News

August 6, 2007
ECC Graduation: Shelton Stresses Courage and Character

Retired Army General Hugh Shelton encouraged ECC graduates to live their lives with courage and character during his commencement address on August 3.

by Laura Ashley Lamm
Staff Writer
The Daily Southerner

“You don’t have to look any farther than yourself to find success,” said retired Army Gen. Hugh Shelton as he gave an inspirational commencement address to more than 300 graduates at Edgecombe Community College’s graduation on Friday night.

Those successful graduates received degrees in 21 majors, diplomas in nine concentrations and certificates in six areas. Sixty graduates received their GEDs.

Shelton, retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, received a standing ovation for his speech informing graduates about the importance of opportunity, courage and character.

“Just a short while ago, there were many obstacles between you and tonight. There were books to read, exams to be pass, papers to write, jobs to work at and even parenting in some cases,” said Shelton. “You have demonstrated that you have the ability, the determination, the drive, the persistence to succeed at anything you put your mind to.”

“Opportunities don’t come knocking on the door…you have to make those opportunities yourself,” said Shelton.

“Part of your success is going to be determined by your own ability to make sure you get out and look for opportunities. It’s your ability to turn defeat into victory, frustration into satisfaction, and satisfaction into reality,” he continued.

Shelton told graduates that to find opportunities they need courage.

“(You need) courage that will allow you to take a chance, to maybe make a mistake, to realize that in the process that you are going to learn from the mistakes. Muster courage from inside and go for your goals,” he said.

Shelton said opportunities and courage mattered little, if the graduates didn’t lead a good life to make their town, community, state, and nation a better place.

“You can’t be a good technician or a good teacher if you don’t possess a strong ethical character.”

During the commencement exercises, the ECC Foundation recognized two members of the faculty and staff for their distinguished service to the college.

“Since 1987, ECC has recognized excellence in teaching by naming a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award based on a faculty member’s ability to initiate innovative teaching methods, interact successfully with students, demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom, and exhibit unselfish devotion and significant contributions to the student, college, and system,” explained Dr. Deborah Lamm, ECC president.

The ECC Foundation recognized Johanna Owens as this year’s recipient.

“She has served as an ECC instructor of English for the past three years. During this period, she has quickly established herself as a gifted classroom teacher, an exceptional advisor, and a student advocate,” said Karen Andrus, executive director of the ECC Foundation, as she made the presentation.

Owens was a member of the first cohort of the Edgecombe Leadership Initiative. She serves as chair of the Quality Enhancement Plan development team and chair of the Diversity and Global Connections Committee.

“She incorporates the knowledge she has gained from these activities into her classrooms in order to give her students a view of the world beyond Edgecombe County and North Carolina, impressing upon students the importance of a global perspective,” said Andrus.

“In 2001, the State Board of Community Colleges initiated the Staff Award. This program recognizes excellent performance and commitment to the community college mission by non-teaching staff,” said Lamm.

The recipient, Lamm explained, is selected based on the following criteria: consistent and excellent performance on the job; initiative, innovation, and leadership in the workplace; responsible use of time, money, technology, personnel, and other resources; attention to professional and personal development; and willingness to share time and expertise through service to the institution, its students, and the community.

Larry Stroud was the recipient of this year’s Staff Award for his 35 years of service to the college, 34 years as a full-time instructor and department chairman, and the last 22 years serving both as the director of computer services and as an instructor.

“He has supervised the support and maintenance of more than 500 desktop computers; performed in-house training for faculty and staff; developed interactive programs for the Web site; served as technical site manager for the high tech classrooms; and implemented servers, firewalls, and processes for security and efficiency,” said Andrus.

“For his entire career, his performance has been exemplary. Students are first and the institution is second in establishing priorities on the job. He meets the needs of others before those of his own,” added Andrus.

Stroud retired from ECC in June and was unable to be present at the commencement. Upon hearing the news of his recognition, Andrus said, “He graciously donated his monetary award back to the foundation to grow the Larry Stroud Information Technology Scholarship.”

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