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Germanna graduates are a determined lot

May 13, 2010 12:36 am

By PAMELA GOULD

James Richardson is a second-generation Germanna Community College graduate who said his father's words inspired him to complete his degree despite self-doubt and challenges.

"My father always told me, 'James, you have to do the hard thing,'" Richardson said last night before a crowd of about 2,500 at the Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center.

Richardson, a 20-year-old Falmouth resident, was the community college's student speaker at last night's commencement ceremony. He spoke of the determination, sacrifice and belief in self that were needed to meet the requirements for his associate degree.

He spoke not only of his own struggles but also those of classmates who worked full time and who had families.

"It takes determination to get up in the morning and go to class knowing that after you're done you have to go work for eight hours so you can pay for your house," he said. "It takes determination to study for a test when you've got kids who want and need your attention."

He added that teachers can't teach determination.

"It's something that you have to work at and want. It is the difference between those who make it and those who don't," Richardson said.

While a Germanna student, Richardson spent 15 hours a week tutoring classmates in math, chemistry, music, biology, Spanish and English and still managed to earn a 3.9 grade point average. He was accepted into the honors engineering program at Virginia Tech and will begin there next fall, Germanna spokesman Mike Zitz said.

Last night, Germanna held its 39th graduation to award degrees and certificates to its largest graduating class so far--746 people.

The community college awarded associate degrees in fields such as business, education, nursing, police science and fire science technology.

It also awarded certificates in fields such as accounting, horticulture, phlebotomy and pharmacy technician, and recognized its middle college graduates.

Steve B. Jones, who earned an associate degree in business management from Germanna in 1979, served as commencement speaker.

After finishing his degree, he became a marketing representative for a Virginia Beach developer of industrial and office parks.

Four years later, he joined WJ Vakos and Co. as its facilities manager. He spent 22 years with Vakos, rising to the position of executive vice president before getting recruited by The Fried Companies in 2005 to serve as chief operating officer.

Jones, who lives in Spotsylvania County with his wife and two children, gave the graduates 10 tips for success.

He spoke of the need to show respect to people, the importance of a positive attitude each day, and said that honesty and integrity are crucial for success in the business world.

And, in a message consistent with the student speaker's, he said the graduates will need perseverance, especially for those seeking a job in today's economy.

"You're going to need to knock [on doors] till your knuckles bleed," Jones said.

And he told them that failing shouldn't defeat them but simply be a step in the journey.

"How you deal with failure will determine how you achieve success," he said.

Pamela Gould: 540/735-1972
Email: pgould@freelancestar.com