Presenting the Class of 2008

The ceremony: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Curriculum graduation at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday.

The class of 2008: With a total of 594 graduates, the Class of 2008 is the largest in the history of CCC&TI. The Class of 2008 was comprised of 329 females and 265 males with 32 being the average age of graduates. Nine Dream Scholars and 41 Trio/SSS students walked across the stage to receive their degrees.

Graduation reflections:

Ryan Sims, 20: College Transfer, Pharmacy: “I'm looking forward to moving on with my life and continuing my education at Wingate University. At CCC&TI, I learned how to be a lot more responsible and manage money better. I also learned the value of education and where it can take you in life.”

Michelle Tester, 39, Accounting and Business Administration: “With the education I've received here, I'm going back into the workforce. The best part of my experience at CCC&TI is having my kids and my mother here to see me walk across the stage tonight.”

Teresa Townsend, 42, Computer Information Technology: “I tell people that this school has been sitting here the whole time. I didn't realize how good it is until I started attending. The faculty and staff really care about the students, and that makes all the difference in the world. They have encouraged me to keep going, even through the tough times. I'm thinking about getting my bachelor's in computer information technology to teach computers.”

Speakers: CCC&TI Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Jerry Church and CCC&TI President Dr. Ken Boham.

What Boham said: “Of all the things I do at my job, this is by far the most rewarding. Seeing the smiling faces and shaking the hands of our candidates for graduation is truly what makes all of that bearable. Savor the feeling tonight, but also remember that tonight is a celebration, it is not an ending. Look at this as a new beginning. There is a true need to remain current in your chosen fields and indeed become lifelong learners. The world is changing so rapidly around us that without an effort to keep up it will not take too long for you to be left behind. You've worked extremely hard and have accomplished a goal while juggling other responsibilities. You truly know how to multi-task. Many of you may also be a first-generation graduate, and for that you should be extremely proud. Whatever your motivation, the take-away tonight is that you have made a positive change in your lives. What you have accomplished was not easy and did not come without a great deal of effort. Along the way you probably met someone that supported you and helped you when you were not at your very best, and they did show that they cared. You have the choice now to be a positive role model. Pass that on to others. Remember that someone who was there for you. Reach out and provide the possibility you have before you. The accomplishment you have achieved tonight can never be take away. Never forget that life is God's gift to you; what you do with it is your gift to God.

What Church said: “CCC&TI saw many successes this year. While all of our programs continue to be recognized for outstanding accomplishments, it certainly is the faculty and staff that is responsible for making this possible. What we're here for tonight is the graduates. There are 594 stories of individual achievement.”

Trustees' Student Awards of Merit: In 1973, the board of trustees established three awards to graduating students in the college transfer, technical and vocational programs. Nominations for these awards are made by the faculty and based on evidence of outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community service.

Recipients: Morgan Church, Chastidy McNeely

Donald Lackey Teaching Excellence Award: The Donald W. Lackey Award was established in 1988 to honor Dr. Don Lackey for his outstanding service on the Board of Trustees. This award recognizes a faculty member who characterizes personal dedication, concern for student welfare and academic excellence.

Recipient: Matthew Williams, English instructor

Printer Friendly Version

E-mail this story to friend