Virginia Wesleyan president will be keynote for TCC’s 69th Commencement Exercises on Dec. 16

Virginia Wesleyan University President Scott Miller will deliver the keynote address for Tidewater Community College’s 69th Commencement Exercises on Monday, Dec. 16, at Chartway Arena in the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

Commencement, which begins at 6 p.m., will be streamed live at tcc.edu/commencement.

Nearly 900 students will graduate from the college with either certificates or associate degrees.

President of Virginia Wesleyan since 2015, Miller has been recognized as a transformative leader among his peers. Inside Business recently included him on its Power List, which celebrates the most influential leaders in shaping Hampton Roads.

Miller oversaw Virginia Wesleyan’s transition to university status and continues to strengthen its identity among national liberal arts institutions. Last February, he joined TCC interim President Gregory DeCinque in signing the Fair Transfer Guarantee Agreement, which ensures a seamless path for those graduating from TCC and moving to Virginia Wesleyan to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Miller holds a doctorate in higher education administration from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati and an education specialist degree from Vanderbilt University. He earned a master’s from the University of Dayton and a bachelor’s from West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Lauren Lewis, 18, will be the speaker for the graduates. Lewis, who graduated from Churchland High School at 16, will be awarded her Associate of Science in Social Sciences at the ceremony. She plans to transfer to Norfolk State University’s nursing program in the spring.

Foodbank CEO will be keynote for TCC’s 68th commencement on May 13

Ruth Jones Nichols, chief executive officer of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, will be the keynote speaker for Tidewater Community College’s 68th Commencement Exercises on Monday, May 13, at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

Commencement, which begins at 6 p.m., will be streamed live at tcc.edu/commencement.

Jones Nichols is a previous recipient of TCC’s Martin Luther King Jr. Community Distinguished Service Award. She became CEO of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore in 2016. Previously, the Hampton Roads native served as executive director of the YWCA South Hampton Roads. She holds a Ph.D. in social work from the Catholic University of America, a master’s in social work from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s in sociology from the College of William & Mary.

Ruth Jones Nichols will be the keynote speaker for TCC’s 68th Commencement Exercises.

More than 1,300 students will graduate, including five from TCC’s inaugural class of STEM Promise Program scholars. Recipients of the Women’s Center STEM Promise Program scholarship pay no tuition or fees to complete their associate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related disciplines. All will transfer to four-year universities with junior class standing.

Thanks to expanded partnership programs with Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) and Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS), TCC will graduate its largest class ever of dual enrollment students from both cities.

Fifteen of those graduates earned career studies certificates in mechatronics. These students were enrolled in a special career pathway that included taking selected classes in their high schools for the first two years, to work toward a recognized industry credential and in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing.

If they choose to continue their education at TCC, they will be able to achieve associate degrees in mechatronics in just one year.

Fourteen CPS students will graduate with career studies certificates in electrical wiring for technicians; 13 additional will receive career studies certificates in welding; and seven more have earned career studies certificates in pharmacy technician.

Six Portsmouth Campus students will graduate with the Governor’s Medallion, awarded to high school students who complete associate degrees while still in high school. All six will receive associate degrees in social sciences and enter four-year colleges as juniors.

In addition, two students from PPS will graduate with career studies certificates in maritime welding.

The student speaker is Charleston Yancey, who is graduating with his Associate of Science in Social Sciences. The Norfolk native, one of nine students from the college nominated to the Phi Theta Kappa 2019 All-Virginia Academic Team, will transfer to Virginia Wesleyan University this fall to work toward a bachelor’s in psychology.

Chesapeake Public Schools superintendent talks about purpose and passion at TCC’s 67th commencement

The newest Tidewater Community College graduates received warm congratulations and prudent advice from one of their own at the college’s 67^th Commencement Exercises on Monday evening at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

Keynote speaker Jared Cotton, who became superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools over the summer, graduated from TCC in 1990 before going on to earn a master’s and doctorate from George Washington University.

“I was sitting where you sit today,” he told the class of 2018. “If there was a slogan for me regarding Tidewater Community College, it would be, ‘From here, find your purpose.’ ”

Encouraged by his mother and sister, both TCC alumni, the Great Bridge High School graduate attended the college with a plan to be a pharmacist. His time at TCC shaped a different future. While taking classes, he worked at the Pines Treatment Center, a rehabilitation home for troubled teens, as a substitute teacher. As a student teacher, he flourished and realized his passion was education.

