Steele, speaking to the largest graduating class in the history of Mid-South Community College, encouraged students to work hard, dream big, and ignore critics.
“I’m here to tell you, the world is yours as it is mine, but we have much work to do,” said Steele, president and chief executive officer of Advantage Communications, Inc., of Little Rock. “Let this be the beginning...a life-changing event. Set goals for yourself, and set them twice as high as the person sitting next to you. Don’t be denied.”
Steele, who grew up in a public housing project in North Little Rock, told graduates to be more concerned about where they are going than where they started.
“I grew up in the projects…and I knew nothing different,” he pointed out. “Many said I had no chance. Many said I would never finish high school. Many said I would not finish college, and when I left high school, my classmates, particular my basketball mates, were wagering if I would last a semester. Shame on them.”
“There ain’t no limit because of where you’re from. If it happened with me and my family, it can happen to you. I am testimony. You can do whatever you want to do, but you have to believe in you.”
Steele, who didn’t make it through the first day of tryouts for the ninth-grade basketball team, played the game every day for the next eight years to make sure that wouldn’t happen again. He went on to star in high school and college and even played a season in the NBA.
While basketball opened some doors for him, it did not guarantee him success in the business world. Steele credited education and determination for propelling him to major corporate accomplishments with Coca-Cola and the business that he founded 10 years ago upon returning to Arkansas.
“Education is everything,” he said. “I learned at an early age that education was key…I did discover some magic. If you want to do something special, educate yourself.”
When Advantage Communications joined approximately 300 other firms in vying for the General Motors account, “My peers laughed at me,” Steele said. “They said, ‘Who would pick that agency?’ But we won here in Arkansas. Today we have the fastest growing advertising agency in the South.”
Steele encouraged students to be selective in their job searches.
“Don’t take the first job; take the best job,” he said. “And don’t take the job for money. Take the job for how it’s going to help you long term. Hold out; be patient; be disciplined, and you will be richly rewarded.”
The keynote speaker left the students with one final challenge.
“You need to pull someone along; you need to reach back and encourage someone else to graduate,” he said. “Each of you needs to go find a friend or a family member and bring them along this journey.”
Following the presentation, MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter awarded Steele an honorary Associate of Arts degree from MSCC.
More than 245 students from 19 cities and towns in Arkansas and Tennessee earned MSCC degrees and/or certificates.
Mid-South graduates with their degrees and honors are as follows:
(Note: AA stands for Associate of Arts in General Education; AAT denotes Associate of Arts in Teaching; AAS signifies Associate of Applied Science; TC represents Technical Certificate; and CP denotes Certificate of Proficiency. Graduation honors include cum laude, cumulative GPA of 3.25- 3.49; magna cum laude, 3.50-3.79; and summa cum laude, 3.80-4.00).
BARTLETT, Tenn. – Bobby J. Belote, CP, Machinist Technology Machine Attendant;
COLT – Michael Anthony Brimley, AAS Business Technology;
CRAWFORDSVILLE – Christian Allen Bloodworth, CP Welding; Cody Swepston Dupwe, CP Welding; Camellia Jackthenia Fowler, AA; Mabry Green, CP Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Kathena Evette Mathis, AAS Business Technology; John Currie Mestemacher, AAS Information Systems Technology, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair, CP Network Associate, magna cum laude; Yvette L. Thomas, AAS Renewable Energy Technology;
