On Friday, June 17, friends and family members gathered to watch their loved ones process into the auditorium of George Washington High School in celebration of their graduation from American National University’s $$Danville, Virginia Campus. Thirty graduates in the Class of 2016 accepted their degrees at the commencement ceremony, with several of them being additionally recognized with awards for exceptional leadership and academic achievements.
Brigadier General Doyle Broome, Jr. (U.S. Army, Ret.), president of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., served as the commencement speaker. In his address to the graduates, Mr. Broome urged them to use their success to give back to others in their community.—
“Someone encouraged, directed, coached you to ‘go back to school.’ There are young people today who are watching you. Someone has taken note of what you have done and what you have accomplished. Do not waste this opportunity,” he encouraged. “You need to be a mentor… you need to be the example for them to emulate."
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Mr. Broome further advised the graduates to take advantage of every opportunity to keep learning and growing. “Continue to progress in your education. Education is a journey, not an end-state,” he said. “Read daily about your profession. Read daily about your community, about your nation, and about your world.”
Honors graduate Ellen Cabiness, who received her Bachelor of Science degree in health care management, enjoyed the commencement ceremony and took the opportunity to reflect on the speaker’s remarks. “Graduation is not the end but the beginning of a brighter future,” she stated.
[img]Nicole Messina, also an honors graduate of the health care management bachelor’s degree program, as well as one of the award recipients for high academic achievement in a bachelor’s degree program, was equally encouraged by the ceremony. “Graduation was great! Even though it was a small graduating class, the recognition for our accomplishments was much appreciated,” she stated. “It was really nice to share the experience with my family and friends who have supported me throughout this journey.”
Other award recipients of the evening included: Angela Burnham, Randi Lee, Christi Mayo, Laura Holley, Tommy Mease, Mac Napper, and Staci Barker.
Photo A- (left to right) Ashlee Nelson, Michie Edens, and Randi Lee all graduated from the surgical technology associate’s degree program at the ANU Danville Campus.
Photo B- Graduate Nicole Messina (right) accepts an award for high academic achievement from instructor and business department chairperson Byron Rawlinson.
