Phillip Jones, newly elected mayor of Newport News, will give 91制片’s first commencement address since the 56-year-old institution was renamed.
Jones’ keynote speech at the May 12 ceremony is one of three such addresses he will be delivering that week. The other two are at high schools, including his alma mater, Hampton Christian Academy.
The theme for his 91制片 speech will be a changing workforce.
鈥淭he world is basically their oyster and they just need to decide what they want to do with all the talents and skills that they have,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to just encouraging them in their journey and encouraging them to dream big.鈥
Dreaming big has worked for him. When he was sworn in as mayor of Newport News on Jan. 10, he was 33, the youngest elected mayor in city history. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history from the United States Naval Academy, and an MBA and a master鈥檚 in public policy from Harvard. While at Harvard, he was a Tillman Scholar and co-president of the Veterans Club.
鈥淔or the veterans who go to graduate school, the Pat Tillman is essentially our version of the Rhodes Scholarship,鈥 he said.
Education has been extremely important to his family, and he wants the 91制片 graduates to know how it can change their lives and the community. That is why he agreed to the speaking engagement.
鈥淪trong cities have a strong community college and I wanted to encourage innovation and collaboration in that space,鈥 he said.
He sees it as part of his job to be involved with the College.
鈥淚 just think that it鈥檚 important that the mayor partners with higher education because higher education will always be the panacea,鈥 he added. 鈥淚t will always be the thing that can help uplift someone and change their life. I鈥檓 a huge proponent of what higher ed can do, obviously being African American.鈥
He said his great-grandparents were sharecroppers, but education changed his grandparents鈥 lives, his parents鈥 lives, and his life.
鈥淭o see that cycle, that seed, was all due to education, I鈥檓 really excited (to speak to 91制片 students),鈥 he said.
The event, at Liberty Live Church in Hampton, is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Graduates should arrive by 12:30 p.m. and guests by 1 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served, but overflow seating will be available.
Award winners
The recipients of the College鈥檚 two most prestigious awards were announced, with Lewis Silverman garnering the President鈥檚 Award, and Alma Avelar the Vice President鈥檚 Award. The awards honor exceptional academic performance. Criteria include a high cumulative grade point average, completing at least 60 semester hours of coursework, and receiving an associate degree.
Expos a success
The College presented graduation expos at each campus last week sponsored by the Office of Student Life & Leadership and the Commencement Committee. Activities included a cap decorating station, opportunities for students to have professional photos taken, and the recording of congratulatory messages to graduates from students, faculty, and staff. The recordings will be part of the commencement countdown video at the graduation ceremony.
Office closings
Enrollment Management and Student Success offices聽will be closed on the day of graduation. This includes Admissions, Records & Registration, Academic Advising, Accessibility Services, TRiO, Testing, Department of Athletics, Student Life & Leadership, and Great Expectations.
