SCC Graduates Encouraged to Strive for Excellence

Published: 05/21/2010

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. “Did 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.”

Newberry congratulated the graduates on their success, but reminded them to give back by striving for excellence in all they do. “You can bring value and help others right in your circle of influence wherever that may be.”
 
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 SCC, 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 SCC. “The 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!” 

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 SCC Foundation Board, presented the award.
 
Dreyer attended SCC 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 SCC 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 “Beyond the Set: Shadowland” 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 SCC 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 SCC Concert Band, directed by John Walker, and the SCC 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. SCC 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.