Lt. Gov. Talks of Economy, Love, Learning With VGCC Graduates

The economy in the 21st century has changed, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue told the spring graduating class at Vance-Granville Community College May 13, and she urged them to keep learning to succeed in it.

“The job market of today and tomorrow will be based on brains, not brawn, minds, not muscle,” the state’s second highest elected official said to the class of 390 and hundreds of family members and friends gathered at the commencement exercises by the college’s campus lake.

America’s war on terrorism, North Carolina’s economic problems, an increasingly diverse population and the local impact of international actions all were mentioned as factors that will affect the graduates’ futures. “It requires a new level of understanding of our economic and social institutions,” she said, adding that we must adjust the way we do business, the way we educate our workforce and how we think of the world around us in order to be competitive in the world market.

Perdue, a member of the State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges, spoke of how successful institutions like Vance-Granville Community College are preparing students to meet the changing world and its challenges. She urged the graduates to keep studying, to keep learning.

Although she holds a Ph.D., Perdue told the graduates that she is back in school studying Spanish, “So that I can talk to the people of North Carolina.”

Perdue also emphasized the importance of love, not only loving the people around them, but of finding something to do that they love. “As you think back on your life later and what truly matters to you as a person, it won’t be the degrees, the money you’ve made, your golf handicap or who won the Coca Cola 600,” she said. “You will look back at what you did to make life better, the people you touch, the love you experience, and the joy of a life well lived.”

Lt. Gov. Perdue also picked out several graduates for special recognition. She mentioned Flora Watkins Cates, 60, of Oxford, the oldest member of the VGCC graduating class, who received here associate’s degree in Human Services Technology. She also spoke of mother and daughter graduates, Brenda and Teleza Cobbins of the Williamsboro community of Vance County. Brenda completed the Teacher Associate program, and Teleza the College Transfer program.

While applauding each of these for their unique successes, Perdue said, “And each and every one of you have your own story, and tonight, each of you graduates is the star of your own show and deserve hugs, kisses, applause.

“You tonight, right here in Henderson, are my American Idols,” the lieutenant governor said.

Vance-Granville Community College presented 187 degrees and diplomas in curriculum programs and 173 adult high school diplomas and General Equivalency Diplomas. It was pointed out during the commencement that more than 4,800 persons were enrolled in the college’s 35 curriculum programs in the past year. Also, about 16,000 different people took at least one class at Vance-Granville, which means the college serves about one of every seven people in its service area of Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties, President Robert A. Miller said.

 

 

VGCC Spring 2003 Graduates

HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA

 

Shelley Abdel-Halim	Antwanne Arnterio Hooper	Jessica Lynne Rodwell
Travis Banks	Kimberly Nicole Jackson	Juanita Stevenson
John Thomas Carter	Nathaniel Ashley Kyle	Jennifer Lynne Stone
Donna Denise Cheek	Lisa Marie Lynch	David Harold Teeters
Falin Nychole Cheek	Victoria Manson	Phillip Donamechee Terry
Kenney Danielle Cogdill	Sheila Richardson Mason	Robert Martin Terry
Adam Jermaine Douglas	Angelica Maria McCoy	Tina Marie Tice
Wykenna Shonté Dumas	Ruthie Lee McKnight	Jeramie Everett Turner
Catrina Michelle Graham	Karmon Cole Parker	Victoria Veronica Valdez
Cynthia Burt Hawkins	Tanita Montá Pegese	Morris Walker, Jr.
Judith Ann Hecht	Sherrita Nicole Pope	Alicia Joan White
Wayne Leon Hightower	Jamika Ann Rice	Otha Wimbush, Jr.
Brittany Margaret Hobgood	Taneka Diane Richardson	Ginger Ann Woodell
Edward Matthew Holland	Cherita Reneé Roach	Shaquilla Lashanda Yarborough
Beanita Gail Holman-Smith		Lamar Antwan-Trevese Young

 

 

ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

 

 

