Hundreds of students and their families will pack John Paul Jones Arena Friday night as Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) holds its 39th commencement ceremony.
This year is particularly special because the school is celebrating a significant milestone - this is the largest graduating class in the school's history.
Of the 570 graduates, 47 percent will transfer to four year universities to complete their bachelor's degrees. The remaining graduates have earned associate degrees or certificates in other specialties.
On the job front, PVCC says their graduates are looking to a more promising future than many of their national 2012 graduating peers.
Anita Showers of PVCC said, "We know a number of them worked while they were attending PVCC. We know that about 60 percent of those have jobs. Some of them have gotten those jobs recently as a result of their studies here at the college in the credential that they are earning."
And to kick off their next step in life, the pomp and circumstance led off with a concert from the Charlottesville Municipal Band.
"It's a festive time, a triumphant time so many of these students have worked very, very hard this past academic year. We're really proud of them," said Showers.
University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan is the keynote speaker.
