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Leadership is the key to the future for BPC graduates

Taylor Hereford
BPC Director of Marketing

Members of the Class of 2006 enter Gillis Gymnasium to take part in the Spring Commencement last Saturday, May 13 in the Gillis Gymnasium on Brewton-Parker's main campus.

Members of the Class of 2006 were urged to set aside the thoughts of friends and the expectations of parents and look at the next chapter of their lives in the most terrifying of ways: as a blank canvas. And as they begin to color that canvas with certain leadership qualities, the possibilities for success are endless.

Approximately 2,400 family and friends fill Gillis Gymnasium in support of the 114 members of the Class of 2006 during the Spring Commencement last Saturday, May 13 in the Gillis Gymnasium on Brewton-Parker's main campus.

That was the message given to the 114 graduates and approximately 2,400 family and friends in attendance for the traditional Commencement exercises Saturday morning in the Gillis Gymnasium on the main campus of Brewton-Parker College.

Dr. David Smith, president of Brewton-Parker College, introduces Rep. Terry Coleman, Speaker Emeritus of the Georgia House of Representatives, as the keynote speaker of the Spring Commencement held last Saturday, May 13 in the Gillis Gymnasium on Brewton-Parker's main campus.

“Today is a celebration of a great accomplishment,” said Rep. Terry Coleman, Speaker Emeritus of the Georgia House of Representatives, who gave the keynote address at Saturday morning’s ceremony. “Not only is this a major milestone for you, but for your parents as well.”

Reflecting upon his early years in school, Rep. Coleman considered himself not to be the best of students. However, he told the graduates that some of the greatest leaders may not have been some of the best students. It all depends on how a person views the future and what success means to them.

“It’s never too early to be what you might have been,” said Rep. Coleman.

Rep. Terry Coleman, Speaker Emeritus of the Georgia House of Representatives, delivers the keynote address during the Spring Commencement last Saturday, May 13 in the Gillis Gymnasium on Brewton-Parker's main campus.

According to Rep. Coleman, one of the most important ingredients in a successful life is leadership. And the only place where leadership is born is within the heart of the individual.

“You now take the reins as the CEO of your life,” Rep. Coleman told the graduates. “You are in control.”

He gave the graduates five essential leadership qualities that every successful person possesses: the presence of character, knowing how to build relationships, being passionate and persistent, having self-discipline, and taking responsibility.

Alison A. Ostrander (left) receives her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from her father Dr. Hal Ostrander (center), Chair of the Religion and Philosophy Division at Brewton-Parker, as Dr. David Smith (right), president of Brewton-Parker, looks on during the Spring Commencement last Saturday, May 13 in the Gillis Gymnasium on Brewton-Parker's main campus.

As he reflected on these five qualities of a leader, Rep. Coleman urged the graduates to think about their own definition of success and how leadership can play a part in shaping that definition.

“Success is first knowing what you want,” said Rep. Coleman. “If you are willing to accept the challenge of exhibiting leadership in your life, the potential for success is even greater.”

Members of the Class of 2006 await the completion of the processional during the Spring Commencement last Saturday, May 13 in the Gillis Gymnasium on Brewton-Parker's main campus.

Rep. Coleman has recently joined the BPC family as Special Assistant to the President for External Services. At the conclusion of his address, Rep. Coleman expressed his joy and gratitude to Dr. David Smith, president of Brewton-Parker, for the opportunity to serve the college in this new position.

-BPC-