NCCU Leader addresses VGCC Graduates
The chancellor of North Carolina Central University issued a call for excellence and service to graduates as the featured speaker at Vance-Granville Community College’s 41st commencement exercises on May 14. Over 450 graduates received diplomas and degrees in a variety of curriculum programs at the ceremony.
Looking out from the gazebo by the lake on the college’s main campus, NCCU Chancellor Dr. Charlie Nelms described the crowd of graduates, along with their family and friends, as “a phenomenal scene…In 42 years in education, I’ve never witnessed anything quite like this.” The chancellor told the graduating students that during the past decade, NCCU had established close working relationships with VGCC and other two-year colleges in North Carolina. He said that the Durham-based university had set aside $10,000 in scholarships for Vance-Granville students transferring to complete a baccalaureate degree. “I challenge you to continue your educational journey so that you might return to VGCC one day as a faculty member, advisor, dean, or president of the college,” Nelms said. He also advised members of the class of 2010 to “commit yourselves to excellence in everything you do” in order to compete on a global level, to “embrace change,” and to “become the change you wish to see in the world.” Nelms acknowledged that students are graduating “at one of the most challenging economic periods in the history of our country,” but he urged them to discover community needs and become entrepreneurs to fulfill those needs.
Rockele R. Bryant of Henderson, a Criminal Justice major who has served both as Student Government Association president and as president of the college’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, spoke on behalf of her classmates. Echoing Nelms, Bryant said to her fellow graduates, “We owe it to ourselves to continue the VGCC tradition of excellence and achievement and to go further.” Bryant herself is planning to transfer to NCCU in the fall. “The sky is the limit,” she said. “Today, we celebrate our accomplishments and look forward to an even brighter future.”
In his remarks, VGCC President Randy Parker said that especially in “troubled economic times,” the community college “is the gateway to future economic prosperity” for students and the region. He urged graduates to remember their fellow student Raymond Dunn, who died in February after falling ill at a VGCC basketball game, by emulating his drive and commitment. “Raymond strove for excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community,” Parker said. After Vice President of Instruction Dr. Angela Ballentine presented candidates for graduation, VGCC Board of Trustees chairman Donald C. Seifert, Sr. assisted President Parker in presenting 477 degrees and diplomas. Students, including those predicted to graduate in August, were awarded 332 Associate in Applied Science degrees, 39 Associate in Arts degrees, seven Associate in Science degrees and 99 technical and vocational diplomas. Bryant then led the new graduates in ceremonially turning their tassels. Music for the ceremony was provided by the Vance-Granville Community Band.
Above: Dr. Charlie Nelms (left), the chancellor of North Carolina Central University, delivers the commencement address at Vance-Granville Community College on May 14, as (seated from left) student speaker Rockele Bryant of Henderson and VGCC President Randy Parker listen. (VGCC Photo)
