Activities begin Thursday when Howard College nursing students receive their pins during a ceremony scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Hall Center for the Arts studio theater.

Later that evening, SWCID will hold its annual awards convocation to honor its best and brightest at ceremonies scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Activity Center.

The top award to be presented Thursday is the President's Award, annually given to the student who best combines scholarship and leadership during the school year, officials said. Other awards to be presented include the Sherrie Baird Scholarship, Alice Haynes Rotary DLT Scholarship, American Legion and Chamber of Commerce awards and scholarships named in honor of Dr. P.W. Malone and Phillip Waldrup.

In addition, outstanding students in various subject areas will be recognized during the convocation.

Commencement ceremonies kick into high gear Friday.

SWCID students will be the first to walk the stage when they receive their diplomas at ceremonies scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Activity Center.

SWCID officials said 28 students are scheduled to receive diplomas during the ceremonies, which will be highlighted by a commencement address by new SWCID Provost Mark Myers.

That afternoon, Howard College Dental Hygiene students will receive their pins at 4 p.m. in the Hall Center auditorium.

Ceremonies will conclude with Howard College commencement exercises, scheduled for 7 p.m. in Garrett Coliseum. More than 180 students are expected to receive diplomas during the event, officials said.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it