Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412190086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"We have extreme pride in her and her accomplishments," Rodney Scott said of his 22-year-old daughter, Stephanie Janelle Scott, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management. "We really consider ourselves blessed."
The Scotts, who were accompanied by 17 other family members and friends from as far away as Tampa, Fla., and California, sat poised with camera and video camcorders, and yelled Stephanie's name as she walked into Cassell Coliseum with the other graduates. Stephanie returned her family's excitement by jumping up and down and waving at them. Although her parents sat far away, near the top of the coliseum, Stephanie's smile was easy to see.
About 900 doctorate, master's and undergraduate students received diplomas at Saturday's ceremony. Virginia Tech professor Paul Antoine Distler of the performing arts department was elected by the students to speak at the ceremony, starting a tradition at the university of featuring a faculty member as speaker at all winter graduations.
Distler, an alumni distinguished professor, winner of the W.E. Wine Award for Teaching Excellence and known as the voice of Lane Stadium's pregame and halftime programs, encouraged the students to read, listen and be active participants in life.
"Expect rejection, but also expect to overcome rejection," Distler said. "And don't pursue your life's work for security ... but follow your heart."
If Stephanie Scott is an indication of the chance of rejection, graduates can rest easy. She was offered two jobs before graduation and has accepted a position with a consulting firm in Washington, D.C.
Finding a job, said Stephanie, "was more stressful than hard, because I was entering into new territory and I didn't know much about the interview process."
Virginia Tech prepared her well for the work force, Stephanie said, by offering on-campus employment-search services and teaching her interpersonal relations.
"Aside from the classes, I can now relate to people and be more assertive by asking for what I want and going after it," she said.
Later in the day, after the graduation ceremony was over, the entire Scott family helped Stephanie move out of the dorm where she was a resident hall assistant during college. It was there that Stephanie took a moment to reflect on what she would miss most about Virginia Tech.
"It'll be my friends, of course, and just the general college atmosphere," she said.
by CNB