Mountain Gateway Community College hosted Commencement Exercises Friday night, May 12, on the MGCC Clifton Forge campus, with graduates receiving associate degrees and certificates, as well as a number of students being recognized for earning workforce credentials. MGCC President Dr. John Rainone presided, welcoming a standing-room only crowd of graduates, family members and friends.
“Do not mistake the hundreds of you wearing caps and gowns as a sign that graduating from college is easy, it’s not,” he said. “Enrolling in college takes courage. Finishing with a degree takes tenacity. Having done it, you join a minority that remains much too small in America today.”
“When I reflect on the enormous contributions you have made to our community,” Dr. Rainone continued. “ I am optimistic about the future of our College, the Commonwealth and our global community.”
This was the 56th graduation ceremony for the College, founded in 1962 as the Covington-Clifton Forge Branch of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and later renamed Dabney S. Lancaster Community College when it joined the newly formed Virginia Community College System. The College was renamed in July of 2022 and this was the first graduation ceremony as Mountain Gateway Community College.
Durham Baker of Buena Vista was recognized as the recipient of the 2023 Gary Lee Miller Outstanding Graduate Award. Baker, a 2021 Parry McCluer High School graduate, earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences in General Studies as well as the Uniform Certificate in General Studies.
While at MGCC, Baker made the Vice President’s list twice, and received the Christopher Baker Memorial Scholarship as well as the Bubbles, Bands and Brunch Scholarship for Continuing Students. As a first-year student, Baker was honored at the first recipient of the Tenacious Roadrunner Award, awarded to a student exhibiting outstanding and persistent effort in achieving academic success. Baker played for a season on the Roadrunner men’s basketball team and is an active member of the Lexington Church of Christ.
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Gary Lee Miller, a graduate of Covington High School, attended DSLCC before joining the Army and serving in Vietnam. He was mortally wounded after falling on a grenade to save his men. In addition to the Convocation Center on the Clifton Forge campus named him, Miller Hall stands at Fort Benning, GA, in his honor.
Dr. Devan Nicely, a Clifton Forge native who is Principal of Enderly Heights Elementary School in Buena Vista, was honored as the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award and served as guest speaker. Nicely, a US Army Veteran who completed tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, also has an impressive list of academic credentials, including masters degrees and a doctorate. In addition to earning an Associate Degree from MGCC, he is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and co-authored a fantasy novel.
“Do all the things, all of them, at least all you want to do, and at least half of what you’re scared to do,” he advised the graduates.
“Do not be afraid of hard work,” he continued. “Believe it or not, there is joy in it. There is nothing in life that is easy and worth it.”
Also, he said, “not all roads lead to where you think they do. My entire life, I can point to times when I thought terrible things were happening to me, only to lead to wonderful outcomes,” talking about a couple of incidents – a job promotion that didn’t happen, for example -- that turned out for the better. “Life has a way of working out, if you let it. In my experience God has never let me down.”
Rachel Reyns of Covington, a 2023 MGCC graduate who earned an Associate of Arts and Science Degree in General Studies, as well as a Certificate in General Education, served as Student Speaker. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in sociology at James Madison University.
Reyns recalled how she and her fellow students had to adapt to a virtual world of learning during the pandemic – using Zoom or fully remote methods. But that changed at the beginning of the fall 2022 semester.
“There was a boom of activity on our campus,” she said. “I remember hearing professors talk about how happy they were to see an active campus again. It was like everyone was coming out of a fog. There was more and more discussion, and this was exciting to witness. We began to venture out of our comfort zone, and re-engage in normal social patterns. By doing this, we were offered the chance to get to know our peers better. We were exposed to new adventures, ideas, and opportunities.”
“Mountain Gateway Community College has given all of us the ability to further our education in a wonderful learning environment,” she continued. “I know we have all learned so many important skills during our time here. Mountain Gateway is a beautiful, educational gem snuggled in the magnificent mountains that surround us. Not only do we have a beautiful campus, but we also have a beautiful faculty and staff. They have given us the resources to thrive, and have treated us like a big family. I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me on this journey in my life.”
Tammy Scruggs-Duncan welcomed the audience on behalf of the MGCC Local Board. Performing the National Anthem was Mahaley Reyns-Broughman, a 2016 MGCC graduate.
Dr. Rainone recognized Gary Keener, Vice President of Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education, and Karen Persinger, Associate Professor Nursing, who are both retiring from the College, after 44 years and more than 20 years of service, respectively.
In additional remarks, Dr. Rainone noted that the Class of 2023 included over 30 high school students earned a Career Studies Certificate or associate degree; over 300 workforce credential being awarded; 62 percent of the class receiving an associate degree; almost 40 percent started MGCC through high school dual enrollment; over 60 percent paying no tuition due to scholarships or other programs; over 90 percent applying for an receiving financial aid; over 80 percent already employed or transferring to a four-year institution.
Registration for fall semester at MGCC is underway. Call (540) 863-2820 for more information.