EARLE -- Annette Atkins, AAS Medical Assisting; Christen Brooke Dorrough, AA; Henry Lee Blockmon, AAS Information Systems Technology, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair, CP Network Associate; Racquel Monik Davis, CP Nursing Assistant; Rodney Conard Dotson, Jr., CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Kiah Abri Ferrell, CP Nursing Assistant; Morella Marcell Gary, CP Administrative Office Procedures; Brooke Lauren Ginn, AAT; Quiwana L. Johnson, CP Nursing Assistant; Destiny Aariana Jones, CP Renewable Energy Technology; Consuela Shantrell Kelly,
AAT; Paulette Lawson, AA, cum laude; China Leshai Mobley, CP Renewable Energy Technology; Kimberly Kiara Richardson, CP Nursing Assistant; Xavier G. Rogers, CP Machine Technology Machine Attendant; Jarnicka R. Thomas, CP Machine Technology Machine Attendant; Triniqueka Yvette Watson, AA; Randy Marquis Wilson, AA; Richard Louis Young, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance;
EDMONDSON -- Kimberly Desha Jones, TC Pharmacy Technology;
FORREST CITY – Christy Charie Gladney, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair;
GERMANTOWN -- Laura E. Brewer, AA;
HETH -- Melinda Faye Latham, AAS Business Technology, magna cum laude; Micheal Alan Stokes, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Kristy Lynn Wright, AAT;
HORSESHOE LAKE -- Amy Lynn Noles, AAS Medical Assisting, magna cum laude; Brandee Ann Sims, AA, magna cum laude;
HUGHES – Rhonda J. Butler, AA, AAT, magna cum laude; Nathaniel Johnson, AA; Ronald W. Poirier, CP Machine Technology Machinist 1; Mary Gail Scheving, AAS Medical Assisting, magna cum laude; Chris D. Sherrill, AA;
MARION -- Charles Justin Barfield, AA; Echo Darlene Barnett, AAS Business Technology, summa cum laude; Orline Adel Bowers, AAS Information Systems Technology, cum laude; Matthew Chism Brooks, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Anita Leshay Brown, AA; Demetrice M. Brown, CP Welding; Brenda Deloris Burnett, AA, magna cum laude; Mallory Paige Burnett, AA, magna cum laude; Holly Sue Carlo, AAS Information Systems Technology; Lynettra Ann Carter, AA; Rhonda June Carter, AA, summa cum laude; Christopher Seth Coopwood, AA; Heather Nicole Coveny, AA,
magna cum laude; Mary Ann Craft, AAT; Steven R. Crosthwait, AAS Information Systems Technology, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair, CP Network Associate; Kharmisha Shikita Cummings, CP Nursing Assistant; Katherine Ann Dagastino, AA, cum laude; Brian Michael Dail, AA; Teresa LaShay Dinwiddie, AA; Tommy Lee Finney, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Shannon Frasure, AA, magna cum laude; Regina Lynn Gains, AA, summa cum laude; Kyron Javon Galberth, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Anthony Austin Gilbert, AA, magna cum laude; Neil Gopal Govan, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Samantha JoAnn Graham, AA; Marcus Norman Hampton, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Roland D. Handy, AAS Information
Systems Technology, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair, CP Network Associate, cum laude; Aynia Michelle Howell, CP Administrative Office Procedures; Patsy Ruth Hughes, AA; Nikiki T. Jackson, AAT; Shaquita Monique Jackson, AA; Steven Brian Jones, AA, cum laude; Trakesha Rena Joshua, AAT, magna cum laude; Dereck D. Kirkwood, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Treshauna Lynell Lark, AAS Business Technology; Stephenie Blair LaRue, AAT; Alice Little, AA; Patricia Deann Mathews, AAT, cum laude; Larandis J. McClure, CP Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Frederick DeAngelo Miller, AAT; Thomas Wade Morris, CP.CIW; Amanda Brooke
