Gilbert addresses 2011 Southern State graduates
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Southern State Community College’s 36th annual commencement exercises were held 7 p.m. Friday, June 10, in the Patriot Center on SSCC’s Central Campus in Hillsboro. A total of 564 students applied for degrees or certificates as part of the class of 2011.
The invocation, given by Kaitlynn Colvin, president of SSCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by vocalists Jessica Wise, Amy Kline and Bethany Griffith. Dr. Kevin S. Boys, president of Southern State Community College, provided the welcome, along with Jeff Wallace, president of the SSCC Faculty Senate, and Kay Ayres, chairperson of the SSCC Board of Trustees.
Every year, Southern State Community College invites nominations of students for graduation speaker. The finalists included graduating students Marilyn Chaffin of Frankfort, Carrie Chalker of Peebles, Lori Gilbert of Clarksville, Michael Malloy of Staunton, June Reighley of Winchester, Casey Stickle of Wilmington, Shaun Stollings of Yellow Springs, and Mari Todd of Washington C.H. To view a video featuring the eight finalists, please visit www.youtube.com/ssccpatriots.
The selected guest speaker for the evening was Lori Gilbert, who received her associate of applied business degree in accounting during the commencement ceremony. In her speech, Gilbert recalled the day a couple years ago when her employer announced it would be shutting down operations.
“In that one moment, all of our lives were drastically changed,” she said. “But prior to my last day at work, I had made a decision. I was going back to school. At the time, I had no idea how I would have an income or how I could afford books and tuition. I simply decided that I would not take no for an answer. There was no other alternative. I was going back to school.”
Gilbert maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout her college career and became involved in the student community, serving as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and as president of the Student Government Association. She credited the late Bill Horne with being one of the most instrumental instructors during her time at Southern State.
“He was more than an instructor; Bill taught us to think for ourselves,” she said. “He advised us to never cross the line and do anything that would compromise our morals. He challenged us to do something that we would remember for the rest of our lives. And anytime someone complained about something, he always responded with the same answer: ‘What are you going to do to change it?’ Bill was not only determined; he was fearless.”
Following Gilbert’s address, Ryan McCall, Ph.D. vice president of academic affairs, recommended the candidates for degrees, which were conferred by President Boys and Trustee Ayres. James Bland, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, announced the graduates. The benediction was provided by Monica Hinzman, president of the Student Government Association.
For more information about Southern State Community College, call 1-800-628-7722, email info@sscc.edu or visit www.sscc.edu.[[In-content Ad]]
The invocation, given by Kaitlynn Colvin, president of SSCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by vocalists Jessica Wise, Amy Kline and Bethany Griffith. Dr. Kevin S. Boys, president of Southern State Community College, provided the welcome, along with Jeff Wallace, president of the SSCC Faculty Senate, and Kay Ayres, chairperson of the SSCC Board of Trustees.
Every year, Southern State Community College invites nominations of students for graduation speaker. The finalists included graduating students Marilyn Chaffin of Frankfort, Carrie Chalker of Peebles, Lori Gilbert of Clarksville, Michael Malloy of Staunton, June Reighley of Winchester, Casey Stickle of Wilmington, Shaun Stollings of Yellow Springs, and Mari Todd of Washington C.H. To view a video featuring the eight finalists, please visit www.youtube.com/ssccpatriots.
The selected guest speaker for the evening was Lori Gilbert, who received her associate of applied business degree in accounting during the commencement ceremony. In her speech, Gilbert recalled the day a couple years ago when her employer announced it would be shutting down operations.
“In that one moment, all of our lives were drastically changed,” she said. “But prior to my last day at work, I had made a decision. I was going back to school. At the time, I had no idea how I would have an income or how I could afford books and tuition. I simply decided that I would not take no for an answer. There was no other alternative. I was going back to school.”
Gilbert maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout her college career and became involved in the student community, serving as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society and as president of the Student Government Association. She credited the late Bill Horne with being one of the most instrumental instructors during her time at Southern State.
“He was more than an instructor; Bill taught us to think for ourselves,” she said. “He advised us to never cross the line and do anything that would compromise our morals. He challenged us to do something that we would remember for the rest of our lives. And anytime someone complained about something, he always responded with the same answer: ‘What are you going to do to change it?’ Bill was not only determined; he was fearless.”
Following Gilbert’s address, Ryan McCall, Ph.D. vice president of academic affairs, recommended the candidates for degrees, which were conferred by President Boys and Trustee Ayres. James Bland, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, announced the graduates. The benediction was provided by Monica Hinzman, president of the Student Government Association.
For more information about Southern State Community College, call 1-800-628-7722, email info@sscc.edu or visit www.sscc.edu.[[In-content Ad]]