CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Earning a college degree is a huge accomplishment in life. Having a college education can bring rewarding opportunities in both military and civilian life. Being able to balance a class schedule while being in the military is even more impressive.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune held the 7th annual Commanding General’s Graduation Ceremony aboard MCB Camp Lejeune June 1 to recognize active duty, reserve or retired service members, and family members of military personnel who earned their degree during the 2011 2012 academic year.
The ceremony was held at the Base Theater, and parents, friends and colleagues filled the seats to watch hard work get recognized by MCB Camp Lejeune, represented by Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Gorry, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations East – MCB Camp Lejeune.
Gorry was the keynote speaker and delivered the commencement address for the ceremony. He commended the graduates for their hard work, and for being able to balance work, family and school. He described it as “no easy feat” to go back to school, instead of attending college right after high school.
More than 100 graduates were in attendance, representing American Military University, Boston University, Campbell University, Coastal Carolina Community College, Craven Community College, Southern Illinois University, University of North Carolina Wilmington, University of Phoenix and Webster University.
The graduates were awarded their diplomas at their individual school’s graduations, but were recognized by the Base’s senior leadership during the Commanding General’s Graduation Ceremony. Gorry shook hands with every graduate as they crossed the stage in the joint-graduation ceremony.