NETC Celebrates 200 Graduates at Spring 2026 Commencement

The cheers started before the last name was called. On the evening of Thursday, May 14, 2026, Cheraw High School Gymnasium came alive with applause, tears, and the kind of joy that only arrives after a long, hard road. Nearly 200 graduates of Northeastern Technical College crossed the stage to receive their degrees each one a testament to sacrifice, persistence, and the belief that education changes lives.

These were not just students completing a program. They were parents who studied after their children went to bed, working adults who rearranged their lives around clinical shifts and lab hours, and first-generation college students carrying the hopes of their families across that stage. At 7:00 PM, when the processional began, the room reflected everything it had taken to reach that moment.

A Room Full of People Who Never Gave Up

Interim President Mrs. Erin Fann opened the ceremony by speaking directly to the meaning of the moment. Her remarks honored the determination, resilience, and perseverance it took for students to reach graduation, and she closed the evening with encouragement and pride for the Class of 2026.

Dr. Rod Elliott, Senior Pastor of Cheraw First Baptist Church, offered the invocation and benediction, grounding the celebration in gratitude and hope. Around the graduates, families leaned forward, phones raised, fully present for a milestone they will never forget.

Mr. Herbert Gould, Chairman of the Area Commission, recognized special guests and fellow commissioners before introducing the evening's keynote speaker. He also joined in presenting graduates as they crossed the stage, one by one.

A Message Worth Carrying: The Honorable Chrissie C. Latimore

When The Honorable Chrissie C. Latimore, U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia, took the podium, she spoke with the perspective of someone who understands perseverance and service. Her address called on graduates to move forward with purpose, lead through service, and recognize the value of what they have already achieved.

She reminded the Class of 2026 that their achievements represents more than completion. It represents capability, commitment, and character. Her message resonated through the gymnasium as both affirmation and challenge, encouraging graduates to step confidently into their next chapter.

Two Dozen Pathways, One Shared Triumph

No two graduates followed the same path to this stage. Some completed nursing clinicals while balancing work and family responsibilities. Others trained in welding labs, mastering MIG and TIG techniques for careers in manufacturing and industry. Some earned Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degrees on transfer pathways to four-year universities. Others completed certificates that lead directly into the workforce in fields such as Emergency Medical Technology, Health Science, Massage Therapy, Criminal Justice, Workforce Science, Commercial Transportation, and Web Page Development.

Together, the Class of 2026 represents credentials across more than two dozen programs, including Associate in Applied Science degrees in Nursing, Business Administration, Early Care and Education, General Technology, and Machine Tool Technology. The range of programs reflects a college committed to meeting students where they are and preparing them for where they want to go.

Welcome to the Family

At the close of the ceremony, the NETC Alumni Association welcomed the newest graduates into a growing network that spans Chesterfield, Marlboro, and Dillon counties. These graduates now join alumni working as nurses, welders, business owners, educators, and public servants across the South Carolina Pee Dee region.

As the gymnasium emptied and families stepped into the May night, what remained was more than a ceremony. It was a moment of transformation. Nearly 200 students walked in. Nearly 200 graduates walked out.

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