Five prominent alumni and one former faculty member joined the VSCS Hall of Fame at the third annual celebration at Montpelier’s Capital Plaza last night. 300 guests included Governor Scott, former Governor Douglas, legislative leaders and members, VSCS Trustees and Presidents, students, faculty and staff. The event raised nearly $100,000 for scholarships.
Awardees spoke about how their college educations transformed their lives and careers. For Vermont Technical College’s Dale Miller ’82, an engineering degree supported career growth from shop janitor to Senior Location Executive of GlobalFoundries in Essex Junction. For Thato Ratsebe, a 2002 Community College of Vermont graduate and immigrant from Botswana, education eased her transition to life and work in the United States. David Silverman, the President of Union Bank, found his professional focus at Johnson State College in the early 1980s. Mark Valade, the President and CEO of Carhartt, Inc, expressed gratitude for his first exposures to business when he was a student at Lyndon State College. Jennifer Bagley was inspired to a lifetime of service to Castleton University, where she served on the faculty.
“Our alumni and students tell our story best – college is the most important lynchpin to upward mobility and personal success,” said Chancellor Jeb Spaulding in opening remarks.
Trustee Karen Luneau, who chaired the event, reminded guests that VSCS alumni are the backbone of Vermont’s workforce and its communities. “They make Vermont what it is today.”
George Cross, who won the Trustee’s Award for Extraordinary Contribution, graduated from Castleton in 1957 and has devoted his career to education and public service. “The Vermont State Colleges are critically important to the future of the State.”
Shavonna Bent, a senior at Northern Vermont University-Johnson, spoke on behalf of students who have received Hall of Fame scholarships. “Our colleges work with all students, regardless of where they come from, and give them what they need to succeed.”
The event was the third Hall of Fame celebration. A total of nearly $300,000 has been raised for student scholarships in three years. Scholarship contributions may be made to the VSC Foundation and further information about awardees is available at www.vsc.edu.
2018 VSCS Hall of Fame Honorees, from left:
Jennifer Bagley, Castleton University
David Silverman, Johnson State College Honoree
VT State Colleges System Chancellor Jeb Spaulding
Thato Ratsebe, Community College of Vermont Honoree
Dale Miller, Vermont Technical College Honoree
George Cross, Castleton University ’52, Trustees Award for Extraordinary Contribution
Photo credit: Karen Pike Photography