Show t Inspiration For or All r 3 iK sr 4 I PJ I I 9 ye 2 i Jf v 7 w 7 t tL c L r By Brian J. J Shaw Editor in Editor Chief Chief and Olga Faculty Editor The Salt Lake Community College annual Convocation was held heldon on Tuesday October 17 2001 at atthe atthe atthe the Lifetime Activities Center LAC at the Redwood Campus of the college The Salt Lake Community College system has a tradition of fall convocations to welcome faculty and students to a anew anew anew new school year It started in 1992 and successfully continued to the year 2001 This year however the convocation had a different touch to it thanks to the presence of the Chancellor of the Alabama College System Dr Fred J Gainous As a guest speaker Dr Gainous was invited to share his unique perspective of the system of higher education with the students students students stu stu- dents faculty and staff of the community Before a crowd of people in the the the-LAC LAC Student 0 Continued Page rage 2 Jp 4 r i- i ir r 1 Inspiration continued r V f r. r Body President Gabriela Bradford V set the the tone tone for foran an inspirational and special event He is such a ai i i delightful man we are really lucky to hear from him today said r d Bradford referring to Dr Gainous in her opening remarks Dr Gainous who has 3 comprehensive experience in community community com com- college programs served V previously as the Associate Vi Vice e 1 I President of St. St Petersburg Junior College Colleg in Florida and held positions positions positions at the Florida State L Department nt of Education as a coordinator of occupational prot pro- pro j t r. r grams and as as' asan an educational information y s mation center director At the Kansas Department of Education he was an assistant commissioner i for community colleges and vocational vocational vocational voca- voca education and holds a a doca doctorate doc- doc a 1 of education from the University of Florida Bradford continued her words of praise for Dr Gainous J and the campus community as she stood at the podium We are members of the community r the local community and the global glob- glob r al I community We match our 1 diversity with the states state's population population population tion as as' as asfar far as enrollment is concerned concerned concerned con con- she said J. J As Bradford c closed her remarks for the convocation session session ses ses' ses- ses sion she offered a brief statement of hope to the audience The gap between students staff and faculty has become smaller she said as the time was turned over to Shirlene Luke Faculty Organization President We are all together as an international college and were we're global citizens said Luke as she continued on the global theme pervasive per per- throughout convocation And as President H. H Lynn Cundiff introduced Dr Gainous his best friend of 16 years he recognize recognized recognized rec rec- Gainous as being one who puts student needs and their education education education tion first He wouldn't be here if he didn't care about you Cundiff intoned as he heaped words of praise and respect upon the keynote speaker and his best friend Were as close now as we were before said Cundiff imploring the audience comprised of many students from differing social and economic backgrounds to coni continue nue with their success both on and off of the campus The audi audience nce responded to the outgoing and jovial keynote speaker with much aplomb and fanfare and they clapped wildly as the charismatic educator took the podium for the first time Gainous said the students of were a source of inspiration inspiration inspiration tion to him will iII be for others what they cant can't be for themselves themselves themselves them them- selves he said is the source of inspiration and access to the American dream You can inspire others to greatness For a campus whose open-door open policy allows its students students students stu- stu dents an opportunity to aspire to i greater heights and is home to more than students spread across the Salt Lake valley and Tooele county the presence of an influential and successful educator such as Dr Gainous resonated in inthe inthe the opening remarks of Student Body President Gabriela Bradford In his speech Dr Gainous spoke extensively about the impact of the September attack on all American people and also the students Dr Gainous emphasized the importance importance tance of providing education to the the community to awake its greater awareness of the attack survivors or r those who died that tragic day You ought to love your country n. n now w a as nev never r before stressed t G u i C it Furthermore Dr G t Gainous-t 5 i j addressed students as the sj hope for the country He said You are in an unique place and time in history Secure love for fellow fellow fel- fel i low men follow humanity in deci- deci 1 sion-making sion eradicate hate with t J Jlove love dissolve defeat with victory and celebrate those who are different different differ- differ ent ent by embracing diversity jj Dr Gainous believes the educational process within the diverse and largely populated community community com com- such as of the is something to be emotional and passionate about h In his opinion students are the ones to be taken in a great consideration since they get valuable valuable valuable able knowledge through learning process and therefore benefit the country That's why Dr Gainous strives for the diversity and praise for its existence His personal educational educational educational edu edu- philosophy is to democratize democratize democratize educational process to over overcome come social economic and political cal barriers v Dr Gainous discussed topics topics topics top- top ics he strongly believed in during his speech at the annual annual annual annu- annu al convocation He brought up many important and timely issues i ifor for all American people His j speech was passionate and motivated moti- moti Jj 3 many people to strive for the gj same ideal of Dr Gainous for emotional commitment to be better better bet bet- ter fer and accept challenge A d L t I i l' l J ft s.- s. |