Wor-Wic Community College holds commencement for class of 2023
Image: Wor-Wic Community College
SALISBURY, Md. – Former Salisbury Mayor and current Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development Jake Day addressed Wor-Wic Community College gaduates.
Day encouraged graduates to be open to the possibilities that await them.
“If you wish to make things happen – whatever your wish may be – don’t be timid in your vision,” Day said. “But to my point: Falling in love with your ideas and your plans means you run the risk of not opening yourself to learning. For the plans you’ve made today and the perfect idea you have in this moment doesn’t have the benefit of tomorrow’s information. There’s one more risk to falling deeply in love with your ideas today … not only will it stunt your willingness to learn new information, but it can stop you from believing that the rest of humanity may have something to offer you. This world is beautiful because we each have something to teach each other – thanks to all of our differences,” said Day.
He also noted that, as a Salisbury native, he had experienced many milestones of his own at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center, and said he was glad to return for the occasion.
“I’m struck by this moment in the history of Wor-Wic because I get to share a stage with the tenacious and focused leader who has left his indelible mark on this institution — the gentleman, the leader, the visionary — your president for the last 23 years, Dr. Ray Hoy. Twenty-three years ago, as I was graduating high school in this very room, Dr. Ray Hoy was becoming only the second leader of this institution. A dream without a classroom became a vision in a cornfield. And rather than stopping there, it has grown into a beautiful and proud cornerstone of our community.”
College President Dr. Ray Hoy presented Day with a plaque on behalf of the 2023 graduating class. Hoy is retiring on June 30th and took a moment to reflect on his final commencement, saying, “Being part of the celebration of your success and all of those before you has honestly been the most rewarding part of my job.”
Additionally, Martin T. Neat, member of Wor-Wic’s Board of Trustees, introduced the commencement speaker, members of the Board of Trustees, and other guests on stage. Dr. Bryan Newton, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services introduced the student speak, Amber Bloomfield, who received her associate degree in criminal justice – forensic science technology and has been accepted into a bachelor’s degree program for crime scene investigation.
Officials say nursing was the most popular major among the class of 2023, with general studies being the second most popular major. Other graduates received degrees or certificates in business, chemical dependency counseling, computer students, education, emergency medical services, hotel-motel-restaurant management, occupational therapy assistant, office technology, physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology, and STEM.