“That’s where I found my purpose,” said Cotton, who also holds a bachelor’s from Old Dominion University.

Cotton highlighted the stories of previous TCC graduates who credit the college with helping them find their direction, including Shorntail Goodrich, working at the Norfolk Community Services Board; Michelle Wharton, a licensed geologist at one of the nation’s premier environmental planning and consulting firms; and Patrina Felts, graduating Monday with an Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service. Felts recently started her career as a funeral director at Metropolitan Funeral Service in Norfolk.

“Today I hope you leave finding your purpose,” Cotton said.

Paul Cage spoke on behalf of the students, many of them military veterans like himself. Cage spent 21 years in the Navy and came to TCC to retrain for a new career He earned his Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design and a Certificate in Associate Designer; he previously was awarded a Career Studies Certificate in Truck Driving.

“Remember in the face of adversity, turn it into fuel to motivate you to come up with great ideas – become the best person you can be,”said Cage, planning to open his own business. “Our commencement marks the beginning of our new lives personally and professionally.”

Cage graduated with his wife, Sherrilyn Olds-Cage, who received her Associate of Science in Social Sciences. She is currently a student at Old Dominion.

President DeCinque presented a posthumous degree to the family of Belinda Drew. Drew was two classes shy of earning her Associate of Science in Social Sciences, when she died unexpectedly in July. Her sons Gevasico Gaskins and Wayne Vanderpool Jr., along with numerous family members were in attendance.

Nearly 2,000 comprise the newest class of TCC graduates, who join a network of more than 100,000 alumni. The college is also celebrating its 50^th anniversary.

Gevasico Gaskins, President DeCinque, Wayne Vanderpool Jr., and Emanuel Chestnut, interim provost of the Norfolk Campus, honor Belinda Drew with a posthumous degree.

Laid off after two decades, first-generation graduate finds a career and a future at TCC

Linda Stokes has a message for students learning remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Online learning may be the new norm, but don’t be discouraged or afraid of it. Even in my 60s, I’ve been online for my entire degree, and it was a great education.”

Stokes graduated from Tidewater Community College in May with an associate degree in Administrative Support Technology.

She came to TCC after being laid off from a job she held for more than two decades.

The Norfolk native graduated from Booker T. Washington High with a diploma that included a specialization in basic business skills.

“I knew my parents couldn’t afford college, so I took that diploma and went to work,” she said. “I looked at education as a steppingstone to employment, so when I got that first job, I never looked back.”

In 2012, Stokes’ organization downsized, leaving her without a job.

“I was applying everywhere and getting no interest,” she said. “I didn’t look qualified even with my experience,” Stokes said. “With my TCC degree, I’m on equal footing with anyone coming out of college.”

Stokes chose TCC because she wanted to get a degree quickly. The Administrative Support Technology program offers a solid foundation in basic administrative skills with advanced training to prepare students for high-tech offices.

“At 62, I needed to find a way to keep going and support myself,” Stokes said. “And the two-year degree sounded better to me.”

Stokes found support through the Open Door Project (ODP), a federally funded program that provides resources for first-generation college students.

“The people of TCC, no matter where you go from the testing center to financial aid to student services, they are pulling for you and encouraging you,” she said.

From the start, Stokes connected with Kay Williams, the ODP director at the Norfolk Campus, who became a mentor and friend.

“Ms. Kay helped guide me and when I was struggling with math; she provided a tutor,” Stokes said. “All along the way, she celebrated my successes.”

Stokes also credits her favorite professor, Peggy Scott, with helping her on the journey. “She was always reaching out to see if I needed help and was there providing positive feedback,” Stokes said.

Scott helped Stokes update a resume that helped her land her current job with Norfolk Public Schools as an in-school suspension supervisor.

Stokes graduated with a 3.7 GPA and is proud of her membership in Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools. She plans to pursue her bachelor’s in general education.

“It wasn’t a must to go to college in my day, and some people still think they don’t need to go,” she said. “But I’m here to say that you do. It’s higher education, and it makes you more employable and professional.”

Stokes added, “I’ve met so many people who start in college and then drop out because of their social lives. I encourage everyone to make it their goal to finish what you start.”