Paul D. Camp Community College will hold its 44th annual commencement exercises on Friday, May 15, at the Regional Workforce Development Center, 100 N. College Drive, Franklin.

“I am thrilled to be part of recognizing the success of these students and honoring more than 250 students who will receive their degrees and certificates that evening,” said Dr. William Aiken, new interim president.

Col. Lula B. Holland, an advocate of education who retired from the U.S. Army Reserves, will be the keynote speaker. Holland returned to school after dropping out for several years and earned her high school diploma at 21 years old. She then continued her education, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree from Norfolk State University, a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), and a master’s degree in social work from Norfolk State University.

She served as chief nurse in the 18th Field Hospital and is also retired as assistant director of the City of Portsmouth Department of Social Services.

Her daughter, Suffolk City Attorney Helivi Holland, established an annual scholarship in her mother’s honor to help a non-traditional student seeking an associate degree at Paul D. Camp Community College.

In addition, the ceremony will feature graduate speaker Courtney Wright of Suffolk. A 2013 graduate of Lakeland High School, she is a member of the College’s Omega Zeta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She serves as a Presidential Student Ambassador and is an active member of the Literary Club.

The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 569-6790.