Staples to address TVCC graduates

May 09, 2008 09:55 am

— When the graduates at Trinity Valley Community College march across the stage Friday, they will be joined by one of their predecessors.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, a TVCC alumnus, will take the stage during two of this week’s three graduation ceremonies as the guest speaker.
Staples — who attended TVCC and Texas A&M University — is in his first term as agriculture commissioner. Prior to taking that office, the Palestine native served three terms as a state representative and then as a state senator from 2000 until 2006.
Friday’s first graduation ceremony is for nursing students only and will begin at 4:30 p.m. A ceremony for students graduating with their associate of applied science degree and those who have earned certificates will be at 6:30 p.m.
The last ceremony is for students earning their associate of arts degrees and will begin at 8:30 p.m.
Staples will speak at the 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. ceremonies. All ceremonies will take place at Cardinal Gym.
The addition of a guest speaker will not be the only change to the graduation ceremonies, said Forgey.
The ceremonies will include a performance of the TVCC Alma Mater song and college fight song.
“Including these songs in the ceremony further promotes the pride and heritage of TVCC,” college President Dr. Glendon Forgey said.
In addition to the ceremonies, a reception for all graduates and their families will take place continuously starting around 5 p.m. The reception will be held in the cafeteria.