State Legislator to Speak at 40th VGCC Graduation
N.C. Representative Michael H. Wray will be the principal commencement speaker for Vance-Granville Community College’s 40th graduation exercises on Friday, May 15. Michael L. Webb of Hillsborough, president of the VGCC chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, will serve as the student speaker.
Almost 400 students are scheduled to receive their degrees and diplomas during ceremonies beginning at 6 p.m. at the gazebo by the lake on the college’s main campus. The program will include special recognitions celebrating VGCC history and alumni. The college was established as Vance County Technical Institute in 1969 and held its first commencement in 1970.
Rep. Wray (pictured above, left) is a lifelong resident of Northampton County. After attending Barton College, Wray became a successful businessman and developer. He served for four years as a town commissioner in Gaston and has served in the North Carolina House of Representatives since 2005. Wray’s district includes all of Northampton and Warren counties, as well as part of Vance County. He currently serves on several House committees, including Agriculture, Appropriations, Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Transportation, Wildlife Resources, and Insurance, of which he is the Chairman. Wray has also served on the North Carolina Economic Development Board and the North Carolina Board of CPA Examiners. Wray is a member of the Rotary Club, the Lions Club, the National Wildlife Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited. He and his wife, Kay Woodard Wray, have twin sons. They are members of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Jackson, where he has served as chair of the trustees and as finance chair.
Michael L. Webb (pictured above, right) is graduating with an Associate in Arts . Originally from Seattle, Webb spent 14 years serving in the United States Navy as a firefighter and chemical/biological defense specialist. He graduated from the Senior Enlisted Damage Control School and instructor training while in the Navy. Webb was honorably discharged as a Damage Controlman, First Class, and relocated to North Carolina. He enrolled in the VGCC College Transfer program in January 2007 with the intention of pursuing a four-year degree. In August, he plans to continue his education at North Carolina Central University, where he will major in English Literature. In addition to serving as PTK president, Webb has been a member of the VGCC Student Government Association. He has also tutored students in anatomy/physiology and biology.
Students serving as graduation marshals will be Patricia Edwards of Franklin County; Johnna Pegram, Patricia Renn, Geraldine Collins, Jenny Evans, Jernetta Lyons and Leslie Craft, all of Henderson; and Dana Deeds of Oxford.
