Community College System Official to Speak at VGCC Summer Graduation
Linda H. Weiner, Special Assistant to the President for Engagement and Economic Development at the North Carolina Community College System, will be the principal commencement speaker for Vance-Granville Community College’s summer graduation exercises on Thursday, Aug. 7. Stacey C. Smith of Raleigh will serve as the student speaker. Ceremonies are set to begin at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center on Main Campus.
A native of Johnston County, Linda H. Weiner (pictured above, left) joined the N.C. Community College System in May 2008 as Special Assistant to the President for Engagement and Economic Development. Previously, Weiner was Senior Director of Business Development in the Raleigh office of RSM McGladrey, the nation’s fifth-largest accounting firm. Her experience includes serving in the N.C. Department of Commerce as Assistant Secretary for Communications and External Affairs under Gov. Mike Easley and Director of Public Affairs during Gov. Jim Hunt’s last term. Weiner’s 20-year background in business, communications, lobbying, public relations and economic development encompasses both the public and private sector, including roles with North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Medical Center. In 2006, Weiner was named one of the Top 25 Women in Business by the Triangle Business Journal. Weiner has a B.A. in journalism and political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Student speaker Stacey C. Smith (pictured above, right) of Raleigh is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science in Culinary Technology . Smith grew up in Oxford and graduated from J.F. Webb High School. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Smith worked in the catering business in the Oxford area for many years before becoming one of the first students to enroll in Culinary Technology at VGCC. He previously earned a Business Administration degree at VGCC and plans to complete an Accounting degree at the college as well. At VGCC, Smith has served as vice president of the Student Government Association, president of the Culinary Club and as VGCC’s nominee for the Governor Robert W. Scott Leadership Award. He has twice received the Nannie A. Crowder Memorial Scholarship from the VGCC Endowment Fund and has been named to the Dean’s List.
Students serving as marshals for Summer Graduation will be Robin Richardson, Amy Ayscue, Shetara Brodie, Johnna Pegram, Patricia Renn and Blake Fletcher, all of Henderson, and Regina Lyons of Franklinton.
