Southwest
Virginia Community College graduates heard a message of solidarity from Dr. J.
Mark Estepp, the SwVCC president. Estepp outlined several ways in which he and
the graduates are alike. “I feel particularly linked to this class,” he said.
Explaining that although he had sat, slept, and at times, enjoyed dozens of
graduation speeches, this was the first commencement speech he had given as a
community college president. “I came a bit early in the planning cycle and
realized that this would be an excellent opportunity for me to speak to the
graduating class of summer 2007.”
Estepp jokingly quoted Gary Trudeau, the famous columnist and creator of
Doonesbury, "commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that
outgoing college students should never be released into the world until they
have been properly sedated." He also informed the graduates that the word
“commencement” was appropriate as it meant that they were at the crux of
commencing a lifelong journey.
One place on that journey is Southwest Virginia Community College. “One more
thing that you and I have in common is that we all love this place. “ He said
referring to SwVCC. “Although Trish (his wife) and I have lived here 30 days,
we’ve passed through this area many times and we love this place.”
He encouraged graduates to come back to Southwest “Come see an old friend, come
see an old teacher. . .In other words, don’t be a stranger.”
One hundred and fifty-two Southwest Virginia Community College students were
candidates for summer 2007 graduation.
Dr. J. Mark Estepp began serving at Southwest on July 2nd of this year. The
Matewan, West Virginia, native was previously dean of the college of fine and
applied arts at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. While at
Appalachian State he held several other positions including professor in the
Department of Technology. He has a Ph.D. in practical arts and vocational
technical education from the University of Missouri, a master’s in industrial
arts education from Murray State University and a bachelor’s degree from Berea
College in Kentucky. He is married to wife Trish, a native of Hazard, Kentucky,
and they have two daughters, Addie and Marcie.
Wayne Bostic, chair of the SwVCC Local Board, welcomed the graduates and their
families to the ceremony. Mark R. Graham, chair of the State Board for Community
Colleges, also welcomed the audience. Dr. Robert Tomlinson, vice president of
instruction, introduced the speaker. Dr. Mike Henry gave the Invocation and
Benediction and Greg Hankins, on piano, played the processional and recessional.
Assisting with conferring degrees was Rod Moore, associate vice president of
student development services; Dr. Richard Hudson, vice president of financial
and administrative services; and Phyllis Roberts, vice president of institutional
advancement.