By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
May 13, 2013, 13:35
Richard Bland College recognized more than 200 students last week for completing degrees during the school’s 50th commencement ceremony.
Students, along with their families, friends, and fellow community members, came together at Statesman Hall to celebrate this momentous occasion of their lives.
Also in the crowd were a few alumni of the 1953 graduating class of Richard Bland, the very first graduating class at the school. The alumni sat alongside Hopewell Delegate Riley Ingram.
Keynote speaker Dr. Kyung Hee Kim, assistant professor William & Mary School of Education, spoke to the graduates before they crossed the stage, telling them to always keep pushing, and to never lose their passion and creativity.
“Have a big vision. You have to follow your passion and you have to be rebellious,” Kim said.
Kim spoke of her own path in life. Starting in Korea, where females are less educated, Kim began her journey by enrolling in high school, which most females were not allowed to do at the time. She left her home to move to the United States in order to keep pursuing her passions. Determined to reach her goals, Kim overcame many hardships to become the successful woman she is today. She urged the students to do the same.
“Find who you are and what you are interested in, what your strengths and talents are, and don’t be controlled by others,” Kim said.
At the end of the commencement ceremony was the college’s tradition of the passing of the mace. The mace symbolizes leadership and authority, and is carried in all academic processions at the college. Class of 2013 student representative Jessica Salazar presented the mace to the class of 2014 representative.
