May 9

May 9 LCC holds transitional and career studies graduation

Tuesday night marked a milestone for more than 100 graduates in the Lenoir Community College Transitional and Career Studies Program as they walked across the stage to receive their GED or Adult High School diplomas.

This is the first year LCC has held two graduations. Commencement speaker Nicholas E. Harvey II, assistant superintendent of Student Services and Operations of Lenoir County Public Schools, praised the Class of 2019 for its perseverance and challenged the graduates to continue to move forward. There are 106 graduates who have earned awards, 93 High School Equivalency (GED) and 13 Adult High School diplomas.

LCC President Dr. Rusty Hunt congratulated the graduates.

“this is not the end, it is just the beginning,” he said. “Your next big adventure is waiting for you and we have confidence that you are prepared to take on the challenge.”

Hunt continued, “Know that we will always consider you a part of Lancer Nation and whatever your educational future holds, I hope you will consider LCC as part of your journey. Now relax, take it all in, and enjoy as we celebrate with each of you on this tremendous milestone in your life. We are so very proud of you!”

LCC Dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education Dr. Dustin Walston told the graduates he looked forward to seeing what the future holds for each of them.

“I am just so proud of you,” he told the Class of 2019.

Student speaker Joshua Corey, a High School Equivalency graduate shared his educational journey. He told the graduates he had a rocky start with education, but soon realized he needed to change and get serious about where he was heading in life.

“I was really nervous and my first few days it was the same thing I had experienced before. I didn’t know anybody and nobody knew me. However, things changed quickly,” he said. “It was almost as if we were all one big family. I had my head where it needed to be when I got here at LCC. Everyone deserves a second chance; I told myself time after time this is my chance to make something of myself.”

Corey said the more he was at LCC, the more he learned about himself.

“It was not that I couldn’t do the schoolwork or didn’t understand,” he said. “It's about the people you surround yourself with and wanting to do better. Every day I learned new things about myself that I thought I was never capable of doing.

“I was working two days a week and going to school three days a week. After four months of me being here, I found out about the ACE program. Through the ACE program, I was able to obtain my welding credential. This packed my schedule. I was taking welding and GED classes, and I started a new job waiting tables at King's Restaurant all at the same time. I decided to make a move.

“I saved every penny I made and made a down payment on a house that I now own,” he said. “Once I got on the right road to success, I didn’t slow down. There was not a speed limit for me. I finished the welding program and the ACE program within a year of being at LCC. I was still working nights at the restaurant and attending the GED program.

“The big day finally came. I finished the GED program and left waiting tables to pursue my full-time job as a welder at Kinston Steel Company. It's been a very long road to get to where I am at today. It took many late nights and long days. I now live on my own at 18 years old with my fiancé. She has been by my side through this long journey,” Corey said.

“I guess the reason I decided to share my story is to inspire other people. I never thought I would be here today celebrating graduation and getting the chance to speak,” he said. “I have completely turned my life around and I will continue to push harder and harder every day. Finally, I want to say congratulations to the fellow graduates here today and always reach for the stars.”