Roane State Community College

Roane State graduate Loretta Starnes of Sunbright, winner of the college’s 2012 President’s Award, presents a plaque to Roane State President Dr. Gary Goff.

Commencement ceremonies were held May 4-5 on the Roane County campus. Friends, family and Roane State faculty and staff celebrated the graduates’ accomplishments as they completed a significant step on the road of lifelong learning.

Graduate Loretta Starnes of Sunbright, winner of the college’s 2012 President’s Award, addressed her fellow students at both ceremonies. Starnes, 26, is married with two children and graduated with her Associate of Applied Science in Occupational Therapy Assistant.

“Through your hard work and determination, you find yourself here today at your college graduation surrounded by friends and family,” Starnes said. “We each have a story. They all have a beginning, middle and an end. It is up to you how your story is written. For most of us here today, our beginning has already been written. For some of us, the middle has already begun. But for all of us, the end remains to be seen. What choices will you make as your story continues to unfold?

“From high school dropout, to college graduate, and President’s Award winner and speaker, I am honored to stand before you today and say that I am forever changed, and that my journey here at Roane State Community College has greatly contributed to this process. I am a firm believer in if you dream it, with a little hard work and determination, you can accomplish it.”

The ceremonies were the last for Roane State President Dr. Gary Goff, who will retire in October. Starnes presented Dr. Goff with plaque and thanked him for his seven years as the college’s leader.

“It’s been an honor to work along side each and every one of you,” Dr. Goff said. “Thank you so much.”

Janice McKinley, Senior Vice President of Quality, Safety and Nursing Operations for Covenant Health, spoke at the Friday ceremony for recipients of the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) in nursing, recipients of A.A.S. degrees in allied health sciences, and for recipients of certificates in allied health sciences.

“Celebrate. Celebrate. Celebrate,” McKinley said. “Enjoy every moment. And after the celebration of this weekend is over, I hope you can reflect on your future, and you can make sure that you have meaning and purpose in your work. … You will make a difference.”

Sam Venable, humor columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel, shared words of encouragement at the Saturday commencement.

“This is a tremendous milestone that you have reached,” Venable said. “This is not the end. This is just another milestone on the path. One thing that you have gotten here at Roane State — in addition to your subject matter, your course work — you have learned very important parts about discipline, time management, putting your nose to the grindstone, and those are skills that you can transfer.”

Tom Griscom, board member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, also congratulated the graduates

“You will find that your decision to complete a college degree will add value to your life in the years ahead,” Griscom said.

Associate Professor of English Daniel Foltz-Gray received the 2012 Sarah Ellen Benroth Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Roane State is offering DVDs of graduation. Cost is $20, plus $5 for shipping and handling. You may order the recordings by completing the order form, by calling (865) 882-4556 or by emailing ctat@roanestate.edu.

Photographs will be available for purchase through GradImages. Graduates can view and order photos at gradimages.com.

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