Mott, AA, magna cum laude; Barbara A. Parker, AAS Business Technology; Cameron Matthew Peden, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; James Lee Pickens, CP Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Latrice Danielle Prewitt, AAS Medical Assisting, CP Phlebotomy, cum laude; Shantell Demetrius Rolfe-Mayo, AA; Renee Brown Saunders, AAT; Amy Lynn Saffell, AA; Kristy Kaye Simmons, AAS Medical Assisting; Austin Christopher Smith, AA; Jana Elizabeth Stoker, AA; Brandon Jerrod Sturdivant, AA; Tonya Diane Tunstall, AAS Business Technology, AAS General Technology, CP Administrative Office Procedures; Britney Michelle Uhiren, AAT; Michael Jeremy
Warren, AA; Jeannette Michelle Wells, AA, AAT, magna cum laude; Carolyn Marie West, AAS Medical Assisting, summa cum laude; William A. White, CP Chemical Plant Operations and Processes; Channel Chante’ Williams, AA; Kyle Vincent Williams, CP Machine Technology Machine Attendant; Christin Irene Michelle Young, AA, magna cum laude; September Lynn Young, AAT, magna cum laude;
MARKED TREE -- Angela Renee Gean, AA, magna cum laude; Kristi Lynn Loyd, AAT, summa cum laude;
MEMPHIS -- Jarius Patrick Ivery, CP Chemical Plant Operations and Processes; Toshiba Latura Jamison, AA; Louis Edward Mobley, III, AA; Lee M. Nixon, CP Machine Technology Machinist 1, CP Machine Technology Machine Attendant; Monica Dawn Nolen, AAT, magna cum laude; Quincy A. Smith, CP Chemical Plant Operations and Processes; Eric Wells, CP Chemical Plant Operations and Processes; Laurien Jeanene Williamson, AA;
PARKIN -- Tad Devell Wells, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance;
PROCTOR -- Jammie Dell Hester, AA, cum laude; Gloria Jean Inmon, AAS Business Technology; Nathaniel Stuart Lyles, TC Diesel Maintenance Technology; Claudia Angelica Meneses, CP Nursing Assistant; Brockrick Terrell Prackett, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Corwin Q. Suggs, CP Nursing Assistant; Moneshia Nicole Ward, AAS Medical Assisting;
TURRELL -- Warren M. Boyd, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Corina Person, AA;
TYRONZA -- Phillip Olan Burch, AAS Information Systems Technology, cum laude; KeTambe Yvette Lewis, AA; Aaron Tyler McCorkle, AA; Madison Rae McCorkle, AA;
WEST MEMPHIS -- Laura C. Akers, AAT; Veronica Louise Alexander, AA, magna cum laude; Tatyana Acquel Anderson, CP Nursing Assistant; Larry J. Arnold, CP Renewable Energy Technology; Courtney Lynn Bailey, AAS Business Technology, summa cum laude; Darvius R. Bailey, AA; Tonya Rena' Bailey, AA; Doyle Michael Ballard, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Cleopatra R. Barnes, AAS Business Technology; Reneashia Shariece Barnes, AA; Mario Maurice Bass, AA; Lanesha Shantel Boston, AAT, summa cum laude; Ina Alicia Brown, AA; Jasen Jerride' Brown, AAS Medical Assisting; Stacie Spencer Brown, AA, magna cum laude; Thomas Jamal Brown, CP Welding; Careasha Shavon Brown-Jackson, AA, CP Nursing Assistant; Manythia Tayana Caldwell, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair, CP Network Associate; David Craig Closs, AAS Information Systems Technology, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair, CP Network Associate, summa cum laude; Margaret A. Cummings, AA; Cody G. Daniel, CP Welding; Jalen B. Davis, CP Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Debbie Denise Dear, CP Nursing Assistant; Stephen Shaquille Dorsey, CP Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Jessica Benae Dove, CP Nursing Assistant; Edna M. Earley, AAS Medical Assisting, magna cum laude; Melonie Shunta Evans, AA; Mahogany R. Farmer, CP Nursing Assistant; Jodi Ann Ferguson, AA; Kayla Nicole Fisher, AAS Business Technology, magna cum laude; Devan Alexander Wayne Fowler, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Jennifer Michelle Geter, AAT; Stacey L. Gilchrist, AA, cum laude; Cecil M. Gilley III, TC Aviation Airframe Maintenance