Congressman addresses VGCC Graduates
As the featured speaker at Vance-Granville Community College’s 45th commencement exercises on May 16, U.S. Representative G.K. Butterfield applauded the new graduates and imparted some words of wisdom. Butterfield addressed members of a graduating class that numbered approximately 430 before they received their diplomas and degrees , in a ceremony that was held at the gazebo by the lake on the college’s Main Campus.
In his remarks, Butterfield, who represents North Carolina’s first congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, spoke on the subject of “being faithful.” He first urged graduates to be faithful to VGCC. “The North Carolina Community College System is one of the best systems in the country,” the congressman said. “You should understand the role that the state government has played in providing this opportunity, and you should advocate for the continuation of a strong community college system. “I also want you to be faithful to your family,” he went on. “You would not be sitting in those seats if not for your family and their sacrifices….I want you to be faithful to humanity. Half of the world lives on less than two dollars per day. In our beloved country, 45 million live in poverty….Be faithful to other people around the world and in your community who need your attention.” Finally, he said, “be faithful to yourself. Education without character is a very dangerous combination.” His prescription for good character included being honest and trustworthy, while demonstrating integrity, reliability and responsibility.
Theresa Chiplis of Norlina, who graduated with degrees in Accounting and Business Administration , spoke on behalf of her classmates. Recalling her feelings when she enrolled, she said, “I figured I would attend classes, and that’s it. I didn’t know then that I would graduate with two degrees, and a couple classes shy of my Global Logistics degree.” Chiplis plans to complete her Global Logistics degree in the fall semester and take other classes to transfer to a four-year university. “I could not have predicted that I would become an ambassador, president of the Student Government Association, Phi Theta Kappa president, representative of the Student Leadership Development Program and past president of Phi Beta Lambda,” Chiplis said. “I did not know of all the possibilities for involvement that Vance-Granville had, and how they would enhance my life.”
Chiplis called upon her fellow graduates to “to remember that this is not the top of the mountain; this is just a vantage point along the route….It’s time to choose your path. It’s time to live up to the goals we set, and time to lay down new ones. We are not finished learning.” She added that members of the Class of 2014 were ready to “be exceptional representatives of what an education at Vance-Granville can do for us and for others. We are ready to go out into the world to educate, inspire and support others.” Chiplis led her classmates in declaring “We are Vanguards!”
During her remarks, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC, said that graduation is the key moment in the life of the college, not only for students, but also for the faculty, staff and trustees. “On days like this, the campus seems to gleam a little brighter, the Community Band’s melodies seem to be a little sweeter, because this is the moment for which we all work,” Dr. Williams said. “It is what binds us to this institution. We are here to graduate students, and may we never forget that.”
After Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs Dr. Angela Ballentine presented the candidates for graduation, VGCC Board of Trustees chair Deborah Brown assisted President Williams in presenting degrees and diplomas. Members of this year’s class, including those predicted to graduate at the end of the summer term, were awarded 306 Associate in Applied Science degrees, 70 Associate in Arts degrees, 13 Associate in Science degrees and 53 technical and vocational diplomas. Chiplis led the new graduates in ceremonially turning their tassels as the ceremony concluded.
Music was provided by the Vance-Granville Community Band. Bearing the ceremonial mace for commencement was Culinary Arts program head/instructor Ross Ragonese, the college’s 2013-2014 Faculty Member of the Year.
Above: Congressman G.K. Butterfield (at podium) delivers the commencement address at Vance-Granville Community College on May 16. Seated on the platform are, from left, VGCC Board of Trustees chair Deborah Brown, student speaker Theresa Chiplis and President Stelfanie Williams. (VGCC Photo)
See also: State Legislator helps celebrate VGCC Adult Basic Skills graduates