Matthew Ryan Abbott	Krystle Dominique Green	Anthony Coneilius Ragland
Salah A. Ashaif	Jessica Lynn Hackworth	Eugene Joseph Russell
Kevin Michael Bagbey	Mark Kasan Harrison	Brandon Christopher Ryall
Sharlo Shalice Bailey	Shannon Marie Hight	Stephanie Joanna Salinas
Lekeshia Lashone Bethea	Lashonda Paulette Howzer	Megan Leigh Savage
Bianca Chanté Boyd	Mari Breanna James	Ashley Earnesia Smith
Ashleigh Brooke Branham	Reggie Lee Lang	Jacquelyn Antonette Smith
Tyrone Lamont Bullock	Candra Lynn Lutz	William Gary Stamey
Tracy Bernice Carpenter	Shekera Nyota McCleave	Charles Lemont Tabron
Olivia Marie Chetney	Bernadette Elaine Mebane	Derrick Quentin Thorpe
Kimberly Ann Cochran	Diane Nichole Messer	Jamie Lynn Torzok
Towanda Lee Crosson	Brendan Ernst Meyer	Laura Ashley Tucker
Jeffrey Anthony Currence	Rebecca Diane Meyer	Thomas Lance Watkins
Catrina Lee Czernecki	Benton Andrew Miller	Sonnet Aubry Welch
Kimberly Hope Deel	Allison Knott Milligan	Francesca Nicole Wells
Thomas Lee Dickens III	Tanisha Monique Montgomery	Tyler Steve Wiggins
Jennifer Ann Dixon	Joseph Nalevaiko III	LaShaunda Danielle Wilkerson
Niesha Sharron Durham	Kathy Ranes Newcomb	Marissa Delia Wilkes
Alexis Roberto Fletcher	Kelly Renee Norwood	Citorrie LeShun Wilkins
Shyla Rose Foss	Mikki Shaun Parrish	Takeeia Nataya Williams
Robert Polard Franklin	Cherlonda Yvette Pearson	Justin Robert Woodin
	Laryn Cherí Pratt

 

 

 

VOCATIONAL OR TECHNICAL DIPLOMA

AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY

Timothy Paige Henley
Andrew Edward Hielema
Dwight Johnson
James Irving Joyce, Jr.
Trevor Kimbler
Cedric Antwyon McAuley
Randall Keith Midkiff
Antonio Perry
Kirk Richardson
Larry W. Self

AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

Romaro Lashawnshinta Covington
James Elias Henry
Cory Marcel Lewis
Christopher William Pennell

CARPENTRY

Michael Thomas Ingrassia
Kerry Allan Rutherford

COSMETOLOGY

Stacy Renae Freshour
Carol Lorraine Hamlett
Angela Spry Lewis
Charlene Antoinette Perry
William Devon Rhone
David Lamont Richardson
Linda Gayle Thomas

EARLY CHILDHOOD/TEACHER ASSISTANT

Lou D. Baskerville
Brenda C. Cobbins
Barbara Ann Cozart

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY

Michael Anson Davis

INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY

Tewonn Michael Brown
Steven Scot Sharber

 

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE

ACCOUNTING Jennifer Long Baird Selena Burwell Lisa Wynette Collier Sandra Cooper Freddie Shannon Marie Robinson Debra Antoinette Jones Talley Marcus Edward Tunstall Glynnis Ruschelle Wilson ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING Michelle Lee Averette Candace Bryant Brown Tracie Lynn Gerber Carpunky Karen Hastings Clayton Laura Elizabeth Covington LeAnn Milton Cox Sherry Oakley Daniel Christy Henderson Dickerson Sylvia Gayle Fairchild Julie JoAnn Ferguson Shelley Renae Fields Tammy Meador Gallagher Gloria Marie Goodin Domenick Lavette Hicks Amanda Kay Hilliard April Dawn Horton Natalie Mureen Hunter Pamela Denise Johnston Marchita Rena Magbie Kippy Anthony Mitchell Marcia Amatangelo Mitchell Heather Lee Morton Kellie Aman Norris Erica Davis Payne Amy Lynn Paynter Leah Williams Pernell Christopher Nicholas Riggan Sheila Pope Rooker Sherry Parrish Shehadeh Jamie Lynn Spencer Peggy Harris Spivey Lynette Collier Tilley Tina Marie VanBuren Kimberly Ackerman West Geneva Johnson Wright BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION William Junior Amerson Brian Coleman Baird Dainmeian Otis Ballard Jonathan Monroe Baptist Timothy Gerald Biddix Timothy Lovell Brooks Kattie Perry Brown Selena Burwell Sara Kathryn Byrd Euteiko Lavane Chambers Orenthia James Chesney Lisa Wynette Collier Melissa Blanks Faulkner Sandra Cooper Freddie Glenn Patton Harris Janice Darlene Hilton Andre Tremayne Horne W. James Hughes Andrew Jackson, Sr. Monteith Lamar Johnson Rachel Christian Jones Reginald Sydney Jones Steven G. Jones David Andrew Krause Gabriel Lee Leonard Alvin Lemond Malloy Ronny William Manning Michael Tywan Marsh Geoffrey M. Martin David Mena, Sr. Patrick Avery Moffett Lori Vick Null Kaneesha Lorraine Person Randall Lamont Pharr Glenda Gayle Poindexter Steven Franklin Rich Michael Robert Schrauth Gary Lamont Smith Adrian Jerome Stephenson Bryant Granarl Stewart James Daman Sumpter Gayle Maxine Harmon Szabo Debra Antoinette Jones Talley Kristi Lynn Tingen

