Davidson-Davie Graduates Over 1,000; Record Numbers Cross the Stage

“There’s nothing better than celebrating our graduates while also welcoming family, friends, and community members to campus,” said Dr. Susan Burleson, executive vice president for academic and student affairs. “Over 4,000 people were on our campus today, and we were able to share with them what our faculty and staff already know – whether graduate, friend and family, or future student, you will always have a home at Davidson-Davie Community College.” An additional 1,000 people from six countries watched the college’s live stream at DavidsonDavie.edu/graduation.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Kevin Firquin shared with the audience why everyone should be proud to be part of Davidson-Davie. “Did you know that this college is the only North Carolina community college to earn an ‘Above Average’ or ‘Excellence’ level on all seven measures that the state uses to analyze performance?” he asked. “I am so proud to be part of the top college in the state, and I hope all of you here – whether graduate, family, employee, or community member – appreciate what it means to be associated with this college and have it in our community.”

Carol Boice, president of the student government association, built on the college’s “Storm” moniker and encouraged graduates to storm forward through the difficult parts of life, as she did in the years leading up to her decision to enroll at Davidson-Davie. “I’m grateful that I was able to continue forward until I could see the sunlight on the other side,” she told her classmates. “I hope that you will see yourself as I see you all now in this moment,” she added. “Proud, strong, brave, having overcome your own storms to get to this very moment.”

Boice also was recognized during graduation for being one of eight winners out of 2,700 applicants for the prestigious Guistwhite Scholarship through the national Phi Theta Kappa organization.