FTCC Senior VP Dr. Murtis Worth shakes hands with a graduate during the 64th Annual Commencement Exercises on May 15, 2026.
Fayetteville Technical Community College celebrated the accomplishments of nearly 3,000 graduates Friday, welcoming family, friends and members of the community to the Crown Coliseum to cheer on the Class of 2026.
The celebration was a day-long affair, with two ceremonies needed to honor 2,940 graduates.
The morning ceremony recognized graduates from the Allied Health Technologies, Funeral Services, Nursing, Continuing Education, Business and Computer Information Technologies programs. Graduates from programs in Arts & Humanities, Math & Sciences, Public Service and Engineering & Applied Technology crossed the stage in the afternoon.
U.S. Army Col. John Wilcox, the former Fort Bragg Garrison Commander, delivered the keynote address, encouraging the graduates to eschew comfort in favor of taking risks as they move forward.
“The flexibility that you have right now is a gift. Use it well,” Wilcox said. “Don’t take the easy path. The things worth building, the communities, the lives worth remembering — they require you to stay in the room when it gets hard, to extend grace even when you’re not sure it’s merited.”
Wilcox issued a challenge to the graduates to continue striving for growth.
“You are never, ever done becoming,” he said “Serve the people around you, especially when it costs you something. Take the big swings. That opportunity is out there. It will not walk through your door and introduce itself. You have to find it and recognize it, even when it looks nothing like you expect it to. You have to have the courage to reach for it.”
FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells at the 64th Annual Commencement Exercises on May 15, 2026.
FTCC President Dr. Mark Sorrells presided over the ceremonies, conferring 4,377 degrees, diplomas and certificates. Among those earning associate degrees, 977 graduated with Honors, a designation awarded in recognition of a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. An additional 227 students earned the distinction of Highest Honors for finishing with a 4.0.
Before he welcomed Wilcox to the stage, Sorrells offered his own words of encouragement. He tied the commencement to the celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, comparing the strengths of the day’s graduates to the virtues needed to realize the ideals of freedom and continuous improvement.
“As we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, we are reminded that our nation’s strength has always depended on individuals willing to lead with integrity, courage and conviction,” Sorrells said. “Your generation inherits not only unprecedented opportunities, but also profound responsibilities.
“The challenges ahead — technological, economic, civic and global — require leaders who are principled, informed and unafraid to stand firm in their values and convictions. Your character will be as essential as your skills in protecting the freedoms that define us and ensuring that America continues to thrive as a beacon of possibility.”
In addition to the calling of the graduates’ names, FTCC also recognized the individual achievement of Juan “Cash” Overcash, who received the McLean’s President Award from the FTCC Foundation. Overcash, a Culinary Arts graduate, was selected for the award by a committee of faculty and staff members.
Sorrells capped off his remarks with a reminder to the graduates that a commitment to lifelong learning and exemplary character are the hallmarks of true and enduring success.
“You have faced challenges and adapted to change, proving that persistence and character are powerful forces, whether you are stepping into the workforce or continuing your education, you’ve already demonstrated the resilience and integrity that define true leadership,” Sorrells said. “Our community, our state, and our nation need you, need leaders who are willing to contribute, to listen, to stand calm in their values, and to help shape a future worthy of the freedoms we cherish.”
