Vicksburg nursing student graduates from Hinds CC in drive-thru ceremony

Kamen Wells of Vicksburg graduated from Hinds Community College July 29, driving in a car under a partly cloudy summer sky instead of walking across an auditorium stage.

He was among more than 600 students who participated in a drive-thru graduation ceremony over a four-day period. But it was worth it to him to officially receive his Associate Degree in Nursing.

Wells, 32, first got a degree in business before a practical nursing degree that led him to the ADN.

“I wanted to be a nurse from the beginning, but people said being a nurse wasn’t something men did. I did the business thing for a minute, and then I said, ‘You know what, I’m going to go back and do nursing,’” Wells said.

He is currently working as an infection control nurse at Clinton Health Care.

“I love it,” he said. “Hinds was great. It was very supportive.”

Celebrating with Kerri Neely of Raymond, center, were brother Will Neely, mom Kim Neely, fiance’ Toby Buchanan and dad Dan Neely. Neely received a certificate in practical nursing on July 29 from Hinds Community College at a drive-through graduation. (Hinds Community College/Tammi Bowles)

Because of social distancing restrictions with the COVID-19 pandemic, Hinds was unable to have traditional ceremonies inside. The spring and summer ceremonies were combined and turned into a drive-thru event over three days at Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond from July 29 to July 31 and a fourth day at the Utica Campus Aug. 1.

Each graduate is greeted by the new college president, Dr. Stephen Vacik, who took office July 1, and cheered on by members of the Executive Leadership Team, all of whom will be wearing masks.

Kerri Neely of Raymond drove through with her car full of supporters, including her parents, brother and fiancé, who watched her receive a career certificate for practical nursing.

Hinds was a natural choice for her. “We grew up at Hinds,” said Neely, whose mother is a Hinds employee.

The nursing program “is a lot of hard work, a lot of studying. You don’t feel like you have a life for a while, but it’s all worth it in the end,” she said.

Reagan Miley of Florence received a surgical technology degree from Hinds Community College on July 29 at a drive-through graduation. WithTammi Bowles here are, from left, Kyle McKay and her parents, Amy Robinson and Rex Miley. (Photo by Tammi Bowles, courtesy Hinds Community College)

Reagan Miley of Florence received her degree in surgical technology, a field she chose because “I like helping whoever I can, however I can.”

She already has a job lined up – the robotics team at Baptist Medical Center.