Published: May 09, 2008 10:55 pm         

Overflowing crowd celebrates New River CTC graduation

As Beckley resident Amanda Mullens walked across the stage, her 3-year-old son Chase cheered her on.

“See Mommy on the steps? Look at her shaking that man’s hand,” said Chase’s father and Mullens’ ex-husband, Bobby Griffith of Mullens.

“It’s exciting to know she’s done this. She’s wanted to go back to school for a very long time.”

Now, Griffith said, he hopes Chase seeing his mother receive a college degree will show the youngster any dream is within reach.

An overflow crowd cheered on graduates of New River Community and Technical College Friday night at the Tamarack Conference Center. Supporters of this year’s 230 graduates filled every seat — often while holding young children in their laps — and even lined the walls.

College President Ted Spring said about 100 graduates participated in New River’s fifth commencement and an average of 10 guests came with each graduate. Some graduates brought as many as 15 guests, by themselves.

“This is what we’re all about,” he said. “This has been a two-way street. We have enjoyed having them as much as they have enjoyed being with us. We have all learned and grew from the experience. And those who are here tonight (as supporters), whether it be someone’s child, husband or wife, we are thrilled to have them, too.”

During the ceremony, Spring asked graduates’ spouses, significant others, parents, grandparents and children to stand. Then he asked friends and other supporters to stand.

“Because of you, everything has been possible,” he said. “We appreciate what this means — support they could count on. Without your support, they could not be here this evening.”

Noting enrollment has increased 34 percent, Spring believes New River’s graduation ceremony may need a larger venue next year.

State Education and Arts Secretary Kay Goodwin addressed the crowd and was thrilled that so many supporters came for the graduates and were able to come, noting larger schools limit graduates to four guests.

Goodwin was especially pleased to see several graduates were older students, who often had to hold down full-time jobs and raise families while working on their degrees.

“I love it,” she said. “This is their gateway to increase their quality of life. I believe they have already realized that because they have put forth the effort that it takes. It’s not easy.”

The supporters, Goodwin said, probably viewed their graduates like writer Erma Bombeck viewed kites. The supporters spend a virtual lifetime trying to get their “kites” off the ground, often seeing them crash a few times. But the kites eventually lift into the wind, and those flying them release more and more string. With each twist of that twine, there is a bit of sadness along with the joy. Eventually, the kite has to be let go.

Her life experience, she believed, allowed her to give graduates advice.

“I’m at the point where a broad mind and a narrow waist change places,” she said as several in the crowd laughed. “A career is only a part of life — not a whole. You need to be educated, not just trained. As Alan Alda said, the world runs as smoothly as square wheels.

“Neither a borrower or a lender be, without checking the prime rate. All I can be sure of is that the world out there will not be anything like you thought it would be. But I hope you are primed to soar, like that proverbial kite.”

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