James Walden Jeremy Lee Wallace John Lee Williams, Jr. Glynnis Ruschelle Wilson Sarah Louise Wilson BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION/ OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT Jodi Teel Brewer Mattie Hargrove CRIMINAL JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY Jackie DeZae Anderson Eliza Mary Galloway Robert P. Hargrove Gregory Page Hughes Sybil Renee Kearney Brian Michael Massengill Brenda Turner McGee Stacey Nicole Moser Tina Renay Peoples Natarsha Yvone Richardson Joan Talley Robinson Natalie Shea Stainback Betsey Lue Terry Daniel Ray Tharrington Sanya Denise Whitley Marcy Snow Wright Fredericka Wynn EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATE Jamie Rebecca Clifton Lisa Yarborough Mosley Amanda Lynn Tice La’wanda Nicole Wilkerson EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATE/TEACHER ASSOCIATE Katherine Marie Rainey ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY James Willoughbye Hicks III William Henry Nicholson Jeremy Allen Wall Timothy Wayne White HUMAN SERVICES TECHNOLOGY Flora W. Cates Karen Burwell Jones Jacqueline Annette Reese Ricky DeAngelo Sampson HUMAN SERVICES TECHNOLOGY/ MENTAL HEALTH Ann DeRita Taylor HUMAN SERVICES TECHNOLOGY/SUBSTANCE ABUSE Stephanie Owens Parrish INFORMATION SYSTEMS Nichole Michelle Affrunti Wanda Bobbitt Alston Cynthia Rose Anderson Suzanne Rudd Carpenter Albert Tyler Coburn Jennifer Lynn Davis Roberta Ann Durham Jonathan Douglas Gendron Portia Charmian Hargrove Laura Gail Hoover Uiama Jackson Shawn Ray Latta Christopher Lee Matthews Catherine Elizabeth McNamara Brenda Gill Oakley John Asa Parham, Jr. Amy Sue Raynor Frances Bennett Rogers

