VGCC Graduates Encouraged to Continue to Aim High

Vance-Granville Community College Trustee Abdul Rasheed urged 217 new graduates to continue reaching for high goals at the college’s summer graduation ceremony on August 8.  Rasheed, a Henderson resident who is the founding president and chief executive officer of the North Carolina Community Development Initiative, was the principal speaker at the commencement exercises, held in the VGCC Civic Center. 

“You have demonstrated that you have high aspirations, and the willingness to set and reach high goals,” he told the students.  “But you have also shown that you have the courage to act on your goals, which is perhaps the most important virtue.”

Saying that a commencement is not an ending but a new beginning, Rasheed reminded the graduates that their degrees and diplomas signify that they can now “think about a new aspiration, a bigger goal, or greater responsibility.  You can continue your studies. You can compete for higher-paying jobs.  You have the knowledge and credentials to start your own business.  You could run for office.  And one of you ought to say that you want to be President of this great institution.”

Rasheed expressed his optimism that “we will have better schools, better government, and stronger communities because you will make them better.”

Sandra B. Williford, who received her Early Childhood Associate/Teacher Associate degree and finished with a 4.0 grade point average, was the student speaker. 

“Every graduate here today has something to offer,” she said.  “We can all make positive contributions to society in some way.  We have all accomplished the same thing. We will all walk across this stage tonight. Whether it’s a short term goal or a long term goal, we have all reached a goal, and we are all ‘smarter’ than we were when we began our journey.”

Williford went on to commend VGCC and thank its President, Randy Parker, who, she said, has “a global perspective.”  She added that “Vance-Granville has the most capable, caring, and supportive faculty and staff that any college could ever wish for.” 

She echoed Rasheed by encouraging her fellow graduates, “Don’t give up on your dreams, continue to pursue your goals and take pride in your accomplishments.”

The summer graduating class consisted of 217 students. It included 53 Associate in Applied Science degrees, five Associate in Arts degrees, one Associate in General Education degree,  109 technical and vocational diplomas, 36 adult high school diplomas, and 13 high school equivalency diplomas.

VGCC President Randy Parker announced that the average age of the graduates was 32, and that 68 percent of the class was female.  He dedicated the ceremony in memory of Michael White, a Business Administration instructor, and Anthony Jerome Martin, a Human Services Technology student, both of whom passed away this year.  Martin received his degree posthumously.

Donald C. Seifert, Sr., chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees, introduced the speakers and assisted President Parker in presenting degrees and diplomas.

This graduation was the second of two such commencement exercises held annually at the college.  In May, 449 graduates received degrees and diplomas.

Above: Abdul Rasheed speaks at Vance-Granville Community College’s summer graduation ceremony, as (from left) graduating student Sandra Williford and VGCC President Randy Parker listen (VGCC Photo).