Pharmaceutical Technology graduate Kimhun Thit (right) talks with classmate Jennifer Upton while waiting to march into commencement on Tuesday.DCCC lauds graduates at campus ceremony
May 14. 2008
By DENEESHA EDWARDS
The Dispatch (Lexington, North Carolina, USA)
For 34-year-old Kimhun Thit, Tuesday marked the next stage in her life and a new beginning at the 44th Commencement Exercise at Davidson County Community College.
In less than 100 minutes, her diploma in Pharmacy Technology became official as she walked with nearly 200 other students who made up the graduating class of 2008.
"I'm so excited to be graduating," Thit said.
Thit, originally from Cambodia, came to the United States in 1999 with her husband of 10 years, Chesda. After moving to North Carolina she began working at Pillowtex, formerly Fieldcrest Cannon Plant 16 in Salisbury, where she stayed for four years until the textile mill closed in 2003. Later that year Thit decided to enroll in a three-month class of English as a second language at DCCC, because she knew little English. Her native language was Khmer.
Not only did the class help improve her communication skills, but it also gave her the confidence to become a citizen, which she acheived in 2004. She didn't stop there. In 2006, she obtained her GED, also from DCCC.
Later that year, Thit was accepted into DCCC's Pharmacy Technology program. Not only did she have to learn the medical terms, she also had to learn computer skills, which were needed for her online courses.
"It was hard for me the first time I took a course for pharmacy," she said.
Thit's dream of becoming a pharmacist began when she was in Cambodia because she wanted to help people.
"I needed to finish my goal," she said. "I like pharmacy."
The road has been tough for the mother of two. She gave thanks to her mother-in-law who watched her 8- and 3-year-old children when she had class. She looks forward to working at Rite Aid on U.S. Highway 64. Her husband has supported the family since she has been in school. She will be working with a pharmacist who is also from Cambodia.
Thit gives a lot of credit to her classmates and the faculty of the college. The help and support she received was very impressive, she said.
"This college has really helped me," she commented. "Everybody was so nice. I don't know how to say thank you."
Although Thit is thrilled, she will be happier when she hears news on receiving her Pharmacy Technology Certification. She took the state bar last week.
"I will be even more happier when I pass that," she commented.
Thit's ultimate goal is to go back to Cambodia one day and be a pharmacist there.
"I can now help my country over there," she said. "I want to help Cambodia out in any way I can."
Thit and the rest of the graduating class stood proud at 6 p.m. in their black caps and gowns with more than 500 guests, students, faculty, family and friends who sat or stood on the lawn in front of the Mendenhall Building.
"Welcome to this exciting event," said Dr. Mary Rittling, president of DCCC. "This is a day like no other. Go out and accomplish great things for yourselves and the community. Don't forget the love and support you found here at your college."
The speaker for the evening was Dr. Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System.
Ralls became the youngest community college president in the state at age 38 when he was named president of Craven Community College in 2002. He earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial relations and psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master of arts degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology where his research focused on technology implementation, workforce training and issues affecting older workers. His masters and doctorate degrees are both from the University of Maryland.
Nearly 700 students were eligible to receive two-year degrees, one-year diplomas and certificates this year.
Lexington native Casandra Kelly was thrilled to receive a two-year associate degree in criminal justice. Her reason for attending the college was to show her two teenage boys there's more to life than just graduating from high school.
"No matter how old you are, you can still get a degree," Kelly, 36, commented. "I wanted to let my kids know you can still be in your 30s and go to school."
Kelly, a single mother, said although the road has been hard with her working, attending classes and raising her children, it was worth it.
"I'm going to get my bachelor's now," she said. "I want to be a juvenile court counselor because I love working with kids."
Stephen Tysinger, 20, came to DCCC in 2006 after graduating from Central Davidson High School. He received a two-year associate degree in arts and has plans to attend Appalachian State University to continue with art and study journalism.
"Both of them always interested me," he said. "I have a passion for writing and art. I'm just happy to graduate, so I can move on up to App."
The road has been tough for the mother of two. She gave thanks to her mother-in-law who watched her 8- and 3-year-old children when she had class. She looks forward to working at Rite Aid on U.S. Highway 64. Her husband has supported the family since she has been in school. She will be working with a pharmacist who is also from Cambodia.
Thit gives a lot of credit to her classmates and the faculty of the college. The help and support she received was very impressive, she said.
"This college has really helped me," she commented. "Everybody was so nice. I don't know how to say thank you."
Although Thit is thrilled, she will be happier when she hears news on receiving her Pharmacy Technology Certification. She took the state bar last week.
"I will be even more happier when I pass that," she commented.
Thit's ultimate goal is to go back to Cambodia one day and be a pharmacist there.
