Due to the large number of graduates, FTCC will hold ceremonies at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m.
The morning commencement will recognize graduates from FTCC’s public service, engineering and applied technology, allied health technologies, nursing and continuing education programs. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., with doors opening to the public at 9 a.m.
The afternoon commencement will recognize graduates from FTCC’s arts and humanities, business, math and sciences and computer information technology programs. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., with doors opening to the public at 1 p.m.
Each ceremony will have its own commencement speaker. Cape Fear Valley Health System CEO Michael Nagowski will give the commencement address at the morning ceremony and Dr. Y. Sammy Choi, director of the Department of Research at Womack Army Medical Center, will give the commencement address in the afternoon.
Pastor Sharon Thompson-Journigan, president of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Ministerial Council and pastor of Integrity Ministries Global Church in Eastover, will provide the invocation and benediction at both ceremonies.
The graduates will include Jennifer and Jenna Warnock, a mother and daughter who are both graduating from FTCC. Mom Jennifer Warnock is graduating with an Associate degree in Physical Therapy Assistant. Daughter Jenna Warnock is graduating with an Associate degree in Arts. Both Warnocks have earned highest honors and Jenna Warnock was voted the recipient of FTCC’s President’s Award.
The two women said they’re proud of each other and pleased with their educational experience at FTCC. Jennifer Warnock said she learned about FTCC’s physical therapy assistant program more than a decade ago. Even after moving away, the family had always planned to return to Fayetteville so she could enroll in the program. A few years ago, the Warnocks did just that, moving back to Fayetteville from northern Virginia.
Jennifer Warnock said the PTA program was as good as she had expected.
Meanwhile, after COVID forced Jenna Warnock to close out her sophomore year at Jack Britt High School with online classes, she decided to quit school — with her parents’ blessing. That summer, she took the GED test at FTCC and passed, then enrolled three weeks later in FTCC as a college student.
Jenna Warnock, now 18, said her experience at FTCC provided a challenging education along with caring instructors and robust resources. She said the affordable tuition saved the family thousands of dollars and she was able to live at home even while getting involved in a variety of student activities.
Jenna Warnock’s next step will be transferring to Appalachian State University where she plans to study to become a registered dietitian. Jennifer Warnock, who teaches yoga, plans to work part time as a physical therapy assistant.
They won’t lose touch with FTCC — in part because another family member (Jennifer Warnock’s son and Jenna Warnock’s brother) — is pursuing his degree in fire protection technology. He will graduate next year.
“We love FTCC!” Jenna Warnock said.