degrees at commencement exercises at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. From left, next to Newton, are Bradley Boyer of Snow Hill, an electro-mechanical technologies graduate, and Takia Long of Berlin, a criminal justice graduate.
SOMERSET GRADUATES. Del. Charles J. Otto, R-38A, from Princess Anne, at left, congratulates some of the graduates from Somerset County who received their associate degrees at Wor-Wic Community College commencement exercises at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. From left, next to Otto, are Jada Kelly of Eden, an education graduate, Guillermo Rojas of Crisfield, a welding graduate, and Trisha Vazquez of Princess Anne, a chemical dependency counseling graduate.
UPPER SHORE GRADUATES. Some of the graduates from the Upper Shore who received their associate degrees at Wor-Wic Community College commencement exercises at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center included, from left, Ta’Quala Harris of Federalsburg, a nursing graduate, Darryl Icenhower of Cambridge, a chemical dependency counseling graduate, and Michaela Connoley of Trappe, a nursing graduate.
SPEAKER. At left, Jason Miller, principal at Prince Street Elementary School, was the commencement speaker at Wor-Wic Community College commencement exercises at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center. Joining him are Deborah Casey, Ph.D., of Salisbury, president of the college; Morgan Hazel, chair of the board of trustees at Wor-Wic; and John Cannon of Salisbury, president of the Wicomico County Council.
GRADUATING DUO. Veteran student Paul Bailey of Sharptown made sure his service dog Reina was appropriately dressed to walk the stage with him at the Wor-Wic Community College commencement at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center.
MASCOT. New mascot Fin was introduced during the Wor-Wic Community College commencement ceremony as part of the college’s 50th anniversary celebration.
COMMENCEMENT CROWD. Hundreds of graduates and their families and supporters came out to the Wor-Wic Community College commencement ceremony at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center.
During Wor-Wic Community College commencement ceremonies at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, Jason Miller, principal of Prince Street Elementary, encouraged graduates to emulate the qualities of the college’s dolphin mascot, which was chosen while Miller was president of the Student Government Association.
“Like dolphins, you’ve used your curiosity and intellect to navigate through challenges and discover your strengths. Never stop learning or asking questions,” Miller said. “Dolphins thrive in ever-changing ocean environments. Graduates, as you venture into new waters, be flexible. Adapt, pivot and ride the waves that come your way. As you leap into the next chapter, whether it’s a new job, a new degree or a new beginning, remember the lessons of the dolphin: stay curious, stay connected and always ride the wave with confidence.”
After the commencement address by Miller, Deborah Casey, Ph.D., president of Wor-Wic, presented him with a plaque on behalf of the 2025 graduating class.
As a member of the class who helped usher in the dolphin mascot Wicky, it was fitting that Miller also helped see the mascot “graduate” at this year’s commencement, and helped bring on board Fin, the new dolphin taking the mascot reins from Wicky.
“As we toast the legacy of Wicky, we usher in a new era of campus and community pride — one where Wor-Wic dolphins are synonymous with Fin’s spirit, energy and fearlessness,” Casey said.
Morgan Hazel, chairperson of Wor-Wic’s board of trustees, introduced the commencement speaker, members of the board of trustees and other guests on stage.
Dr. Michael Hutmaker, vice president for student affairs, introduced the student speaker, Rochelle Jones of Salisbury. Jones earned her associate degree in culinary arts while also working as a nursing assistant.
“To my fellow culinary arts graduates, I encourage you to see the kitchen as more than just a workplace,” Jones said. “It’s a space where passion meets creativity, where we have the privilege of bringing people together and creating memories through the universal language of food.”
Jones advised all of her fellow graduates to support their community. “Achievement is not just about individual success but also about how we uplift others,” she said.
Casey presented the 2024-2025 President’s Student Excellence Award, sponsored by the Wor-Wic Community College Foundation, to Mustafa Kilicarslan Jr. of Delmar, Del., a dual enrollment student who graduated with an associate of science in STEM engineering two weeks earlier than graduating from high school. Other nominees were Jones, as well as Dylan Jung of Berlin, who earned two associate of science degrees in STEM engineering and STEM physics, and Riley N. Taylor of Delmar, Md., who earned an associate of science in STEM engineering.
The 2024-2025 President’s Distinguished Faculty Award, sponsored by the Wor-Wic Community College Foundation, was presented to Juley Harper, associate professor of English, and Dr. Tiffany Kotra-Loos, clinical coordinator and associate professor physical therapist assistant program.
Nursing was the most popular major among members of the graduating class, with 110 students receiving degrees or certificates. It was followed by general studies and criminal justice, each with 102 graduates earning certificates or degrees.
The majority of the graduates were from Salisbury or other parts of Wicomico County, followed by Worcester and then Somerset counties. Graduates were also from Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot and other counties in Maryland, as well as from nearby states.
In addition to the speakers, dignitaries included Del. Barry Beauchamp, R-38B, of Salisbury; Sen. John F. “Johnny” Mautz IV, R-37, of St. Michaels; Del. Charles J. Otto, R-38A, of Princess Anne; John Cannon, president, and Jeff Merritt, member of the Wicomico County Council, both of Salisbury; and Julie Giordano of Hebron, Wicomico County Executive. In addition to Hazel, board of trustees members in attendance included vice chairperson Anna G. Newton of Berlin and members Russell W. Blake of Pocomoke City, Kimberly C. Gillis and Martin T. Neat of Salisbury, and Lorraine Purnell-Ayres of Snow Hill. Foundation board treasurer Bill Shockley of Berlin and board of directors member Marcus Beal of Lewes, Del., were also in attendance, as well as David L. Pierce, director of Wallops Flight Facility. Dr. Angela Lee of the Fivefold Global Ministry Travel Network gave the invocation and benediction.