Darton State College awards diplomas to more than 300 graduates

ALBANY — More than 300 newly-minted graduate picked up degrees Thursday evening as Darton State College conducted its 2015 Spring Commencement exercise.

The new graduates came from eight different countries, 13 states and 92 of Georgia’s 159 counties and ranged in age from 17 to 74.

The majority of degrees awarded were in nursing, business administration and health services, and 73 percent of the new graduating students were female.

“You are proof that hard work pays off, but no journey is complete without its share of obstacles,” Darton Interim President Paul Jones said to the graduates. “We want to congratulate you on your accomplishments.”

The commencement speaker for the evening was Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital President and CEO Joel Wernick, who urged the graduates to have a vision for their futures.

“As I thought about what I would say tonight, I thought I would share some of the life lessons I have learned,” Wernick said. “I came up with three things that will help you succeed in life.”

The three keys, he said are experience, time and attitude.

“Find a mentor or advisor in your chosen field. Look for and seek to gain experience in your early jobs,” Wernick said. “Remember that experience is cumulative, and that variety is indeed the spice of life when it comes to experience. Time is the most valuable commodity on the face of the Earth. None of us know how much time we have here on Earth, but we can choose how we use it.

“Attitude is important. Growing up in Arkansas I played on rag-tag team that won a state football championship. We worked hard and believed in ourselves. Our coach believed in attitude. The person who wins is the one who thinks he can win.”

Wernick then urged the group to think about where they wanted to be in five, 10 and 20 years, and have a vision of how to reach those goals. “If you don’t have a vision you are flying blind.”

“Always keep in mind that the best things in life are free,” he said. “Honesty, integrity and a warm smile are always free; the list is endless. Accumulate as many of these free possessions as you can.”