Bernice Tressia Royster Kathryn Ann Terry Danielle Rae Tippett Denise Marie Weimer Christopher Ian Wiggins INFORMATION SYSTEMS/ NETWORK ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT Brian Leighton Brooks Suzanne Rudd Carpenter Tina Nichole Core Peter Martin Cruz Kristen Ellen Edwards Anthony Virgil Grissom Sharon Diane Hamm Timothy Aaron Lovelace Jason Donald Overby MEDICAL ASSISTING Heather Marie Carter Cynthia Ann Cheek MEDICAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Tammy Cooper Kelly Renee Edmonds Brenda Balmer Elliott Catherine Elizabeth Jackson Christina Starr Lunsford Christina Candidan Lynch Martha Jane Malysz Sylvia Bea McMillan Sara Kate Shearin Valerie Jean Smith Jeffrey Bruce Weaver Jacquelina Wilkins OFFICE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY Diane Blalock LaTacha Monique Evans Thelma Patricia McClean Candice Ruth McNew Susan Waite Roberson Lottie Moss Stephenson Tiffany Tennille Williams OFFICE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY/LEGAL Jannine Nicole Blash Mattie Hargrove Martha Paschall Kearney Tafarrah Jacinta Powell RADIOGRAPHY Lynsay Dorothy Miriam Allen Betty Adcock Barker Krista Renee Briggs Amber Dawn Byers Carrie Elizabeth Denton Tabitha Grace Ethridge Adam Dean Harris Sharon Michelle Harvey Alma Elizabeth Holtzman Laura King Holtzmann Heather Aileen Kilby Elizabeth Diane Long Terri Lynn Merritt Stacey Ann Meza Cameron Cecille Miller Carla Renea Noell Julie Nicole Norwood Kari Ann Ollila Amanda Louise Overcash Jami Renee Patterson Tammy Stegall Richardson Deshaun Smith Cristal Carol Tart Lauren Leigh Vaughan Angela Marie Watson Elisabeth Ann Wessell Janet Garrett White Carol Elayne Whitfield RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES Vanessa Bumpass Dunkins Steven Ray Ellington, Jr.

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE

 

Andrea Nicole Blackwell	Nathasia Yvonne Lofton	Angela Faye Simmons
Tonya Ann Burwell	Laura Ann McDonald	Christina Maria Thompson
Orenthia James Chesney	Jessica Leigh Morris	Karri Ellen Wheeler
Teleza Rashida Cobbins	Laura Bundy Newton	James Maurice Williams
Adam Crandall Copeland	Marshall Gary Newton	James Crandall Wilson
Teresa Rae Dover	Randall Lamont Pharr	John Shelton Wilson
Leslie Jo Holland	Melinda Elizabeth Pope	Thomas André Winstead
Lamesha Tiffany Holmes	Phillip Morris Riggan	Roderick Tyronda Witherspoon
Kristie Diane Huff	Karen Phillips Rollins	Maria Hudgins Wright
Michael Dean Kromer	Kristi Marie Rowland	Richard William Young
Clarence Alfred Lindsey	Paul O’Brien Gill Rowland	Scottie James Zimmerle

 

 

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE

Andrea Nicole Blackwell
Krisitie Diane Huff
Phillip Morris Riggan
James Crandall Wilson
John Shelton Wilson

 

 

 

Text Of Speech By Lt. Governor Purdue

Thank you Chairman Nelms, President Miller, faculty, staff… and most importantly of all, graduating students, proud parents and family… for inviting me to be with you on such a special day.

I have to admit. I thought a long time about what I wanted to say to the approximately 400 students attending the graduation ceremony here today… from those of you still in your teens… to 60 year-young Flora Watkins Cates… who is getting her degree in Human Services Technology.  The only thing I know… and I both give and listen to a lot of graduation speeches… is that all of you want me to keep it brief.  And brief it will be.

When my sons graduated from college… I sat where you parents and grandparents and friends are sitting today.  And I was so happy… so proud…so hopeful for us all… so hopeful for America. And today, I am hopeful for all of you.  The future looks great from up here!

And today as I look at you graduates… just as I did at my son and his friends… I think about how very, very different the times are for all of us.  These are times of tumult. These are times of challenge and courage.  And these are times of rapid change. Our world is not what it was when you started your studies.

We live in an inter-connected world.  Our economy…culture… and social structure are now global. The changes taking place so rapidly in the 21^st century have, and will continue to pose, unique challenges:

·        America is fighting an international war on terrorism. A war unlike WWII…Korea… or Vietnam. A war new to America and to our world allies.

·        Our state, too, is fighting a war in a way… an economic war.

·        North Carolina lost more jobs than any other state in the nation over the past couple of years… many of them to poorer countries that pay lower wages. We now struggle to replace jobs in textile, furniture, and tobacco communities.

·        In North Carolina, our population is growing increasingly diverse… ethnically, religiously, and racially.

·        Over 100 languages are spoken in North Carolina’s public schools…community colleges… and universities.

·        Local newspapers… are as apt to have international news as their lead stories…as they are local news.

