FALL 2019 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 | 8:30 A.M. AND 11:00 A.M. SCOTT NORTHERN WAKE CAMPUS, BUILDING K 6600 LOUISBURG RD, RALEIGH, NC C OMMUNITY COLLEGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dr. Scott Ralls President Congratulations! It is an honor and a privilege to be part of Wake Tech’s Fall 2019 Commencement Exercises – your graduation. This special day is one that I know you will look back on proudly for years to come. The milestone we celebrate today is a very important one, and I commend you on your achievement. As your president, I am well aware of the hard work and perseverance that have made it possible. I see that firsthand, every day, and it never fails to inspire me. Today, a new journey begins. You can go forward confidently, knowing you are well prepared for all that the future holds. On behalf of the Wake Tech family, congratulations! We wish you great success and fulfillment. Dr. Scott Ralls THE WAKE TECH MACE A mace, once a type of club used in combat, has become a ceremonial staff and a symbol of order and command used by governmental, religious, and higher educational institutions throughout the world. When used in college and university ceremonies, the mace represents the authority and independence of the institution and its faculty. The Wake Tech mace, created by Lawrence Wiedel, was officially presented in 2013 to commemorate the college’s 50th anniversary, by the Beta Alpha Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. The mace is made from a variety of hardwoods to symbolize Wake Tech’s cultural diversity. The handle is made of burl walnut; the top, made of African zebrawood, bears the Wake Tech seal on one side and the Eagle mascot on the other. Supporting the seal is a brass ring engraved with Wake Tech’s core values: accountability, respect, responsibility, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. SPECIAL HONORS American Institute of Architecture: Light blue cords Phi Theta Kappa (PTK): Gold stoles and tassels Students who have been inducted into the Phi Theta Honors Program: Navy and gold cords Kappa academic honor society Students who have been accepted into the Wake Tech Honors Program and earned Honors credit Service Learning Program: Green cords in specific courses Students who have earned Wake Tech Service Learning credit in 3 or more courses National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi): Black and silver cords Sigma Delta Mu, Spanish Honor Society: Students who have been inducted into the National Red and gold cords Society of Leadership and Success Student Ambassadors: Purple cords National Technical Honor Society: Purple and silver cords Students who have been inducted into the National Student Government Officers: Red cords Technical Honor Society Veterans: Red, white, and blue cords Yellow stoles Phi Beta Lambda: Navy and white cords Students who have participated in Phi Beta Lambda, an WTCC Orientation Leaders: organization preparing students for business-related careers FACULTY DISTINCTIONS Assistant Professors Associate Professors Professors Senior Professors White cords Blue cords Silver cords Gold cords Please turn off cell phones and silence other electronic devices during the ceremony. Degrees and diplomas for students graduating in the spring semester will be available for pick up beginning February 17, 2020. For more information visit graduation.waketech.edu Individual photographs will be taken of graduates as they receive degrees and diplomas. These photographs will be available for purchase by mail. WAKE TECH BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. Thomas F. Looney Mrs. Doris D. Huebner Mr. Richard J. Boyd Ms. Linda D. Coleman Ms. Esther H. Delaney Chair, Cary, NC Vice Chair Tanjo, Inc. Knightdale, NC MetLife McDonalds Franchise CEO Assistant Vice Owner President Mrs. Kellie J. Falk Jeanene R. Martin Ms. Sheila H. Ogle Mr. Edward D. Paradise Mr. J. Anthony Drucker & Falk, LLC WakeMed Health Ogle Enterprises, LLC Cisco “Andy” Penry Partner and Managing and Hospitals Vice President, Penry Riemann, PLLC Director Senior Vice President/ Government Solutions Lawyer HR & Chief People Group Officer Mr. Chad E.Price Ms. Jamie M. Thomas Dr. Scott Ralls Mr. Jose V. Fabre, Jr. MAKO Medical IBM Secretary to the Board Wake Technical Laboratories General Manager, Wake Technical Community College President Strategy & Community College, SGA President Development President 2019-2020 SGA PRESIDENT-2019-2020 MR. JOSE V. FABRE, JR. Hey everyone! My name is Jose Fabre Jr. I am honored to serve as the SGA President for 2019-2020. I was born in the Bronx, NY, and raised in “Quisqueya la Bella”, Dominican Republic. I moved to Perth Amboy, NJ, at the age of 9. After I graduated from high school in 2015, I moved to Raleigh, N.C. I’m currently working towards two degrees: an Associate in Engineering and, an Associate in Science. Wake Tech has been a blessing to me because there are so many resources available, like Success Coaches, Individualized Learning Center, SPEAK Center, STEM Center, and more. I decided to become involved in the Student Government Association because I want to reach Wake Tech students by making our campus activities both fun and informative, achieving spectacular learning outcomes. Life is challenging, but I know I can do all things through him who strengthens me. STUDENT SPEAKER 8:30 A.M. KAITLYN WALKER Kaitlyn Walker is graduating with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. While working full time on the pastry team at Vidrio, a Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Raleigh, Kaitlyn maintained a 3.95 GPA and spearheaded a mentorship program with incoming baking students. She has won gold and bronze medals from the American Culinary Federation and thoroughly loves to push her own limits as a baker. Upon graduating, Kaitlyn hopes to start her own business and begin to follow whatever grand adventures await her in the baking world. She would like so say a special thank you to her family, “I got the degree for real this time!” STUDENT SPEAKER 11:00 A.M. JESSICA MCGEE Jessica McGee is currently applying to multiple colleges to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work beginning in the fall of 2020, with plans to continue her studies to pursue a Master’s degree. Jessica developed a love for psychology and helping other people during her teenage years, and she believes gaining a degree in Social Work will allow her to fulfill her dreams. After attending Brassfield Elementary and Westminster Elementary school, she began homeschooling in the third grade and continued throughout high school. She entered Wake Tech Community College as a Career and College Promise student. Jessica is very happy to complete her Associates in Arts degree at an institution that offers such a quality education and fulfilling experiences. PROGRAM | 8:30 A.M. CEREMONY Interpreters Mace Bearer Readers Decie Shumate Eric Stopka Sara Rutzy Jenny Banner Jeff Myers Shannon Yessick BUSINESS AND PUBLIC SERVICES INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, TECHNOLOGIES AND ENGINEERING Presentation of Faculty, Candidates, and Platform Party ............................................................................ Sandra L. Dietrich Vice President, Curriculum Education Services Processional and Presentation of Mace ............................................................................................ “Pomp & Circumstance” by Elgar Presentation of Colors ............................................................................................. Wake Tech Campus Police Honor Guard (Audience please stand.) National Anthem .............................................................................................................................Performed by Jenna Isley Greetings .......................................................................................................................................................Jose V. Fabre, Jr. President, Student Government Association Remarks .......................................................................................................................................................Thomas F. Looney Chair, Wake Tech Board of Trustees Introduction of Speaker .............................................................................................................................. Thomas F. Looney Student Speaker ................................................................................................................................................Kaitlyn Walker Presiding .............................................................................................................................................................Dr. Scott Ralls President, Wake Technical Community College Introduction of Academic Deans .................................................................................................................Sandra L. Dietrich Presentation of Candidates for Diplomas and Degrees Business and Public Services Technologies .................................................................................... Dr. Catherine Lassiter Information Technology ................................................................................................................... Dr. Keith Babuszczak Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering .................................................................................................. Sharon Welker Conferring of Diplomas and Degrees ...............................................................................................................Dr.