Noted alumnus to speak at VGCC Graduation
Vance-Granville Community College will welcome back an alumnus, Dr. Maurice Godwin, to serve as the principal commencement speaker for graduation exercises on Friday, May 15. He is the first graduate of the college to address students receiving their curriculum degrees and diplomas, just as he received his Criminal Justice Technology degree 30 years ago.
Theresa Chiplis of Norlina, president of the VGCC Student Government Association, will be the student speaker. Approximately 540 students are scheduled to be honored during ceremonies beginning at 6 p.m. at the gazebo by the lake on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. For those unable to attend the event in person, VGCC will broadcast a live video feed from the ceremony online here .
Godwin (pictured above, left) is a Fayetteville-based criminal investigative and forensic science consultant. His two-year degree from VGCC became the foundation for a unique career as a nationally-known psychologist, criminal profiler, educator and author. In 1985, Godwin graduated from VGCC and became a police officer with the Oxford Police Department. He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology with a concentration in criminal investigative psychology from the University of Liverpool in England. In June, Godwin will graduate from the University of Florida with a master’s degree in Forensic Science.
As president of Godwin Trial & Forensic Consultancy, Inc., he consults on crime scene assessment, developing psychological and geographical profiles. He is also an adjunct professor at Campbell University and Tiffin University. The author of several books and journal articles, Godwin has appeared on numerous national TV news programs and made presentations at colleges and conferences around the world.
Theresa Chiplis (pictured above, right) is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Global Logistics Technology , her third degree from the college. In 2014, she completed degrees in Accounting and Business Administration. While enrolled at VGCC, Chiplis has been an active student leader. She has served as a student ambassador for three years (including service as lead ambassador), and as the president of VGCC’s chapter of the Phi Beta Lambda business student organization in 2012-2013. During both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 years, Chiplis was president of the VGCC Student Government Association, student member of the Board of Trustees, and president of VGCC’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She is a 2014 graduate of the North Carolina Community College Student Leadership Development Program. Chiplis has been named to the Dean’s List and to the President’s List, and has been awarded endowed scholarships by VGCC.
Students serving as graduation marshals will be Sarah Gabriel of Franklinton; Zsaquiela Hawkins and Andrea Hayes, both of Henderson; H’Kera Ktul and Emily Rogers, both of Louisburg; Adam Rooker of Norlina; and Lydia Hendrick of Oxford.
Above: Graduation marshals include, on top row, from left, H’Kera Ktul and Lydia Hendrick; on middle row, from left, Adam Rooker, Sarah Gabriel and and Andrea Hayes; on bottom row, from left, Zsaquiela Hawkins and Emily Rogers.