Technology; Jeannetta Crayton Gilliam, AA; Erica Grace Graham, AA; Nicole Lutrice Granger, AA; Alyson Leanne Gray, AA, summa cum laude; Kierra Dominique Gray, CP Nursing Assistant; Candise Patisha Greene, AA; Lauren Elise Hardin, AA; Laquisha Chanta Hamilton, AA, magna cum laude; Ashlyn Taylor Haney, AA; Dedra Marie Stegall Harris, AAS Business Technology; Julie J. Hart, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Aundra Dakemian Hawkins Jr., CP Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Raneisha A. Hopkins, CP Nursing Assistant; Ashley Nicole Humphrey, AA; Ciara D. Ingram, CP Nursing Assistant; Ro'darriyent R. Jacobs, CP Machine Technology Machine Attendant; Genesis Johnson, CP Nursing Assistant; Fenita Ann Jones, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Kavon Chevannes Lewis, CP Renewable Energy Technology; Verlene Faye Jones, AA; Denita Lofton, AA; Jerrica Queensha Macklin, AA, cum laude; William Cody Marrs, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Frank J. McCauley, AA; Kesha Michelle McClure, AAS Business Technology; Annette Pennington McCollum, AAT, summa cum laude; Melinda Leigh McDaniel, AAS Business Technology, summa cum laude; Crissy Lynn McGee, AAT, magna cum laude; Batasha Cherrelle McNeely, AA, cum laude; Dekesha Tabrina McNeill, AA, cum laude Valerie M. Miller, AAS Business Technology, cum laude; Vickie Lynn Moore, AA; Moniqua Chanel Morgan, CP Nursing Assistant; David V. Murray Jr., AAS Business Technology; Johnathan Antonio Nathan, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Dominique Sabre' Neal, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Tenisha Shunta Neal, CP Nursing Assistant; Carnelius Cortez Neely, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Kathryn Lynn Oswalt, AAT; CP Nursing Assistant; April Allan Paige, AAT; Allison Nicole Parker, AAS Medical Assisting, summa cum laude; Renatia Rushea Parker, CP Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Princess Dianna Parnell, AA; Shital Chandu Patel, AA, summa cum laude; Jelessa LaNira Perry, CP Nursing Assistant; Carolyn Jones Phillips, AAS General Technology; Danielle Cantrell Lovette Pickins, AA; Gena Rand, CP Welding; Ida F. Reeves, AAS Business Technology, summa cum laude; Brianna C. Reynolds, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Latasha Latrice Richman, CP Phlebotomy; Timothy Allan Rickman, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Kathleen Gwin Robertson, AA, magna cum laude; Norman L. Robinson, AAS General Technology, magna cum laude; Sharon Nicole Rucker, AA, summa cum laude; Stephanie Michelle Selph, AA, CP Nursing Assistant, cum laude; Quaneshia Chaniqua Le'Shay Shavers, CP Nursing Assistant; Pamela Elishia Shelley, AAT, magna cum laude; Joshua Ray Sims, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Tess Veronica Smith-Jackson, AAT, cum laude; Sandra Delisha Southern, AAT; Jonelle Rae Spicer, AA, magna cum laude; Cameron Diquan Thomas, CP Microcomputer Upgrade and Repair; Jeanine Tiggs, AA, cum laude; Tanetrius R. Udell, CP Machine Technology Machine Attendant; Jennifer Anne Wallace, AA; Bryant Christopher Warhurst, AA; Burney Clifton Warren, AA, cum laude; Kathydra Dequita Washington, AA; Wendy
Reane Weast, AAS Business Technology; Nina Larkin Weeden, AA, magna cum laude; Dijon Miqueal White, CP Welding; Shenetra Nicola White, CP Nursing Assistant; Neicole M. Whitiker, AAS Business Technology; Claudette Yvonne Williams, AA; Corine Magnolia Williams, AAS Business Technology, cum laude; Daniel R. Williams, CP Heavy Truck Diesel Maintenance; Tyra Rachel Williams, CP Nursing Assistant; Sha'Ron Ramone Woods, CP Welding; Calvin Lee Wordlaw II, AA; Alexus T. Wortheam, CP Advanced Manufacturing Technology; Jozetta Naqeba Wright, AA;
WYNNE -- Tiffany Leigh Reed, AAS Business Technology.
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