Christy Pittman, a fall 2021 Pellissippi State graduate, spoke at the college’s Commencement on Friday, Dec. 10, as 520 fall graduates and 266 summer graduates welcomed back some normalcy with its first indoor Commencement since fall 2019.
Pittman, who is graduating with her associate degree in interior design technology, returned to Pellissippi State more than 20 years after she first enrolled fresh out of high school. She was in her third semester when Covid-19 hit and classes switched to virtual formats.
“As students, each of us had to decide to either withdraw and wait for a return to ‘normal’ or to remain committed,” she said. “Covid robbed us of our normalcy, our jobs and our stability, and we grieved those losses. Exhausted and determined, we confronted our circumstances and overcame obstacles. This class did not quit.”
Upcoming
Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra will perform 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, in the Clayton Performing Arts Center, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Seats are first come, first served. The orchestra is an honors band of East Tennessee students under the direction of Knoxville Jazz Orchestra’s lead trombonist, Tom Lundberg. Info: www.pstcc.edu/arts.
Dom Flemons in Concert will be 11:50 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at ALEX AL 160 Clayton Performing Arts Center. Flemons, 39, is a Grammy award winner and two-time Emmy nominee.
Lesli Bales-Sherrod does marketing and writing for Pellissippi State Community College.