VGCC Graduates honored at historic ceremony
Graduates at Vance-Granville Community College’s 44th commencement exercises on May 10 were instructed to “go big or don’t go at all” by featured speaker Dr. Tom Houlihan. A resident of Oxford, member of the State Board of Community Colleges and former member of the VGCC Board of Trustees, Houlihan addressed more than 470 graduates 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.
The event was historic in more than one way. As VGCC Board of Trustees chair Deborah Brown noted, among the Class of 2013 were the first graduates from each of the Early College high schools operated by the college in partnership with four local school systems. A total of 46 students graduated with degrees or diplomas from VGCC while graduating from high school the same month. Meanwhile, the month of May also marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the N.C. Community College System, which Houlihan helps to lead as a board member. Houlihan, whose long career in education has included service as superintendent of Granville County Schools, asked graduates to consider their dreams for the future, and not to limit themselves. “Chase those dreams and never give up,” he said. “Each of us, no matter how young or how mature we are, or how many obstacles are placed in front of us, can follow our dreams. Your graduation is a significant step forward, but it is only one step.”
Felicia Sanders-Gupton of Warrenton, who served as president of the VGCC Student Government Association and graduated with an Associate in Arts degree , spoke on behalf of her classmates. Just weeks after her graduation at VGCC, she was set to continue her education at North Carolina Central University, where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Sanders-Gupton said that commencement was “a bittersweet day for me because although I am excited and proud to take my education to the next level, I’m also sad about leaving home, because Vance-Granville is home.” She urged graduates to “go out and excel, be a positive example, and display the training that we learned here at home. Go confidently with the knowledge that we picked the perfect place to start the rest of our lives.”
During her remarks, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, president of VGCC, reflected on the history of the community college system. “In 1963, visionary leaders established a system providing a wide range of opportunities with an ‘open door’ philosophy,” Williams said. “That door has remained open and eventually it welcomed all of you, the Class of 2013. In your faces, I see the success of this system – in the diversity of backgrounds, of talents, and of interests that you represent.” The president also recognized one of the graduates, Rita Hatzimimis of Wake Forest, as the recipient of the N.C. Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award , which she received along with her degree in Radiography. The award is presented to one student from each college in the system every year.
Members of this year’s class, including those predicted to graduate in August, were awarded 283 Associate in Applied Science degrees, 86 Associate in Arts degrees, 14 Associate in Science degrees, two Associate in Arts Core diplomas and 101 technical and vocational diplomas. Sanders-Gupton 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 English instructor Wendy Frandsen, the college’s 2012-2013 Faculty Member of the Year.
Above: State Board of Community Colleges member Dr. Tom Houlihan (standing) delivers the commencement address at Vance-Granville Community College on May 10, as student speaker Felicia Sanders-Gupton (seated in front) listens. (VGCC Photo)
Above: State Board of Community Colleges member Dr. Tom Houlihan presents the N.C. Community College System’s Academic Excellence Award to Rita Hatzimimis of Wake Forest, as she graduated with a Radiography degree. (VGCC photo)
See also: VGCC honors Adult Basic Skills graduates
