Collegiate Experience Provides Fuel, Connections for Launching Careers
The messages came from a 1982 graduate of the college and one of this spring’s graduates.
David C. Morgan, executive vice president and chief banking officer of Capital Bank, spoke of his own ‘start of career’ experiences as he presented the first ‘Friend of the College’ remarks to the graduating class. Morgan, who has a bachelor’s degree in business management, served two years as chair of the college’s Board of Advisors and continues to serve as a board member. His presentation Saturday gave him a chance to experience the commencement ceremony that he skipped back in ’82.
Morgan told the gathering that he “was so excited to graduate that I went straight to the beach to celebrate and skipped my graduation (ceremony). I’ve had so many nightmares thinking I didn’t graduate because I missed the grand finale, so I commend you for being here; you’ll be glad you came.”
He explained that a stop at an ATM machine on his way to the beach ended up launching his career, thanks to the NC State alumni network. He said, “While I was in my home town of Elizabethtown, N.C., getting $10 out of the ATM machine for my big weekend – as an unemployed graduate – the city executive asked me what I was doing ‘now that you’ve graduated’.” Morgan replied that he had no idea, but that he did like banking.
That conversation led to an interview in Raleigh with a human resources director – an NC State grad – who offered him a job that launched his career. “That’s when I first realized what a huge advantage I had graduating from such a respected university with a tremendous alumni base,” he said. Over the years, members of his Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity have become “some of my best bank customers, peers and associates.”
Before tapping a collegiate network, though, students have to work hard, he said. Reflecting on his own college days, he said that in his freshman year, he was “determined to make it through at least basketball season, so I studied hard and actually became a decent student. That was my first real lesson – and one that I believe you already know because you are here today – that just because you were accepted to State doesn’t mean you were entitled to a degree; you had to earn it. That’s also true for the business world. Just because you land that first job doesn’t mean you’re entitled to keep it or earn that next promotion. You must outperform others and earn your way to success.”
The college’s student commencement address, presented by Christina Michelle Moss, carried a similar theme about the value of an NC State College of Management degree.
Reflecting on typical collegiate learning experiences – from how to navigate across campus to group projects and other course assignments – Moss said, “These things … have united us as a class by allowing us to share great experiences that will truly last us a lifetime.”
She noted the college’s focus on providing students with “real experiences – internships, international experiences and practical education” has prepared its students “for what lies ahead in the corporate world. … Now it is our time to use everything that we have learned and experienced for our careers and our future employers.
Noting that the college, established in 1992, is younger than the graduates attending the ceremony, she said that it has had to distinguish itself from other, more established institutions.
“With progressive curricula, excellent faculty and supportive programs, our young college has accomplished more than its seasoned counterparts,” she said. “Similar to our (young) college, we are graduating during a time where we are not just competing with other recent graduates but (also) with experienced professionals. We need not view this as a problem but rather as the fuel needed to go out into the world and succeed, just as our college succeeded.”
Reflecting on the current economy, Moss said, “It is a difficult job market. But one thing we have learned here in the College of Management is how to adapt to many situations and obstacles, and that is what we must do now.” Quoting President Barack Obama, she said, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek.”
“Graduates, the power is now in our hands to go out and show the world the practical education we have acquired. … to fight through difficult times (and) life’s obstacles with termination and perseverance. This is what it means to be in the Wolfpack family. This fight is in our blood and we must carry it into every aspect of our lives, including our careers,” she said.
“One thing that comes with education is the ability and the desire to learn, and we have received that at this great institution. It is okay to be nervous and anxious about what your next steps will be and what the future holds, but never give up the tenacity, determination and perseverance that you learned here at NC State and within the College of Management,” she said.
Quoting Martin Luther King, she concluded saying, “‘Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.’ Well, I am here to confirm that that is exactly what we have received here at NC State: a true sustainable education that will continue to foster success for many years to come. … Go Wolfpack!”
Moss is from Creedmoor, NC, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. While studying at the NC State College of Management, Moss served as president of the Society of African American Corporate Leaders, secretary of the College of Management Student Ambassadors and member of University Ambassadors. She participated in the INROADS internship program for outstanding undergraduate students, completing a two-year internship with Cisco Systems and a one-year internship with Ikon Office Solutions. She also organized a canned food drive for the Durham Rescue Mission through INROADS. In addition to her NC State service and campus involvement, Moss has actively served the community, including volunteering for the Boys and Girls Club and as a middle school math tutor for Upper Room Christian Academy.
