Even after receiving their diplomas these Surry Community College graduates remained intent on taking in the emotions of their classmates on stage at Peace Haven Baptist Church Thursday night. SCC held its commencement ceremony with a total of 203 students participating.
David Broyles | The News
Surry Community College graduate Charity Fulk customized her mortarboard to reflect her Criminal Justice and Latent Evidence concentration of study. Commencement was held at Peace Haven Baptist Church in Yadkinville Thursday with SCC President Dr. David Shockley as the featured speaker.
David Broyles | The News
Surry Community College graduate Elizabeth Ragland helps classmate Amanda Pugh with her hat. Featured speaker SCC President Dr. David Shockley told graduates the college would always be there for them and for them not to forget they are a part of the institution’s soul.
Where: Peace Haven Baptist Church, Yadkinville.
When: Thursday night at 7 p.m.
Number of graduates: 355 with 203 participating in the SCC Commencement Ceremony.
Speaker: Surry Community College President Dr. David Shockley.
What the speaker said: “I will keep my comments direct, short and very serious. This year the North Carolina Community System is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary. A total of 58 colleges make up the third largest system in our nation. We are studied nationally and very few systems have the diversity we have. On Jan. 9, 2014 SCC will celebrate its 50th and it is critical we honor our predecessors by looking at our past as we strive forward.”
Shockley said a strength community colleges have is they can adapt and improvise. He said he believes organizations have a personality and that each student has left an impact on the college. He told the graduates to never forget they are a part of the school’s soul. He also told graduates economic times are rough and they should be prepared to face starting at the bottom in some cases.
“It’s going to be tough out there but not impossible,” continued Shockley. “Be a lifelong learner. you must be prepared to compete hard. Win with dignity and grace and do not lose your soul. SCC will be there for you. Our goal is to help each of you reach your farthest star.”
What graduates predicted they would do : Alicia Varona and Jessica Lowe said they were going to have to wait until declared graduates and only then they would know how they would react but they felt they would probably set their tassel to the other side and “keep on going.” Amanda Clayton and Crystal Pence said they had no pranks planned and that they were going to behave because they may have to be legal help for their classmates who didn’t. Criminal Justice and Latent Evidence concentration students Savannah Holt and Charity Fulk decorated their hats with crime scene tape, evidence tags, empty cartridges and swabs. Holt said it hadn’t been long before the ceremony since she and classmates had to bury a cow’s carcass which had been decomposing for three months.
Overheard or seen: Children being told to “sit back and get ready to watch what happens.” Phrases such as “Ohh…my baby. Go Pooh Bear. Atta Boy Travis go for it, Whooo… go mom.” Lots of camera flashes. Small digital cameras on large tripods. Commencement programs used as fans and the sounds of brass instruments and an organ to start the ceremony followed by applause for the musicians. Chris Bowers received a loud whoop whoop from the audience. Nicholas Flippen was honored with a cowboy style wahoo yell and Amanda Hicks got a big round of applause. Jessica Kite held her hand out to still the applause from her family.
Recognitions: James Cockerham received the North Carolina Community College System Academic Excellence Award. One student from the system’s colleges across the state is recognized with this award each spring. Charlene Lytton was nominated for the Dallas Herring Achievement Award. Board of Trustees Member Bonnie Stuart was recognized for her 33 years of service.
Notables in attendance: Board of Commissioners member R.F. “Buck” Golding. Board of Trustees members including Dr. Ann Vaughn, Van Tucker, Bonnie Stuart, Dr. Earl Sheppard, and Audrey Mahan, Bob Comer
Reach David Broyles at dbroyles@civitasmedia.com or 719-1952.
Post a Comment
