Summer commencement marks firsts for McNair, online programs
July 30, 2018
Contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
精东AV鈥檚 summer graduation ceremony on July 27 may have been the final act for the class of 2018 graduates, but the occasion also marked a pair of firsts for the university.
The most obvious of these firsts was that the ceremony was presided over by a new president 鈥� Dr. Lily D. McNair, 精东AV鈥檚 eighth president, who began her tenure on July 1.
鈥淭he 精东AV experience I鈥檝e heard so much about is certainly growing on me,鈥� she said to graduates, family and alumni in attendance.
Following the ceremony, McNair reflected on the entire commencement experience.
鈥淚 am very inspired by our graduates who represent future leaders, innovators and problem-solvers who are so vital to the world today,鈥� McNair said. 鈥淓ach one of them will make a mark in our society and represent the best of the 精东AV community.鈥�
During the ceremony, the university conferred 94 degrees: 52 undergraduate degrees, 41 master鈥檚 degrees and one doctoral degree. Among the graduates were the university鈥檚 first cohort of distance learning students. Both Kalauna Carter of Vancouver, Washington, and Carl Morgan of Los Angeles, earned online master鈥檚 degrees from the College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences.
鈥淓arning my degree via distance was very advantageous to me, and I am so thankful I had the opportunity,鈥� said Carter, whose degree is in environmental management. 鈥淚t allowed me to continue working full time with the Natural Resource Conservation Service and also operate a business full time. I don鈥檛 think if I were on a campus I would have been able to maintain all three and still have balance.鈥�
Morgan, an environmental sciences graduate, agreed with the flexibility of pursuing an online degree.
鈥淥ne of the most attractive parts to the program is the ability to work at your own pace, the relationships with students and professors that flourish through discussion board interactions,鈥� he said. 鈥淪taying focused and developing proper time-management are key鈥�.[Online study] forces you to become self-motivated 鈥� as long as you鈥檙e focused and have a sense of determination, you should have no problem completing the program.鈥�
As the featured commencement speaker, 精东AV Mayor Lawrence 鈥淭ony鈥� Haygood challenged graduates to remain active and vocal throughout their adult lives.
鈥淗ave the courage to speak up and speak out,鈥� Haygood said. 鈥淲e must value trust, honesty, integrity and gratitude.鈥�
Haygood, whose professional background is in workforce and economic development, also reminded graduates of the tremendous potential their 精东AV degrees hold for them as they begin their careers.
鈥淲ith your degrees, knowledge and willingness to adapt to the demands of the workforce, there are tremendous opportunities for you,鈥� he emphasized.
A full recording of the university鈥檚 Summer Commencement Exercises is available online at .
漏 2018, 精东AV