University of Mount Olive graduation: Looking to the future
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on August 27, 2017 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Joseph Robert McAlduff receives his hood during the summer commencement exercise at the University of Mount Olive Saturday.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Graduates wave to people they know as they wait in line outside of Kornegay Arena before summer commencement at the University of Mount Olive.
Graduations never get old, said David Bourgeois, registrar at University of Mount Olive for the past 22 years.
"It invigorates us," he said collectively of his staff. "A lot of us teach. It's an accomplishment to watch (students) watch across the stage and have their moment."
About 150 of the 200 candidates participated in the Saturday afternoon ceremony, representing UMO sites at Mount Olive, Mount Olive evening college, Seymour Johnson, Jacksonville, New Bern, Research Triangle Park and Wilmington.
Tammy Kantenwein of Goldsboro earned her master's degree in management of information systems.
She completed her undergraduate degree at UMO in 2015, embarking immediately on the master's program.
"I was afraid if I took a break I would not continue on with it," she said with a smile. "It's been a crazy two years but it's been worth it. I'm glad it's over.
"I don't know how you could do it with small children. My husband and (grown) daughter have been very supportive."
She also held down a full-time job as a testing coordinator with Wayne County Public Schools -- which, during testing season, often meant 60-70-hour work weeks.
"I love what I do know," she said before receiving her diploma. "We'll just see what doors open."
Military spouse Arminda Chavez-Volz received her bachelor's in business administration after transferring from Wayne Community College, where she teaches English as a Second Language.
First-generation in her family to complete college, there was also the challenge of juggling four children, all under 10, and "holding down the fort" while her husband was deployed twice.
"It's a humbling experience," she said of the occasion. "I wanted to model for my children the way to go."
She plans to take a break before continuing her studies toward a master's degree, she said.
UMO became "like a family" to international students Julie Gonzalez-Rodriguez from Belgium and Martim Amdrade Sousa, from Portugal. Classmates and teammates, both earned degrees in exercise science and coaching.
"In Europe, you would have to choose between sports and education," Rodriguez said. "Here in the states you can do both."
She played basketball and tennis, while Sousa was on the tennis team.
She now heads for Belgium but plans to pursue a master's program and become a coach, she said.
Being far away from home, it helped that those at the college were so inclusive and accepting, she said.
Sousa agreed, especially since he came to the school at age 17.
"As an international student you can just talk to the professors and they'll help you, they'll meet with you," he said.
He has a job awaiting him next month, at Averett University in Danville, Va., where he'll pursue his MBA and work as a graduate assistant tennis coach.
Addressing the latest graduating class was Brian Floyd, president of Vidant Medical Center.
He encouraged his audience to choose the path that leads to fulfillment, not money, and be present in the situations along the way, moment by moment.
"Don't underestimate the difference that you can make," he said. "Do not settle for average."
He pointed out that they may not get to choose all the steps of their career, but they can always choose to work hard and do their best.