Members of the Vance-Granville Community College Pharmacy Technology Class of 2012 who received their pins Dec. 13 included, front row, from left: Nicole Darnell, Ashlie Tharrington, Deanna Clark, Monica Boswell and Kimberly Senter; back row, from left: Victoria Bolton, Karen Nielsen, Kayla Ciarrocchi, Emily Yancey, Michelle Link and Adrien Francis. (VGCC Photo)
Vance-Granville Community College honored students who recently completed the Pharmacy Technology program with a pinning ceremony, held on Dec. 13 in the small auditorium on the college’s Main Campus.
The 11 new graduates of the diploma program included Emily Renee Yancey of Bullock; Michelle Monet Link of Creedmoor; Karen Ruth Nielsen of Franklinton; Victoria Elaine Bolton, Deanna Louise Clark and Nicole Null Darnell, all of Henderson; Kayla Marie Ciarrocchi and Ashlie Nicole Tharrington, both of Oxford; Monica Lassister Boswell of Stem; Adrien Richardson Francis of Warrenton; and Kimberly Nicole Senter of Wilton.
Carla May, the Pharmacy Technology program head, and instructor Brenda Harvey presided over the ceremony. In welcoming remarks, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, congratulated the students and thanked the friends and family members who had gathered to help celebrate their success. President Williams noted that this was VGCC’s very first pinning ceremony for the Pharmacy Technology program, and she was impressed that the students themselves were the driving force behind the event.
Nicole Darnell made remarks on behalf of her classmates. She thanked all of the group’s instructors “for being such great role models and inspirations.” Darnell said graduates would now go their separate ways, with many starting new jobs in the field and many planning to continue their education. Most importantly, she said they were looking forward to passing the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)’s national certification examinations. “Wherever we work, we will be great technicians and make a difference in the life of each patient and pharmacist that we come in contact with,” Darnell said.
May presented each graduate with a pin signifying her achievement, as instructor Natalie Orlando read biographical statements from each one. The students then recited the “Oath of a Pharmacy Technician” to conclude the ceremony.
VGCC’s one-year Pharmacy Technology program is designed primarily to prepare individuals to assist pharmacists with the technical duties involved with pharmacy operations, but graduates find employment not only in retail drug stores but also in hospitals, nursing homes, wholesale drug companies, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and pharmacy benefit management call centers. For more information, call Carla May at (252) 738-3482.