Fortunately, your education at Vance-Granville Community College has uniquely prepared you to meet the challenges in the new world order. Many of you came to Vance-Granville straight from high school… or took some time off after high school… some of you plan to transfer directly to a university. Many of you came back… for re-training or re-tooling… to work in a different industry.

And while many of you will stay in school and pursue a higher degree… many of you are now faced with the important transition from college to the job market. But as you all will come to realize… some sooner… some later… the 21^st century economy demands skills and a knowledge base…different than the past 100 years.

The job market of today and tomorrow… will be based on brains… not  brawn.  Minds… not muscles. It require a new level of understanding… of our economic and social institutions. With tools like the Internet…multi-national companies market in local economies… and local businesses can market internationally.

As has become apparent… in both positive and negative ways… what goes on in one part of the world… readily affects the institutions in another. This provides a new series of changes and challenges… that previous generations of students did not face.

To meet the changes and challenges in the new world… and to maintain our competitiveness in the world market… we must adjust the way we do business… the way we educate and re-educate our workforce… and our students… and how we think of the world around us.

It is more important now than ever… that college graduates become better equipped to compete in this 21^st economy… and to also have an understanding of … and sensitivity towards… those who will sit next to them in the classroom… eat next to them in the restaurant… and work next to them in the business place.

Today’s more successful institutions of post-secondary learning… places like Vance-Granville Community College… prepare students to meet the changing world by surrounding students with diverse people… ideas… and other opportunities to interact with various cultures.

And that is why I am so proud of each of you tonight. I know you are ready to work… live…learn… and love… in a world that looks much different than when I received my diplomas.

I understand… and I am greatly encouraged… that over 35 curriculum programs are represented today… including the unique certificate awarded from the Professional Truck Driving Institute. I read about Susan and Danny Sides… who came all the way from Alaska… to get this certificate from Vance-Granville.

I know your training and education here at Vance-Granville has prepared you to work with people of various backgrounds… and relate current events in North Carolina and the world… to your own life and career.

I am encouraged by students like Brenda and Teleza Cobbins … a mother-daughter dynamic duo who are graduating here today.  After graduating from high school… Brenda married and began to travel the world as a military wife and mother. Upon returning home, she began work at a company in Creedmoor… where she stayed 12 years until she was caught in a downsizing in 1999.

Her daughters… Teleza and Kendra… encouraged her to enroll at Vance-Granville Community College.  Now, after first attending UNC-Greensboro… Teleza is here at VGCC … closer to home and family… and has finished classes that will allow her to enter at North Carolina A&T in the Fall.

Today, I’m honored to recognize Brenda Cobbins… graduating from the Teacher Associate Program… and Teleza Cobbins… graduating with her Associate in Arts degree… and having completed the College Transfer program.

Both Brenda and Teleza credit the enthusiasm of the instructors and the outstanding education… for helping them learn… grow… and succeed.

Wow! What a story! And each and every one of you has your own story … perhaps very different from the Cobbins family… but very important to you.  And tonight, each of you graduates is the star of your own show… and deserves hugs, kisses, applause — and money would be nice.

You tonight… right here in Henderson… are myAmerican Idols.

And now, as I end… I have some wishes for you… and some “I want you” – typical of a woman… isn’t it?

I want you to be good to yourselves and others.  I also want you to take time… regardless of who you are or what you do… to give back to others.  Be involved in something that makes life better for others: the church… a school… a ball team… even politics.  It doesn’t matter what… but I bet with all my heart… God expects that from each of us.

So be optimistic… and have the resolve to make a positive difference in the world around you.

I wish for each of you a deep and abiding sense of hope… and belief in yourselves… that you can do anything and be anything.  Your world is limited only by you.

You will be working hard for many years to come… working hard or harder than you ever have before. Chances are… you may even spend more time at work than at home. So do something you love… and love those around you… family, friends, and your community.

Take care of yourself… and those you love.

At the end of the day… and it will surely come… as you think back on your life and what truly matters to you as a person… it won’t be the degrees… the money you’ve made… your golf handicap… or who won the Coca Cola 600.  You will look back at what you did to make life better… the people you touch… the love you experience… the joy of a life well lived.

I am so very proud of you … and I wish you only the best.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of one of the most significant days of your life.  My congratulations to the 2003 graduates of Vance-Granville Community College!