Randolph Community College Graduates Triumph Over Obstacles

ASHEBORO (May 12, 2007)

Of the 671 Randolph Community College students who earned degrees, diplomas and certificates in 2007, you’ll find hundreds and hundreds of individual stories of struggle, perseverance and triumph. One thing that they all have in common after the graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 12, is the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing one important goal in life.

Tammy and Robin Rogers of Randleman know that joy of achieving a goal — twofold. The mother and daughter both graduated with associate in arts degrees on Saturday. Tammy, who decided to go to college after her kids were grown and “I finally had time,” said she plans to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and study business. Robin is the youngest of her three daughters with husband, Scott, who is an auditor for the federal government. Robin plans to transfer to Appalachian State University and major in elementary education.



Tammy said graduating from RCC at the same time as her daughter “just happened” — she had been taking classes for awhile before Robin started college. “This last semester, three of our classes were together,” said Tammy. “She (Robin) planned that, so we could have some time together before she went to Appalachian.” Tammy, who helped Robin adjust her cap and tassel before the ceremony at Asheboro High School Saturday, is understandably proud of her daughter and herself. “We both had straight A’s this last semester,” she noted. Both worked while in school, Tammy full time for Wal-Mart and Robin at the BP station in Level Cross.

Fifty-four-year-old Jutta Watkins, a native of Germany who came to the United States when she was 21, received her associate degree in accounting during Saturday’s ceremony. She will continue to attend RCC to earn a second degree in Business Administration. She spent 22 years in Florida and came to the Asheboro area in 1992 and worked for Sew Special. When that plant closed, she went to work for another textile plant, which also went out of business. “I was tired of shutting those plants down,” Jutta says only half jokingly, “so I went back to school.” Jutta’s son, Jeffrey, is in first year of the College Transfer program at RCC and plans to become a medical examiner. Jutta thinks its funny that Jeffrey sometimes pretends not to know her on campus.

Crystal Kingrey of Asheboro finished the requirement for her associate in arts degree in December, but walked during Saturday’s graduation. She has transferred to Pfeiffer University’s adult studies program. Crystal credits the distance education program for helping her get her degree. “I was a single mother for the first half of my degree at RCC,” said Crystal, “then Dylan’s father moved here, but it was still quite a struggle to take care of a family, work and complete my degree.” Crystal worked most of the day and completed her classes online at night after putting her 3-year-old son to bed. She is now working full-time at RCC as virtual campus assistant, while continuing her studies at Pfeiffer.

Sometimes the sense of accomplishment belongs to not just the graduate, but those who have helped students along the way. Grey Sanders, English instruction and program coordinator for humanities and fine arts, tells the story of a reserved quiet boy, Josh Brown, who walked into his English 111 class in fall 2004. “He was a good writer, but he barely spoke to anyone and never participated in class discussion. At the end of the semester, he was so afraid to get in front of the class that he chose not to do his oral presentation.”

Sanders tells of Josh’s transition over the next few years, beginning to feel more at ease and speaking in front of classes with less trepidation. “This spring, he signed up for my English 113 course, which requires you to get in a group and act out a play on stage. It also requires a 10 minute presentation. As soon as he walked in the class, I knew he was no longer that insecure boy. He carried himself with confidence and held his head high.” Sanders said Josh not only acted in the play, but wrote and directed it too.

In January, when Josh asked Sanders to write a letter of recommendation for his application to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Sanders said “he seemed doubtful as to whether he would be accepted, but he was hopeful. A week ago, I was sitting in my office and he knocked on the door. With a sheepish grin on his face, he handed me a piece of paper: his letter of admittance to UNC-Chapel Hill….He will represent RCC, and even more importantly, himself spectacularly….For as long as I live, I will never forget the look of pride on Josh Brown’s face when he showed me that letter. I will carry that memory with me always.”