Dublin – Bladen Community College welcomed fall semester students, faculty and guests to the 2015 Fall Convocation on September 1, 2015. The Convocation service provides an opportunity for students to ponder the upcoming semester and commit to completion with encouragement from motivational guests and speakers.
The assembly featured greetings to the students from Executive Vice President Jeff Kornegay and Student Government Association President James Johnson. Travis Locklear, Director of Basic Skills, provided the invocation.
Career and College Promise student, Sean Davis sang “A Change is Gonna Come” (written in 1963 by rhythm and blues singer and songwriter Sam Cooke).
Dennis Troy, chairman of the Board of Trustees, also greeted students, asserting that the Board is committed to the personal success of every student.
Dr. William Findt, President of the college recognized four staff and faculty individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the success of the college.
The Staff Member of the Year Award was presented to Anthony Thomas, Director of Student Services. Thomas began his career at BCC in 2004 as an instructor for the continuing education division. While completing his master’s degree in education, Thomas conducted research on Minority Males Enrolled in Higher Education Programs in Bladen County. He has led the mentoring program for minority males at the college for the past eight years.
Thomas volunteers with youth programs at local churches and provides workshops for young adults with the Lumber River Council of Government. He is also the playwright for successful productions that humorously depict life in Bladen County.
Two employees received the Excellence in Teaching as an Adjunct Award. Tim Marshburn has taught in the BCC Cosmetology department for two years. After serving in the Navy for eight years, he received his Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology and an Associate in Arts from Wake Technical Community College. In May of 2016, Marshburn will graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies.
Marshburn owns a salon in downtown Wilmington where he provides free cosmetology services for women from the domestic violence shelter. This service helps to build confidence among women and prepares them for the work environment.
Also receiving an Excellence in Teaching as an Adjunct Award was Meschelle Quine, an instructor in the Office Administration program. Quine holds an Associate Degree in Medical Assisting, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, and a Master’s Degree in Health Administration. As a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Medical Assistant, Quine is employed with Novant Health Medical Group as a group educator.
Distinguished faculty member, chair of the math and science department, and chair of the faculty senate, Lisa DeVane, was presented with the Excellence in Education Award. DeVane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and a Bachelor of Art degree in Chemistry from North Carolina State University. She received her Master of Art degree in Science Education with eighteen hours of chemistry credit from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
DeVane addressed the assembly as the guest speaker with rousing comments and a motivational video presentation.
“The students are the reason we are here,” remarked DeVane to faculty and staff. She stressed the importance of envisioning the students, staff, and faculty as integral parts of a puzzle, all interactive and dependent on one another to complete the puzzle.
DeVane challenged students to ask themselves, “Why am I taking classes at BCC?” While there are many valid answers, DeVane encouraged students to adopt one important answer. “I am going to college for me, and me alone,” she remarked. “An education is something no one can take away from you”.
DeVane’s visual presentation stressed having the courage to make your life meaningful. Its message was ‘take full responsibility’ for your life. Follow your heart and intuition. They already know what you need to do.
Bladen Community College welcomes inquiries about how to change your life through education. For information, call 910 879-5500 and speak with a counselor.
Share on social media using short code: https://bladencounty.org/?p=24994
About Author
