“Welcome to the Big Top. This is the greatest show on earth,” said Dr. Al Roberts, Provost of the John H. Daniel Campus of Southside Virginia Community College on the morning of the college’s Commencement Ceremony. Held on May 14, 2011 in Keysville, the event marked the first time a huge tent was raised so that the ceremony could be held outside rain or shine.
Approximately 1,100 students were candidates for graduation receiving degrees, diplomas and certificates in the annual ceremony of this branch of the 23 college Virginia system. The crowd attending the event is estimated at 3,500 people and it was a day of joy, tears, accomplishment and celebration.
“This is your day, it is all about you today,” said Melissa D. Back, Commencement Speaker and SVCC faculty member. “Dr. Cavan (SVCC President) asked me to speak today from the heart; he knows that I am one of you because 33 years ago, I was a student here. I was born in Southside and raised on a tobacco farm here to a family that valued education.”
She reminded the graduates of their family at SVCC that has nurtured them and who believe that each one is special. She said the SVCC family has watched them strive and juggle their lives to reach this goal.
“It has been said, the steeper the climb, the sweeter the air at the top. Be proud of your courage and commitment, you have told us you value education and only through education can you receive life’s finest rewards.”
In conclusion, Back noted that “these are the good old days” and asked the students to transfer their value of lifelong learning to their children and future generations.
Also during the ceremony, SVCC recognized four students from the Honors Program who are members of the class of 2011. They are April Lynn Harris of South Hill, Cassidy Michael Nathaniel Stinson of Dillwyn, Zachary Wayne Talley of South Hill and Tiandra Glennette Thomas of LaCrosse. Students accepted into this program have the chance to pursue a variety of honors courses, seminars and special projects. Those chosen have high academic standards and leadership potential.
The Academic All-USA Team was recognized also. Terri Lynn Hickson of Brodnax and Cassidy Michael Nathaniel Stinson of Dillwyn were chosen by the American Association of Community Colleges/Phi Theta Kappa/All-USA Team to represent some of the best academic talent at the nation’s community and technical colleges. They were both also chosen for the Top Ten All-Virginia Team and Stinson was named as a Silver Scholar by the Coca-Cola Foundation to receive a $1,250 scholarship.
Another celebration and tradition was continued during the commencement as hooding ceremonies were held for two college employees who recently reached their goals of further education. Chad Patton, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Research, was hooded by his children, Ella and Kira and assisted by Dr. Roberts, his mentor. Chad began his education with Associates in Police Science. He then continued a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and then with a Master’s of Science in Sociology from Longwood University. He has now achieved his Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University.
Jacquelin S. Daniel, Assistant Professor Associate Degree Nursing, received her hood from husband, Bucky, and sons Noah and Luke, assisted by Michelle Edmonds, Dean of Nursing and Health Technologies. She began her education with a diploma in nursing from Watts School of Nursing in Durham, North Carolina, in 1991. She then continued with a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate from The Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1999. She later entered Old Dominion University where she obtained a BSN and MSN with a degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
She has now achieved her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (and Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education) from Old Dominion University.
The college also recognized students who completed degrees from the Old Dominion University Distance Learning sites located on SVCC campuses. They are
Stephen T. Bishop, Jr., Carol Cla,. Kayla Ashley Cromartie, Kristy Currin, Mara Lynn Eggleston and Amanda Clark Martin.
There were 196 Dual Enrollment students recognized as graduates at this year’s commencement. This program is a partnership between Virginia’s public school systems and area private schools and SVCC that allow high school students to earn high school and college credit at the same time. These courses are taught at area high schools and SVCC and students can earn associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, career studies certificates and a certificate of completion in specialized areas.
The Middle College program at SVCC offers 18 to 24 years olds without a high school degree a second chance at success in pursuing their GED® credential, community college education, and a workforce certification. There were 87 Middle College graduates this year.
The college also recognized Make-It-Happen participants who graduated this year. The mission of this program is to enroll minority male students in institutes of higher education and provide support services to ensure their success. They are Courtney Douglas Brown, Henry B. Bullock III, Jyvel Ryshaad Coleman, Steven Lorenzo Greenidge, Darius Antoine Love, Anthony John Rigoli, Terrell DeVonte’ Walker.
(c) 2011. Southside Virginia Community College. All rights reserved.
Southside Virginia Community College is dedicated to the belief that all citizens should be given an opportunity to acquire an educational foundation that develops and extends their skills and knowledge. The college’s goal is to provide diverse instructional programs ranging from developmental studies to associate degree curricula in academic, technical / vocational, lifelong education, and workforce development. Through various activities, to include distance learning, students will also have the opportunity to develop their roles and responsibilities as participants in a changing society. Privacy | Accessibility
