LOUISBURG, N.C.—Louisburg College is pleased to announce that Dr. Randy Bridges, a 1977 graduate of the College, will deliver this year’s commencement address on Friday, May 2, 2014, at 5:00pm in the Frances Boyette Dickson Auditorium of the Seby B. Jones Performing Arts Center (JPAC).
Bridges served for two years as the superintendent of the Stafford County Public Schools in Stafford, Virginia, and was the first African American to hold that position in the county. In 2013, he moved back to his home state of North Carolina and served as interim superintendent of the Franklin County School System; he is currently serving as interim superintendent of the Scotland County School System. Previously, Bridges has held the position of superintendent for the Alamance-Burlington School District (Burlington, NC); Rock Hill School District Three (Rock Hill, SC); and Orange County Schools (Hillsborough, NC).
Throughout his career, Bridges has earned several awards, including North Carolina Association of Educators Superintendent of the Year in 2002 and 2010.
Bridges began his pursuit of higher education at Louisburg College, where he earned an Associate of Arts. From there, he earned a Bachelor of Science in education from East Carolina University; a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education and a Master of Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke; and a Doctorate of Education from Fayetteville State University.
On graduation day, the College will host a special Graduates’ Breakfast at 9:00am in the Duke Dining Center, after which time the graduates will be issued caps and gowns and then gather for a formal portrait on the steps of Main building.
At 3:00pm, the College’s Office of Spiritual Life will hold a Baccalaureate Service at Louisburg United Methodist Church (LUMC), located at 402 North Main Street. The Reverend Dr. David S. Melton, senior pastor of West Market Street United Methodist Church (Greensboro, NC), will deliver the sermon.
Melton is a member of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, and has served churches throughout Western North Carolina. He received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School, and a Doctor of Divinity from High Point University.
Music for the service will be provided by LUMC Pianist (and College staff member) Phyllis Ihrie, organist Alan Davis, and Louisburg College Instructor of Music Angela Adkins.
Graduates will line up for procession in Main Building at 4:00pm (faculty, staff, and members of the stage party will gather in the Main Lobby at 4:30pm). The group will be led by bagpiper Bruce C. Wright as they walk from the steps of Main across campus to the JPAC. Commencement will begin at 5:00pm, with a reception immediately following in the JPAC’s Holt Lobby.
About Louisburg College
Related by faith to The United Methodist Church, Louisburg College is the oldest two-year residential college in the nation, and the only one in North Carolina. With a student body of 700 students, over 90 percent of Louisburg graduates continue their education at four-year schools. Learn more at www.louisburg.edu.