Walter Presswood
Approximately 500 degrees and certificates will be awarded during Cleveland State Community College’s 51st Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m. in the L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium.
“Nothing is more satisfying or rewarding to an educator than to see students learn, grow and reach their potential,” stated Dr. Bill Seymour, CSCC president. “They are why we are here. Each one has strengthened us and inspired us to continue the mission for decades to come.”
There will be two keynote speakers for Saturday’s ceremony—Walter Presswood and Anna McDade. Mr. Presswood was in the first graduating class of Cleveland State Community College in 1969, and McDade will graduating with the class of 2016 on Saturday.
After receiving his associate degree from Cleveland State, Mr. Presswood went on to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in English-Journalism from Tennessee Technological University and his Master of Science in Journalism from West Virginia University.
Mr. Presswood spent 19 years on the staff at Cleveland State—serving as instructor of English, Speech and Journalism, director of Institutional Advancement, executive director of the Cleveland State Foundation and served as the college’s principal spokesman for 16 years. He was elected four terms to the Bradley County Board of Education where he served as chairman for eight years. He was instrumental in the formation of five local education-related non-profit foundations—Cleveland State, Kiwanis Club, Polk County Education Foundation, Gibson Woods Foundation and the Bradley - Cleveland Public Education Foundation.
He was the recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award, Distinguished Faculty Award and Distinguished Alumnus Award at Cleveland State. He was also the first president of the student body and first editor of the student newspaper at Cleveland State. He is past President of the Cleveland Kiwanis Club and represented the Cleveland Rotary Club on a group study exchange trip to India, where he met Mother Teresa.
He and his wife, Sheila, have two children and two grandchildren. Both his wife and his son are Cleveland State graduates, as well. Currently, he is a small business owner of Presswood Antiques in Cleveland, and he is a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church.
Ms. McDade is a 2012 graduate of East Henderson High School in East Flat Rock, North Carolina. Since enrolling at Cleveland State, she has taken an active role in many clubs and organizations on campus. She is a member of the Chemistry Society, Student Ambassadors, Supplemental Instruction Leader where she tutored students in Biology, a peer advisor helping high risk students navigate through their first year of college, a senator for Student Senate and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) President.
During her time with PTK, McDade was chosen as an All-American Team Scholar at the Regional Convention and was also chosen as the recipient of the Bronze Scholar award through Coca-Cola and the Community College Academic Team. Ms. McDade has been able to balance all of these extracurricular activities while still maintaining a 3.7 G.P.A.
When she is not at school or studying, she enjoys volunteering at her church, First Baptist Church of Cleveland, where she serves as a Team Leader. She and her husband, William, enjoy rock climbing and going to jump parks. She also enjoys traveling and toured Ireland as a part of Cleveland State’s international studies program in 2015. Ms. McDade plans to transfer to Lee University to pursue her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in the fall.
For those who are unable to attend the commencement ceremony, it will also be broadcast live online through the Cleveland State website at www.clevelandstatecc.edu. It will be archived and can be viewed later by visiting the website.
Anna McDade