Summer 2007 - Wayne County Community College

Special FeatureDreams Really Do Come TrueDiploma key to making dreams a reality for WCCCD grads!With 1,128 graduates dressed in the distinctive and colorful gowns appropriate for academic ceremonies, the WCCCD Commencement was the major downtownevent on Saturday, June 2, 2007. Dr. Allen Cushingberry, grand master, led the procession of candidates, professors, staff, and board members marched to themusic played by the Plymouth Community Band. The Chairperson of the StandingCommittee on Ceremonies and Rituals, Martha J. Grier called the ceremony to order.James Saad, served as the grand marshal. Following the national anthem, Pastor AdolphA. Wachsman, III from Genesis Lutheran Church gave the invocation. Charles Paddock,chairperson, WCCCD, Board of Trustees, District 8 greeted the graduating class and theirfamilies. The representative of the class of 2007, Francisco Juan Solano, also one of thespecial recognition students, gave inspiring remarks to fellow classmates. Dr. George SwanIII introduced the speaker, Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., pastor Olivet Institutional BaptistChurch in Cleveland, Ohio.Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. has consulted with presidents, been honored for his workin civil rights, and is recognized for his dedication to all humankind with accolades andachievements great in number superceding the barriers of color, race, and religion. Dr. Mosshas served in the inner circles of persons like Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr.Benjamin E. Mays. He was a student at Morehouse College receiving an undergraduatedegree and Master of Divinity through the School of Religion and Inter-DenominationalTheological Center. He was awarded a Doctorate Of Ministry in 1990.Following Dr. Debraha Watson’s presentation of the candidate’s degrees and certificates, Dr.Curtis L. Ivery, chancellor, praised the outstanding class for their dedication and efforts tofulfill lifelong dreams and aspirations.Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.GraduatesTrustee, Elizabeth PotterFaculty and StaffGraduatesFaculty and StaffAround The DistrictTeaching and LeadershipExcellence AwardAt the the 2007 National Institute for Staff andOrganizational Development (NISOD) Conference,District faculty were awarded the Teaching andLeadership Excellence Award. The awardees are asfollows - Dr. Ella Davis, English; Dr. Wallace Peace,History; Mr. Norman Samuelson, Chemistry; Mr. GaryCiampa, Business and Ms. Shiree Kennedy, Nursing.Along with congratulating faculty, the conferencefocused workshops in the areas of teachingand learning, leadership development, careerdevelopment, and team development. The great workof WCCCD faculty continues to be recognized aroundthe country.Jocelyn Brown elected as the RegionalPresident of Michigan’s Phi Theta KappaInternational Honor SocietyCongratulations to Jocelyn Brown, WCCCD student and president of WCCCD’s chapter of Phi ThetaKappa (PTK) Honor Society. Ms. Brown, along with several members of the WCCCD chapter, attendedthe regional conference in Port Huron where she was elected as the Regional President of Michigan’sPhi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. This honor is a first for WCCCD and is indicative ofthe leadership demonstrated by the WCCCD chapter. Ms. Brown will be responsible for planningthe annual PTK Leadership Conference, the annual Regional Conference, and other events hostedby the state PTK association. In addition to her new position, Ms. Brown also received PTK’s MikeSherman Award given to a regional officer who represents a true leadership spirit; this award isvoted on by the entire membership of PTK. Ms. Brown’s leadership will serve as a model to the otherPTK students who were inducted into the WCCCD chapter last week.12 District Dimensions Summer 2007