"I can now help my country over there," she said. "I want to help Cambodia out in any way I can."
Thit and the rest of the graduating class stood proud at 6 p.m. in their black caps and gowns with more than 500 guests, students, faculty, family and friends who sat or stood on the lawn in front of the Mendenhall Building.
"Welcome to this exciting event," said Dr. Mary Rittling, president of DCCC. "This is a day like no other. Go out and accomplish great things for yourselves and the community. Don't forget the love and support you found here at your college."
The speaker for the evening was Dr. Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System.
Ralls became the youngest community college president in the state at age 38 when he was named president of Craven Community College in 2002. He earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial relations and psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master of arts degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology where his research focused on technology implementation, workforce training and issues affecting older workers. His masters and doctorate degrees are both from the University of Maryland.
Nearly 700 students were eligible to receive two-year degrees, one-year diplomas and certificates this year.
Lexington native Casandra Kelly was thrilled to receive a two-year associate degree in criminal justice. Her reason for attending the college was to show her two teenage boys there's more to life than just graduating from high school.
"No matter how old you are, you can still get a degree," Kelly, 36, commented. "I wanted to let my kids know you can still be in your 30s and go to school."
Kelly, a single mother, said although the road has been hard with her working, attending classes and raising her children, it was worth it.
"I'm going to get my bachelor's now," she said. "I want to be a juvenile court counselor because I love working with kids."
Stephen Tysinger, 20, came to DCCC in 2006 after graduating from Central Davidson High School. He received a two-year associate degree in arts and has plans to attend Appalachian State University to continue with art and study journalism.
"Both of them always interested me," he said. "I have a passion for writing and art. I'm just happy to graduate, so I can move on up to App."
Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at
deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.
In less than 100 minutes, her diploma in Pharmacy Technology became official as she walked with nearly 200 other students who made up the graduating class of 2008.
"I'm so excited to be graduating," Thit said.
Thit, originally from Cambodia, came to the United States in 1999 with her husband of 10 years, Chesda. After moving to North Carolina she began working at Pillowtex, formerly Fieldcrest Cannon Plant 16 in Salisbury, where she stayed for four years until the textile mill closed in 2003. Later that year Thit decided to enroll in a three-month class of English as a second language at DCCC, because she knew little English. Her native language was Khmer.
Not only did the class help improve her communication skills, but it also gave her the confidence to become a citizen, which she acheived in 2004. She didn't stop there. In 2006, she obtained her GED, also from DCCC.
Later that year, Thit was accepted into DCCC's Pharmacy Technology program. Not only did she have to learn the medical terms, she also had to learn computer skills, which were needed for her online courses.
"It was hard for me the first time I took a course for pharmacy," she said.
Thit's dream of becoming a pharmacist began when she was in Cambodia because she wanted to help people.
"I needed to finish my goal," she said. "I like pharmacy."
The road has been tough for the mother of two. She gave thanks to her mother-in-law who watched her 8- and 3-year-old children when she had class. She looks forward to working at Rite Aid on U.S. Highway 64. Her husband has supported the family since she has been in school. She will be working with a pharmacist who is also from Cambodia.
Thit gives a lot of credit to her classmates and the faculty of the college. The help and support she received was very impressive, she said.
"This college has really helped me," she commented. "Everybody was so nice. I don't know how to say thank you."
Although Thit is thrilled, she will be happier when she hears news on receiving her Pharmacy Technology Certification. She took the state bar last week.
"I will be even more happier when I pass that," she commented.
Thit's ultimate goal is to go back to Cambodia one day and be a pharmacist there.
"I can now help my country over there," she said. "I want to help Cambodia out in any way I can."
Thit and the rest of the graduating class stood proud at 6 p.m. in their black caps and gowns with more than 500 guests, students, faculty, family and friends who sat or stood on the lawn in front of the Mendenhall Building.
"Welcome to this exciting event," said Dr. Mary Rittling, president of DCCC. "This is a day like no other. Go out and accomplish great things for yourselves and the community. Don't forget the love and support you found here at your college."
The speaker for the evening was Dr. Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System.
Ralls became the youngest community college president in the state at age 38 when he was named president of Craven Community College in 2002. He earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial relations and psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master of arts degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology where his research focused on technology implementation, workforce training and issues affecting older workers. His masters and doctorate degrees are both from the University of Maryland.
Nearly 700 students were eligible to receive two-year degrees, one-year diplomas and certificates this year.
Lexington native Casandra Kelly was thrilled to receive a two-year associate degree in criminal justice. Her reason for attending the college was to show her two teenage boys there's more to life than just graduating from high school.
