The following students have applied for May graduation. Diplomas will be granted after credentials are completed and degree requirements are met. Students who fulfill degree requirements may participate in the May 8 commencement ceremony.

Aaron Abke, Laura Ables, Ellah Abuta, Autumn Ackerman, Joseph Addo, Ademayowa Adeoba, Chris Adkins, Edward Aguirre, Katy Alcorn, Aaron Alfonso, Sarah Ali, Brandy Allen, Kenneth Allen, Alia Alsaif, Gabriela Alvarado, Veronica Alvarado, Anna Alvey, Uchechi Am-aeze, Devin Anderson, Elizabeth Anderson, Melinda Anderson, Crystal Andrews, Kyle Andrews, Clara Arellano, Erica Armstrong, Paula Armstrong-Fugett, Sandy Arnold, Ekaette Atakpo, Taylor Atherton, Will Atouchwi, Katie Axtell, Dennis Ayitiah, Tia Bailey, Daniel Baker.

More than 130 students received awards at the 39th Annual Student Awards Ceremony held April 24 in the Visual and Performing Arts Center.

Certificates of appreciation and achievement, along with volunteer and honor awards, were presented by various professors and sponsors.

Students who were awarded with certificates of appreciation and achievement, along with the president’s award for excellence were nominated by faculty for academic achievement and being an outstanding student.

Biology Professor Nathaniel Abraham said throughout the semester, about 50 percent of his BIO 2255 students have dropped the class, which is the normal rate.

Abraham said the students who remain are dedicated.

“They spend a lot of time after class,” he said.

“The students who really want to do well in the class will keep asking questions.”

On graduation night, honors students walk across the stage wearing a gold stole over their black robes. Two students who have earned the right to wear those stoles say the extra effort is worth it.

Both Lisa Shaw, a pre-law sophomore at OCCC, and Sarah Landon, a liberal arts and Spanish major who graduated OCCC in the spring of 2014, agree the honors program has challenged them to find that extra drive within themselves.

They said the honors pro­gram not only gives students an opportunity to expand their knowledge in the classroom but also provides a plethora of benefits beyond graduation that otherwise would not be available to them.

OCCC’s Honors Program gives students the opportunity to grow academically, said Honors Program Coordinator and English Professor Nina Smith.

“In an (honors) class, you would do an extra project that gives you a deeper understand­ing of that course material,” Smith said.

According to the webpage, OCCC’s honors program of­fers the following:

• One-on-one academic interaction with instructors.

• Recognized academic distinction.

• Enhanced scholarship op­portunities.

• Honors stoles worn at com­mencement.

• Earned Hs on a transcript.

• “With Honors” printed on transcript and diploma.

• Tuition Waiver opportuni­ties for qualified applicants.

It’s that time of the year again — time to enroll for summer and fall classes.

Registrar Alan Stringfel­low said those who want to continue their education at OCCC should be aware that it’s a good idea to enroll right away.

By enrolling early, he said, students can speak with academic advisers and faculty advisers who have the knowledge students need to get a degree.

“I would stress how important it is to get in early, start enrollment as soon as possible.”

New students will need to bring all official high school and college transcripts to the admis­sions office to get started, Stringfellow said.