Commissioner Gurley Challenges Wake Tech Graduates to Pursue Lifelong Education

7/31/2006

Wake County Commissioners' Chair Tony Gurley provided the commencement address for Wake Technical Community College commencement exercises July 28, 2006. His remarks are listed here.

Good evening.

I want to extend greetings and best wishes to families, friends, faculty and staff, and congratulations to the graduates of Wake Technical Community College.

For the past four years, our Wake County Board of Commissioners has listened to the concerns of Wake County citizens and greatly increased County support of Wake Tech, including the new Northern campus. Our entire 7-member Board unanimously supports the mission and goals of Wake Tech. Basically, we have given Dr. Scott everything he has asked for. I suppose that’s how I earned the honor of speaking with you today.

And I do consider this a great honor, to have the opportunity to share some thoughts at this special time.

As I scan the faces in the crowd, I can imagine the wide variety of pathways that have led you here. Each of your stories is unique: some of you came here as high school graduates; others came seeking new careers – by choice, or perhaps out of necessity. Tonight is a celebration of your successful journeys down those many pathways.

You have reason to celebrate and to feel proud of your degree from Wake Technical Community College. You’re in good company. Wake Tech has been educating this community for almost 50 years, growing from 34 students in its first class to an enrollment of more than 52,000, and turning out a world-class workforce that is cutting edge – highly skilled, highly successful and in demand. Wake Tech graduates go on to pass their licensure and certification exams at a rate of 90% on the first attempt. Regarding job placement, over 99% of Wake Tech graduates are employed within a year of graduation! Your future is bright.

And the future of Wake County is bright because of you. Just last week, I was privileged to welcome a new company to Wake County. Novartis, a worldwide leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing, chose to locate a new vaccine-manufacturing facility in Wake County. Having considered 15 potential sites, their president said he chose Wake County because of the availability of an educated and capable bio-pharmaceutical workforce. Last year, Credit Suisse made an even larger investment in Wake County because of the availability of a superior technology workforce. Of course, the majority of jobs are produced by individuals who utilize their education to start their own business and take advantage of the economic freedoms in our great country. The freedom of choice that exists in our country and the opportunities we have for education are gifts that should never be taken for granted, but embraced when the time is right.

Embarking on this journey of change takes courage, determination and support. Let’s reflect on each of these qualities for a moment.

You have Courage –

You may have chosen to try something new. You may have gone against popular opinion or against the odds. You may have begun this journey without knowing what your future might hold. You may have begun while fearing failure. In any case, courage is what made it possible for you to take the first step. You will need to call on that courage again, now, for the next steps along the way.

You have Determination –

Along your pathway, circumstances or the rules of the game may have changed. Your resources may have shifted. Perhaps you made some choices that were not the best. However, you are here – you made it – because you are determined to succeed. Like so many of the students at Wake Tech, you charted a course that would take you to where you want to be, and you refused to let anything stand in your way. Now you will need even more determination, because the end of one journey is the beginning of another.

You have Support –

Look around you – you didn’t get here by yourselves. Your family, friends, teachers and mentors have been there for you all along the way, and they deserve to celebrate as well. Just as they have shared your challenges and frustrations, your moments of doubt, they share in your success.

And while we celebrate your success, this is also a good time to recognize that your education does not end today.

Lifelong education is the most amazing journey of all, and the greatest opportunity. My first degree was a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from UNC-Chapel Hill. I worked as a pharmacist for 20 years until my interests in law and politics led me to attend Law School at North Carolina Central University in 2000. I now practice law and own a pharmacy and I am prepared to take advantage of whatever opportunity may arise. For example, I saw an opportunity to run for political office during law school. I had a desire to serve and a belief that I could contribute to improve the quality of life for Wake County citizens. In spite of the fact that my opponent described me as “an unemployed student,” and despite the fact that I had attended only one county commission meeting in my life, I won the election. My education and experiences have helped me take advantage of this opportunity to realize my goal of public service.

Wake Tech has provided you with the opportunity to meet your goals and helped prepare you to make the most of it – to embrace the modern miracles of technology and keep pace with a world changing at light speed. Now it’s up to you – you are charged with the task of being a good steward of the knowledge and skills you have gained. What you do next, where you go, who goes with you – it all depends on you. Take your courage and determination, the strength of your support system, and the accomplishment this day represents and make them stepping-stones to your next great adventure. And remember to share the lessons you’ve learned: when you look back at the pathway that led you here, offer your experience as a guide for those who are just beginning on the amazing journey of lifelong education.

Thank you.

Congratulations, and best of luck to the class of 2006.

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