North Florida College
Contributor
North Florida College (NFC) celebrated a historic Spring 2026 Commencement on Thursday, May 7, honoring graduates across three commencement ceremonies held at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in the Van H. Priest Auditorium.
The milestone event marked one of the largest commencements in College history, with the growing number of graduates requiring three separate ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of NFC students and their families. From bachelor's degrees to workforce certificates, graduates crossed the stage surrounded by proud loved ones, faculty, staff and community supporters as the College celebrated academic success, perseverance and new beginnings.
The ceremonies opened with remarks from NFC President Dr. Jennifer Page, who reflected on the determination and resilience of the Class of 2026. Reverend Delvin Boatman, NFC advisor, delivered both the invocation and benediction for the ceremonies.
"This year's commencement was a celebration of growth, momentum and student success," said Dr. Page. "To hold three ceremonies in one day speaks to the incredible accomplishments of our students and the continued impact North Florida College is making across our region. These graduates represent the future of healthcare, business, public safety, skilled trades, education and countless other industries that strengthen our communities."
Serving as commencement speaker was Ed Poppell, University of Florida Vice President Emeritus and recipient of NFC's 2026 Friend of the College Award. Poppell has been recognized for his longstanding support of NFC's allied health and nursing programs and his commitment to strengthening healthcare education in rural North Florida.
During his commencement address, Poppell encouraged graduates to continue moving forward with perseverance and purpose, reminding students that "success is not a destination" and that the communities they serve will be stronger because of the education and compassion they carry forward from North Florida College.
Throughout the day, NFC conferred degrees and certificates in a wide range of academic and workforce programs, including Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, Welding Technology, Commercial Vehicle Driving, HVAC/R, Emergency Medical Technician and Florida Correctional Officer training.
NFC celebrated 271 graduates and awarded 279 degrees and certificates during the Spring and Summer 2026 commencement season. The graduating class included 167 first-generation college graduates, reflecting the College's continued commitment to expanding educational opportunity across its six-county service district.
The ceremonies also marked a meaningful moment in NFC tradition as mathematics instructor Phillip Taylor carried the College's ceremonial academic mace for the first time following the retirement of longtime mathematics instructor Danny Harris. The ceremonial mace symbolizes the authority, integrity and scholarly tradition of North Florida College and leads each commencement procession.
Faculty marshals, student marshals and members of the NFC District Board of Trustees participated in the day's ceremonies, while graduates wearing honor cords, military cords and first-generation medallions reflected the many stories of dedication and achievement represented within the Class of 2026.
As tassels turned and applause filled the auditorium throughout the day, the celebrations reflected not only the success of NFC students, but also the growing momentum of the College itself.
North Florida College congratulates the Spring and Summer 2026 graduates and looks forward to the impact these Sentinels will continue to make across North Florida and beyond.
For more information about North Florida College programs and opportunities, visit NFC.edu.
Madison NFC Graduates:
Agee, Jack O'Brian
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Magna Cum Laude
Pinetta
FL
Akins, Caitlyn Camya
AS-Registered Nursing
Associate degree
Madison
FL
Madison
Blesy, Braxton Cole
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Magna Cum Laude
Lee
Brewer, Grayson Lane
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Lee
Chancy, Riley Teagen
Welding Technology
Certificate
Honors
Madison
Cherry, Angel Gail
Business Management
Certificate
Madison
Collazo, Benjamin Lucas
Business Operations
Certificate
Highest Honors
Madison
Cruz-Velasquez, Mishel Naidelin
Nursing Assistant
Certificate
High Honors
Madison
Dember, Criston Tyler
Industrial Machinery Maint II
Certificate
Highest Honors
Madison
Edwards-Blackshear, Telvasha Deshawn
AS-Registered Nursing
Associate degree
Madison
Escobar, Olivia Marie
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Magna Cum Laude
Pinetta
Florence, Moneesha Yanshay
Human Services Generalist
Certificate
Madison
Fontenot, Veronica
AS-Business Administration
Associate degree
Magna Cum Laude
Madison
Fontenot, Veronica
Business Operations
Certificate
Highest Honors
Madison
Fontenot, Veronica
Human Resources Administrator
Certificate
Highest Honors
Madison
Fontenot, Veronica
Business Management
Certificate
Highest Honors
Madison
Fudge, Jade Michel
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Madison
Gonzales, Mark Andrew
Commercial Vehicle Driving
Certificate
Highest Honors
Lee
Good, Mason Blaine
AS-Registered Nursing
Associate degree
Greenville
Hayes, Taylor Janay
Nursing Assistant
Certificate
Greenville
Hearn, Ashley
AS-Registered Nursing
Associate degree
Greenville
Hearn, Wesley Tyler
Welding Technology
Certificate
Honors
Greenville
Johnson, Aniyah Lashay
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Magna Cum Laude
Greenville
Johnson, Jaylin Takeldrick
Welding Technology
Certificate
Honors
Lee
Jones, Addison Kate
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Madison
Knight, Trevon Michael
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Magna Cum Laude
Madison
Lawson, William Thaddeus
Emergency Medical Technician
Certificate
High Honors
Madison
Lee, Ki'Nyjae Venterrious
Welding Technology
Certificate
Madison
Lewis, Kadyn Thomas
Welding Technology
Certificate
Madison
Livingston, Zalailah Sontee
Preschool Specialization
Certificate
Madison
Mask, Leah Renee
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Greenville
McNutt, Dalton James
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Madison
McNutt, Savannah Leigh
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Magna Cum Laude
Madison
Meyer, Allie Elizabeth
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Madison
Miller, Gavin Robert
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Cum Laude
Madison
Perez-Tavera, Judith Abigail
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Madison
Phillips, Emmie Noel
Accounting Tech Operations
Certificate
Lee
Phillips, Emmie Noel
Business Management
Certificate
Lee
Phillips, Georgia Alexis
Business Operations
Certificate
Lee
Phillips, Georgia Alexis
Human Resources Administrator
Certificate
Lee
Phillips, Georgia Alexis
Business Management
Certificate
Lee
Powell, Tiarhonda Lushey
Human Services Generalist
Certificate
Greenville
Prince, Jatavious Davon
Commercial Vehicle Driving
Certificate
Greenville
Pullens, Beyonce Derricia
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Madison
Ragans, Jared Joshua
Commercial Class "B" Driving
Certificate
Highest Honors
Madison
Raines, Caden Robert
Welding Technology
Certificate
Cum Laude
Greenville
Raines, Thurston Michael
Welding Technology
Certificate
High Honors
Greenville
Raulerson, Autumn Sunshine
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Magna Cum Laude
Madison
Redding, Alicia Marie
Human Services Generalist
Certificate
High Honors
Madison
Rosado, Skyler Lynn
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Pinetta
Smith, Heather Marie
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Madison
Smith, Heather Marie
Human Services Generalist
Certificate
Highest Honors
Madison
Stout, Hayden Ray
Welding Technology
Certificate
Highest Honors
Madison
Surles, Justin Robert
Welding Technology
Certificate
High Honors
Greenville
Taylor, Addison Grace
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Madison
Vicente-Pedro, Julia
Business Operations
Certificate
Lee
Vicente-Pedro, Julia
Human Resources Administrator
Certificate
Lee
Vicente-Pedro, Julia
Business Management
Certificate
Lee
Villalba, Giovanni Adrian
AS-Registered Nursing
Associate degree
Madison
Waldo, Hailey Paige
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Madison
Williamson, Tessa Lynn
Associate in Arts
Associate degree
Summa Cum Laude
Madison