Looking to the future
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 11, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/ALAN CAMPBELL
Wayne Community College graduate Hannah Darden of Goldsboro is greeted by her mother, Angie Darden, on Tuesday following the commencement exercise. Darden received her associate in arts degree.
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News-Argus/ALAN CAMPBELL
Wayne Community College graduate Caroline Clucas receives a hug from Wayne Early Middle College High School guidance counselor Kerri Loury on Tuesday following the commencement exercise.
Wayne Community College graduated its largest class Tuesday evening, with 1,209 "pieces of paper" handed out to 861 students, representing 612 associate degrees, 128 diplomas and 469 certificates.
The ceremony marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another -- for graduates as well as the WCC president, Dr. Kay Albertson, retiring Aug. 1.
"The class of 2016 is particularly special to me because this is the one that's going to end my career," she said. "Your successes are really why we work hard every day."
In addition to the caps and gowns, honor cords and medallions, this year the college added red, white and blue honor cords for graduates who are active duty military and veterans. Patriotic ribbons were also worn by dependents and family members.
And every one who crossed the stage bore their own success story.
Joel Swenson, 57, thought he "was done" when he earned his horticulture degree years ago from Johnston Community College.
He had his own lawn care business and 85 regular customers.
"In one night, my equipment was stolen, the economy crashed," he said.
Then one of his customers, Case Farms, called and offered him a job, providing a reprieve. That was five and one-half years ago.
"I decided I needed my animal science degree," he said. "I had to make myself more attractive to an employer.
"Case Farms was willing to take me at face value but sometimes things happen. If Case Farms ever went away, I'd need the combination of experience and education."
Returning to college in 2014 was not easy, said the father of two and grandfather of three.
"In fact, that last semester it's been really hard, working 50 to 60 hours a week," he said. "You have all the same requirements with the job. It's almost like working two full-time jobs."
Tuesday marked the culmination of his efforts, receiving his diploma in animal science. But it doesn't stop there.
"This is my second degree and I will be earning my third one in December," he said, the next one in agribusiness. "I have three more classes to get that."
Despite the challenges, Swenson remains thankful.
"This is all because of God," he says. "I really feel like I have been held. He's had His hands underneath me to catch me. It was just really amazing.
"I have to do my part. The Lord blesses."
Traci Christian, military spouse and mother of two, earned an associate degree in business administration, all while battling melanoma.
She had first enrolled at WCC in 2009 but had to drop out for treatment when she was diagnosed in September 2010. Her children were then almost 2 and 5.
The West Virginia native said her family moved to Goldsboro so relatives could pitch in and help.
Now five and one-half years later, she is in remission and ready to move on with her life, she said.
"My kids are growing up. Now it's time to finish my education," she said.
Since volunteering in her children's school, she says she is now contemplating a different career path.
"I'm thinking of early childhood education," she said. "Probably in the fall, I'll take classes in that area at WCC."
The support of her husband, Jason Christian, and children, now 6 and 10, also made the occasion more special.
"I'm excited for my kids to be able to see it," she said. "They can see that it pays off."
Deborah Chunn was retired military and wondering what to do next. She earned an associate degree in turfgrass management, going on to earn degrees in agribusiness technology and sustainable agriculture.
"Two more degrees, in three semesters," she said proudly.
She also became a certified beekeeper, sparking an interest in a whole new direction.
"My goal is to try to develop special blends that are hard to find for pollination. I want to develop my own seed blend and sell them," she said.
The 63-year-old said the diploma affords her a newfound sense of pride and gratitude.
"This has been so rewarding for me. My mom has been my biggest supporter and my sister and my husband, Robert Chunn, who is with the sheriff's department," she said. "This has been a rewarding experience for me. Meeting the faculty and staff at Wayne Community has been a goal-setter."
The student speaker this year was recognized twice previously -- in 2015 with the college's academic excellent award and recently as outstanding nursing graduate.
But despite her passion for becoming a nurse, Audi Ponce Torres almost didn't even enroll.
"I always wanted to be a nurse but there was always something going on in my life," said the mother of two. "I never thought I was smart enough to get into the nursing program. It was so competitive.
"I always had the fear of starting something and then failing at it. Then one day I sat down and thought, you never know until you try."
Now the 32-year-old, officially a registered nurse, has been hired to work in the ICU, intensive care unit, at Wayne Memorial Hospital, starting in July.
"I'm very excited, very nervous, because I'm jumping into something big," she said. "It's (college has) been one of the biggest accomplishments I have done in my life.
"I always knew I wanted to be something better. I wanted to be a role model for my children. I just needed to take that first step."
Also announced during the ceremony was the recipient of the 2016 George E. Wilson Excellence in Teaching award, David Vinciguerra, primary instructor of simulation and game development courses in the information systems technology department. A member of the faculty for five years, prior to that he worked for seven years at East Carolina University, where he had obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees.
A 1993 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School, Vinciguerra received his associate degree from WCC in 1999. In addition to being presented a framed certificate and cash award from the Foundation of WCC, he becomes the college's nominee for the N.C. Community College System's Teaching Excellence award.