"No matter how old you are, you can still get a degree," Kelly, 36, commented. "I wanted to let my kids know you can still be in your 30s and go to school."
Kelly, a single mother, said although the road has been hard with her working, attending classes and raising her children, it was worth it.
"I'm going to get my bachelor's now," she said. "I want to be a juvenile court counselor because I love working with kids."
Stephen Tysinger, 20, came to DCCC in 2006 after graduating from Central Davidson High School. He received a two-year associate degree in arts and has plans to attend Appalachian State University to continue with art and study journalism.
"Both of them always interested me," he said. "I have a passion for writing and art. I'm just happy to graduate, so I can move on up to App."
The road has been tough for the mother of two. She gave thanks to her mother-in-law who watched her 8- and 3-year-old children when she had class. She looks forward to working at Rite Aid on U.S. Highway 64. Her husband has supported the family since she has been in school. She will be working with a pharmacist who is also from Cambodia.
Thit gives a lot of credit to her classmates and the faculty of the college. The help and support she received was very impressive, she said.
"This college has really helped me," she commented. "Everybody was so nice. I don't know how to say thank you."
Although Thit is thrilled, she will be happier when she hears news on receiving her Pharmacy Technology Certification. She took the state bar last week.
"I will be even more happier when I pass that," she commented.
Thit's ultimate goal is to go back to Cambodia one day and be a pharmacist there.
"I can now help my country over there," she said. "I want to help Cambodia out in any way I can."
Thit and the rest of the graduating class stood proud at 6 p.m. in their black caps and gowns with more than 500 guests, students, faculty, family and friends who sat or stood on the lawn in front of the Mendenhall Building.
"Welcome to this exciting event," said Dr. Mary Rittling, president of DCCC. "This is a day like no other. Go out and accomplish great things for yourselves and the community. Don't forget the love and support you found here at your college."
The speaker for the evening was Dr. Scott Ralls, president of the North Carolina Community College System.
Ralls became the youngest community college president in the state at age 38 when he was named president of Craven Community College in 2002. He earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial relations and psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master of arts degree in industrial and organizational psychology and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology where his research focused on technology implementation, workforce training and issues affecting older workers. His masters and doctorate degrees are both from the University of Maryland.
Nearly 700 students were eligible to receive two-year degrees, one-year diplomas and certificates this year.
Lexington native Casandra Kelly was thrilled to receive a two-year associate degree in criminal justice. Her reason for attending the college was to show her two teenage boys there's more to life than just graduating from high school.
"No matter how old you are, you can still get a degree," Kelly, 36, commented. "I wanted to let my kids know you can still be in your 30s and go to school."
Kelly, a single mother, said although the road has been hard with her working, attending classes and raising her children, it was worth it.
"I'm going to get my bachelor's now," she said. "I want to be a juvenile court counselor because I love working with kids."
Stephen Tysinger, 20, came to DCCC in 2006 after graduating from Central Davidson High School. He received a two-year associate degree in arts and has plans to attend Appalachian State University to continue with art and study journalism.
"Both of them always interested me," he said. "I have a passion for writing and art. I'm just happy to graduate, so I can move on up to App."
Deneesha Edwards can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 213, or at
deneesha.edwards@the-dispatch.com.
13 comments:
Congratulation!
My beloved Khmers!
Congratulation to her great accomplishment!
Right now, I mentally feel insanse. I want to go back to school to earn my GED.
WTF good will that do? Ah Gorilla will always be Ah Gorilla.
AND 12:50 AM ANONYMOUS STILL ALWAYS IN THE DARK BECAUSE OF 12:50AM.
His brains are full of hatred from birth!
No need to take the GED; it just wastes your time. Like me I went straight to undergraduate school for BS. She got one step accomplishment, but still long way to go if she wants to become a pharmacist.
BS = Boss Shit
MS = More Shit
PhD = Doctor of Psychic
Great accomplishment.Congratulation! Happy for her.
Hope to see more Khmer graduates.
Congratulation for your accomplishment second step of your dream. Continue with your last step get a job that you want and train for.
Very funny 1:19 AM and I do agree with you. By the way, congratulation Kimhun Thit. Please keep up your good work and I hope you're going for higher degrees...
Best,
It seem that with every little step Khmer take someone always want Khmer to take 2 steps back.
Isn't it good to be well inform and well educated, no matter what major one's get?
Sure, but the problem is most of the curriculums in the west are full of rhetorics and euphemisms, not facts.
congratulations! encourage others to see the same benefit and please work hard. god bless cambodia.
Thank every body for support and encourage me. I will graduate on May 2011 for my Pharmacy AAS. My next plan, I want to take my undergrad course. I hope my dream will come true, so I can help poor Cambodian people when I go back to our country.
Kimhun
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