Northwest-Shoals Community College (NW-SCC) graduates will hear from the President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Dr. Belle Wheelan, during the combined commencement ceremonies at Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum in Florence, for the Phil Campbell and Shoals campuses.

Dr. Belle Wheelan currently serves as President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and is the first African American and the first woman to serve in this capacity. Her career spans 40 years and includes the roles of faculty member, chief student services officer, campus provost, college president and Secretary of Education. In several of those roles she was the first African American and/or woman to serve in those capacities.

Ceremonies will be held Thursday, May 15, 2014, in the following order:

• Nurse Pinning Ceremony (ADN) will be at 4 p.m. at Woodmont Baptist Church in Florence.

• NW-SCC Commencement will be at 7 p.m. at the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum in Florence.

According to the NW-SCC Vice President’s Office, approximately 700 students have completed requirements for graduation during the 2013-2014 academic year. Approximately 175 students plan to participate in graduation ceremonies Thursday.