The power of knowledge alone will not lead to success, Dr. Wilsie Bishop, CEO and vice president for Health Affairs at ETSU, told a record 268 students in the 2007 graduation class of the Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton.
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Speaking to a capacity crowd in Seeger Chapel on the campus of Milligan College on Aug. 16, Bishop said knowledge, coupled with the key attributes of trustworthiness, consistency, commitment and creativity, were needed for individual success.
"Appreciate and continue to develop knowledge and skills, using the keys to success," Bishop told the 1,000-plus attending the graduation ceremony inside air-conditioned Seeger Chapel, while temperatures outside hovered around 97 degrees in one of the hottest days on record.
One honors graduate, Marina True, a native of Russia who lived near Finland in the Artic Circle, said she is still trying to adjust to the sizzling heat here. Back home, she said temperatures average 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
Ms. True was one of 131 graduates in the one-year Practical Nursing program at TTC-Elizabethton. "I hope to obtain my RN degree either at King College or ETSU," True said. She became the first Russian native to graduate from TTC-Elizabethton.
Another student, Jeannie Snyder, an employee of Good Samaritan Home in Evansville, Ind., made a two-day trip by car from Evansville to Elizabethton to attend the graduation ceremony. Ms. Snyder was among 39 students from 35 cities in 13 states to graduate from the eight-month online Dietary Manager training program. "I want to become a Certified Dietary Manager," Ms. Snyder said.
Daniel Letchoe of Kingsport, who is deaf, received two diplomas after completing Welding and Diesel Powered Equipment Technology training programs. A translator accompanied him to class each day. Letchoe, one of 17 students to graduate from the Welding training program, said he looks forward to entering the workforce and becoming a productive employee.
There were 29 graduates in Business Systems Technology, 20 in Electricity/Electronics, eleven in Computer Operations Technology, nine in HVAC/Refrigeration, six in Automotive Technology, four in Millwright Skiills and two in Diesel Powered Equipment Technology.
New student registration for the fall trimester at TTC-Elizabethton will be held Sept. 4. For additional information, call 423-543-0070
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