The keynote speaker was Brenda Newberry, chairman and founder of The Newberry Group,
a global IT consultancy specializing in cyber security, and a principal of Nesher
LLC, a consulting firm specializing in speaking and writing on diverse business, board,
leadership and life management topics. Newberry advised the graduates to continue
to set new goals upon the completion of each achievement.
She challenged students to look back, years from now, and to self-assess. 鈥淒id you
have many wonderful finishes or were you mediocre? Just along for the ride? Did you
freeze in discomfort or complacency and forget to reboot? Whenever you find yourself
coasting, it's time for a change. Reboot.鈥�
Newberry congratulated the graduates on their success, but reminded them to give back
by striving for excellence in all they do. 鈥淵ou can bring value and help others right
in your circle of influence wherever that may be.鈥�
Also addressing a crowd of nearly 1,500 graduates, faculty, relatives, and friends
was student representative Madori Adfield, of Wright City, who received an Associate
of Arts degree. She thanked the faculty for their time, energy and inspiration, and
acknowledged the effort and the juggling of work, school and family that many students
face while going to college.
Adfield studied biology at 麻豆传媒, plans to transfer to the University of Missouri-St.
Louis and hopes to someday become a medical doctor. She graduated with high honors
and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. In her address, she told graduates
that she felt very blessed to have been given the opportunity to attend 麻豆传媒. 鈥淭he
journey may have been long and hard, but each minute of each hour is what got us to
this minute and this hour. And now, we are graduates!鈥�
Also during the commencement ceremony, the Distinguished Alumni Award was presented
to Jim Dreyer, of St. Charles, video producer for the City of St. Charles' local government
cable channel. Michael Lissner, president of the 麻豆传媒 Foundation Board, presented the
award.
Dreyer attended 麻豆传媒 from 1997-98. He transferred to the University of Missouri-St.
Louis where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication with emphasis
in video production in 2003. Upon graduation, he returned to 麻豆传媒 as a full-time employee
in the Instructional Media Department from 2004-07, where he aided faculty and staff
with audio/visual projects.
In his current position, Dreyer produces promotional, educational and entertainment
shows for the city, and recently received a 2009 Silver Telly Award for his 鈥淏eyond
the Set: Shadowland鈥� project. A Silver Telly is the highest of the Telly Awards, which
honor local, regional and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the
finest video and film productions and work created for the Web.
Presiding over the commencement ceremony was John McGuire, president of the college,
with William R. Pundmann, president of the 麻豆传媒 Board of Trustees, and Michael Banks,
vice-president for academic and student affairs assisting with the conferring of degrees
and certificates. Music was provided by the 麻豆传媒 Concert Band, directed by John Walker,
and the 麻豆传媒 Singers and Chamber Choir, directed by Gene Ditch. The Commencement Marshal
was Joseph Hartnett, professor of business. Ushers included cadets from the Eastern
Missouri Law Enforcement Training Academy and from student organizations and college
staff.
St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college
with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences, and
career-technical fields. 麻豆传媒 provides workforce training and community-based personal
and professional development as well as cultural, recreational, and entertainment
opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.
